There are over 3,524,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and over 7,053,000 have been tested in the United States, with 1,153,000 confirmed cases across the country. The global total number of deaths stands at 247,752, and the United States’ at 67,222. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 18,671 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 2,627 people hospitalized, 660 deaths and 107,204 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 4,340 to date, with 739 hospitalized and 184 deaths. Arlington has reported 1,106 cases with 194 hospitalized and 46 deaths. Alexandria has 899 cases with 109 hospitalized and 26 deaths. Loudoun County has 931 cases with 95 hospitalized and 16 deaths, and Prince William County has 2,374 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 241 hospitalized and 32 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 49,149 in the DMV on Monday morning. Maryland reported 25,462 cases, Virginia reported 18,671 and Washington, DC reported 5,016. The death toll has reached a total of 2,093, with 1,182 in Maryland, 660 in Virginia and 251 in DC. (Virginia Department of Health; Maryland Department of Health; Stay Home DC!)
Local
Over the weekend, Virginia recorded 44 deaths from COVID-19 from Saturday into Sunday, and Fairfax County saw the highest single-day increase since the start of the outbreak with 31 fatalities. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff C. McKay (D-At Large) warned that the county is “in the exponential growth phase of our epidemic curve” and said residents could expect to see cases and deaths increase for several more weeks, according to a report by The Washington Post. (The Washington Post)
Statewide
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has been hearing from residents and business owners who want restrictions eased moving forward, with Northam’s nonessential business closure order scheduled to expire on Friday, May 8. The governor has said he will be reevaluating that date today, and announce his decision on whether or not to extend the ban. (The Washington Post)
Local
On Sunday, May 3, the Virginia Department of Health announced that a majority of Alexandria’s death toll (now tallying up to 26 deaths) has come from long-term care facilities. The Virginia Department of Health has reported eight reported outbreaks of the virus in the city, six occurring in long-term care facilities, one that occurred in an educational setting and another at a “congregate” setting. Alexandria is home to five skilled nursing and four assisted living facilities, according to ALX Now. (ALX Now)
Local
Arlington County has seen a 50% increase in the use of the county’s trail system in the past few weeks, according to BikeArlington. But the organization is insisting residents follow social distancing guidelines and avoid crowded trails. (ARL Now)
Regional
As DMV residents continue to find alternate sources for groceries than just their neighborhood store, Silver Diner is supporting their partnered local farms by offering boxes of fresh produce, dairy products and butchered meat in pick-up boxes. Much like Community Supported Agriculture partnerships (CSAs), the company is offering the boxes for pickup at various Silver Diner locations for residents to have access to fresh food, and to support the farms producing it. Last week, more than 400 were sold within the first two hours of availability, and this week, more than 800 have already been claimed. (WTOP)
Regional
In pre-pandemic days, Soapbox, a Georgetown-based shampoo and soap company, fulfilled around 150,000 monthly orders. But since it’s started taking requests to make hand sanitizer, the company’s orders have spiked to 7 million. In addition to the production increase of the company’s hand sanitizer, it has also donated the same number of sanitation products to organizations like Clean the World, Feeding America and Eco-Soap Bank to promote health and hygiene to those who can’t afford it or don’t have access, according to WTOP. The donations have been split with 50% in the United States and 50% abroad. (WTOP)
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.