There are currently 5,019,676 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 1,551,853 confirmed cases across the country. The global total number of deaths stands at 328,565, and the United States’ at 93,439. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
As of Thursday morning, Virginia had 32,908 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 3,979 people hospitalized, 1,074 deaths and 210,965 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 8,163 to date, with 1,133 hospitalized and 302 deaths. Arlington has reported 1,728 cases with 334 hospitalized and 81 deaths. Alexandria has 1,577 cases with 169 hospitalized and 34 deaths. Loudoun County has 1,579 cases with 146 hospitalized and 49 deaths and Prince William County has 4,960 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 462 hospitalized and 88 deaths. You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Regional
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, tallied in at 81,125 in the DMV on Thursday morning. Maryland reported 41,546 cases, Virginia reported 32,145 and Washington, DC reported 7,434. The death toll has reached a total of 3,522, with 2,081 in Maryland, 1,041 in Virginia and 400 in DC. (Virginia Department of Health; Maryland Department of Health; Stay Home DC!)
Local
On May 20, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that he does not yet have a solid decision on whether or not Northern Virginia should be allowed to enter phase one of reopening starting on May 29. Northam originally delayed the five jurisdictions (Arlington County, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County) by a minimum of two weeks after the rest of the state began reopening on May 15. NoVA continues to have 50% to 55% of the state’s total number of new cases, and accounts for 40% of the state’s population. In addition, no timeline has been made for letting the state enter phase two of reopening. (Inside NoVA)
Local
Loudoun County is considering three possible situations for public school students returning in the fall: “Decisions regarding when and how to reopen school, and whether to extend distance learning will be condition-based, not time-based. Predefined, science-based metric and reopening metrics articulated by public health officials and other government authorities will guide our decisions,” said Loudoun County Superintendent Eric Williams. The three plans include students returning to 100% capacity with in-person learning, schools could reopen with a mix of remote learning and in-person learning and finally extended distance learning without in-person learning. (WTOP)
Local
Arlington is planning to give away free face masks to its most vulnerable populations, according to a report by ARLNow. The plan is to encourage a wider use of face masks rather than making the practice a mandate. “We’re going to be setting up locations across the county where people who do not have masks could go and get them if needed,” said County Manager Mark Schwartz, adding that more details will be released next week. (ARLNow)
Local
George Mason University has announced the school will raise tuition prices in the fall, despite the coronavirus pandemic. The school’s Board of Visitors voted on Wednesday in a sweeping majority (15-1) to raise tuition $450 for in-state and out-of-state students, and adopt a new $1.18 billion budget. The tuition hike is significantly lower than what the university had originally planned before the pandemic. (WTOP)
Regional
DMV-based summer camps are being canceled left and right, including Fairfax County and Arlington County, and Loudoun County delaying the decision until the region enters phase one of reopening. Maryland-based camps are also being canceled, with Prince George’s County and Montgomery County also canceling all summer programming. (WTOP)
Regional
DC-based Children’s National Hospital has announced it is treating 23 patients for the pediatric inflammatory disease linked to COVID-19. Three cases have been confirmed for the nation’s capital, one for Virginia, and an additional three in Maryland. The illness, known as a multi-symptom inflammatory illness, causes organ failure, persistent fever, low blood pressure and even a rash on hands and feet. It was first reported in New York City, which has treated over 100 children for the disease, and was linked to the death of a 15-year-old in Baltimore County earlier this week. (The Washington Post)
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