There are currently 9,273,773 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 2,347,102 confirmed cases across the country. The global total number of deaths stands at 477,807, and the United States’ at 121,225. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
As of Wednesday morning, Virginia had 58,994 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 5,913 people hospitalized, 1,645 deaths and 565,835 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 13,579 to date, with 1,570 hospitalized and 445 deaths. Arlington has reported 2,431 cases with 414 hospitalized and 126 deaths. Alexandria has 2,248 cases with 239 hospitalized and 49 deaths. Loudoun County has 3,632 cases with 255 hospitalized and 84 deaths and Prince William County has 8,745 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 769 hospitalized and 155 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 134,095 in the DMV on Wednesday morning. Maryland reported 65,007 cases, Virginia reported 58,994 and Washington, DC reported 10,094. The death toll has reached a total of 5,145, with 2,963 in Maryland, 1,645 in Virginia and 537 in DC. (Virginia Department of Health; Maryland Department of Health; Stay Home DC!)
Local
Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Tuesday that Virginia will enter phase three on July 1, with the option for counties and jurisdictions to delay the third phase of reopening if needed. The new phase will allow gatherings of up to 250 people, as well as lifted restrictions on restaurants, fitness centers and retail stores, as well as the reopening of entertainment venues. Read our breakdown here. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
Local
Fairfax County Public Schools has announced the option of two plans for parents and students in the 2020-2021 school year, including 100% virtual online learning, or face-to-face instruction in school buildings for two days a week (and virtual learning for the rest). The Fairfax County superintendent said it is unlikely that students will go back into school buildings on the day school is supposed to start. Along with the two options for parents, educators also have the same options, opting for entirely socially distant teaching, or part-time in school buildings and part-time at home. (WTOP)
Statewide
Virginia is the first state to announce its own set of coronavirus-era safety rules that companies must implement to protect workers from infection. Announced on Tuesday by Gov. Ralph Northam, the temporary emergency safety rules were drafted after the lack of enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The state’s safety mandates (which will be voted on this week) include the development of policies by employers for workers dealing with coronavirus-like symptoms, while prohibiting those with the coronavirus from showing up to work. “The new rules would force companies to notify workers of possible exposure to infected co-workers within 24 hours, while also mandating physical distancing as well as sanitation, disinfection and hand-washing procedures,” reported The Washington Post. (The Washington Post)
National
New coronavirus cases continue to reach new records in over 33 states across the country, with Arizona, Arkansas, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas reporting the highest hospitalizations since the pandemic began in March. (The Washington Post)
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