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Coronavirus in the DMV: May 18

The coronavirus impact on the DMV continues to grow. Here are the updates for May 18

WASHINGTON — The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the DMV, leading to unprecedented changes to our everyday life to reduce the disease.

THIS STORY IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.

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Monday, May 18:

  • More than 1,000 people received free coronavirus tests at Prince William County's testing site. 
  • Fairfax County releases first draft of plan to bring students back to classrooms

RELATED: Fairfax County Public Schools lays out plan for transitioning students back to in-person learning

  • Gov. Ralph Northam announced he would reopen public beaches in Virginia Beach during his Monday press briefing.
  • DC had its first slight uptick in its 7-day average after 8 consecutive days of decline. The District is still on a downward trend overall.
  • Also in the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented her Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal to the city council on Monday.  

RELATED: Mayor Bowser calls for pay freezes for 37,000 DC workers over the next 4 years

  • Virginia shows signs of "bending" the curve. Prior to May 4, the commonwealth had seen a more or less uninterrupted period of growth in cases reported each day. Since then, while daily cases are up overall, that growth has noticeably flattened out.
  • That being said, Virginia still isn't anywhere near its goal of 10,000 COVID-19 tests per day, and the number of tests being reported has declined for three days straight.
  • Maryland reports a single-day increase of 958 new coronavirus cases in the state. Health officials report 27 additional deaths as a result of the virus. 1,903 people have died in Maryland due to coronavirus. There are now 39,762 cases in the state.
  • D.C. health officials report 147 new positive cases of coronavirus and 9 additional deaths as a result of the virus.
  • Virginia health officials report 752 new cases of coronavirus in the commonwealth, and 5 additional deaths.

Sunday, May 17:

  • Prince William County announces free testing sites.

RELATED: FREE TESTING: Here's where you can get tested for coronavirus in Prince William County

  • American Vets (AMVETS) announces their 'Rolling to Remember' rally for Memorial Day is now going to be virtual.
  • The District reports 81 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 7,123 cases. Eight DC residents have died since the weekend began. 
  • Maryland sees the lowest hospitalization numbers in the state for the last three weeks for a total of 1,463.
  • In Virginia, fewer than 10 deaths were reported in the commonwealth in the last day, bringing the total 1,009.

Read previous updates here.

Updates on coronavirus cases come from health departments between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. every day.  


What precautions should you take?

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Check the status of the virus in your state with your state health department's websites by tapping below:

RELATED: CDC alerts doctors to childhood coronavirus-related syndrome

RELATED: Reopening Loudoun: 3 county supervisors are urging Northam to open western districts ASAP

RELATED: Multiple COVID-19 deaths at Fairfax nursing home, doctor asks for all patients to be tested

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