There are over 4,123,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 1,329,799 confirmed cases across the country. The global total number of deaths stands at 283,055, and the United States’ at 79,528. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
As of Monday morning, Virginia had 24,081 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 3,211 people hospitalized, 839 deaths and 141,936 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 5,892 to date, with 923 hospitalized and 239 deaths. Arlington has reported 1,368 cases with 260 hospitalized and 61 deaths. Alexandria has 1,193 cases with 139 hospitalized and 30 deaths. Loudoun County has 1,159 cases with 115 hospitalized and 30 deaths and Prince William County has 3,241 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 318 hospitalized and 52 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 62,940 in the DMV on Thursday morning. Maryland reported 32,587 cases, Virginia reported 24,081 and Washington, DC reported 6,272. The death toll has reached a total of 2,806, with 1,644 in Maryland, 839 in Virginia and 323 in DC. (Virginia Department of Health; Maryland Department of Health; Stay Home DC!)
Local
In a joint letter written by the local leaders of Northern Virginia’s five largest jurisdictions, the region made it clear to Gov. Ralph Northam that it is not ready (and unwilling) to lift restrictions, which are likely being lifted in Phase 1 across the commonwealth starting Friday, May 15. (The Washington Post)
Local
Hospitals in the DMV now say they are equipped to handle a surge of COVID-19 cases after spending millions of dollars over the last two months to gather protective gowns, masks and other necessary equipment. “We feel very good here about where we are right now,” said Inova President J. Stephen Jones, whose system includes five Northern Virginia hospitals. “We have been able to keep comfortably under this region’s capability to handle the number of cases.” With the region’s residents following social distancing orders, the slight slow rise in cases (rather than large spike overwhelming hospitals) allowed time to gather supplies and plan accordingly. (The Washington Post)
Local
WMATA is discussing a new service plan, with no expectations of getting back to pre-pandemic levels until next spring. The company is already planning to continue limited service to the start of the school year, and is now aiming to rely heavily on elected leaders, federal officials, military brass and chief executives to keep passenger numbers low so rail cars and buses don’t become dangerously crowded and worsen the spread of infection, according to The Washington Post. WMATA is also hoping to reach local employers to encourage staggering work schedules and encouraging more telework to avoid high numbers of daily morning and evening commuters. (The Washington Post)
National
Two top economic advisors in the White House are projecting that the country’s unemployment rate is likely to reach 20% in the coming months, reaching far higher than what has been the worst numbers since The Great Depression. (The Washington Post)
National
Two West Wing staffers in the White House have tested positive for COVID-19, one being a personal valet for President Trump, and the other Mike Pence’s spokeswoman, Katie Miller. Some of the country’s top officials have decided to self-quarantine for two weeks while others plan to continue to report to work, including Vice President Mike Pence and Anthoney Fauci, the leader of the National Institute Of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (The Washington Post)
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