There are over 3,057,900 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and over 5,593,495 have been tested in the United States. The global total number of deaths stands at 211,894. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 13,535 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 2,066 people hospitalized, 458 deaths and 80,180 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 3,002 to date, with 522 hospitalized and 100 deaths. Arlington has reported 836 cases with 144 hospitalized and 32 deaths. Alexandria has 627 cases with 79 hospitalized and 18 deaths. Loudoun County has 628 cases with 78 hospitalized and 12 deaths, and Prince William County has 1,568 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 171 hospitalized and 23 deaths. You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Local
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the DMV reached 36,958 as of Tuesday morning, with 13,535 cases in Virginia, 19,502 in Maryland and 3,896 in Washington, DC. The death toll has reached 952 in Maryland, 458 in Virginia and 186 in DC, for a total of 1,602 fatalities. (The Washington Post)
What do all of these new numbers mean in terms of flattening the curve?
Gov. Ralph Northam, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland and DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser are all in agreement that the region needs to see a consistent, 14-day decline in the number of deaths and hospitalizations for COVID-19 before social distancing restrictions are eased. As of Tuesday morning, officials in the region agreed that they have not seen the downward trend in new cases or hospitalization rates that would allow for restrictions to be eased. (The Washington Post)
Need to know
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new list of common symptoms for the novel coronavirus amidst frequent reports from patients who tested positive for COVID-19. The symptoms, which could appear up to 14 days after exposure to the virus, include chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell. The previously known three common symptoms are cough, fever and shortness of breath. (CDC)
Local
Sanitation, waste and recycling companies are under strain in the entire region of Northern Virginia as many “spring clean” their homes and purge an excess of unwanted items. “Most of the jurisdictions are reporting a huge increase in trash and major waste generation from our households. Since stay-at-home orders were put in place, some have recorded 30% to 40% increases in the overall waste that is set out,” said environmental planner Debbie Spiliotopoulos, of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. “It’s a huge burden on the waste collections systems.” (WTOP)
Regional
Increased testing in Virginia is Gov. Ralph Northam’s goal as the commonwealth moves forward in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The commonwealth is currently testing up to 4,000 people a day, with a goal of reaching 10,000 people a day. Virginia received a recent shipment of testing swabs from FEMA, and local universities are helping with testing, as well as private labs and in-house hospital labs. (WTOP)
Regional
Poultry plants in Virginia are seeing an uptick in cases, specifically at 10 locations in the Shenandoah Valley and the Eastern Shore, forcing Gov. Ralph Northam to respond by helping the companies control the spread. “These poultry plants are a vital part of food supply on the Eastern Shore in Virginia,” Northam said. “I am very concerned.” (WTOP)
Regional
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser has enlisted the help of well-known celebrities to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the nation’s capital. She has called upon Michelle Obama and celebrity chef Jose Andres, with the former first lady recording robo-calls to encourage residents to stay home. (The Washington Post)
The spread of COVID-19 continues to impact the Northern Virginia region on a daily basis. If you’re looking for ways to stay entertained at home, check out our Things to Do page, and stay up to date by subscribing to our weekly newsletters.
