There are now over 800,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 172,657 people have recovered. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 1,020 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 136 people hospitalized, 25 deaths and 12,038 people tested. You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Local
At 2 p.m. on March 30, Gov. Ralph Northam announced a stay-at-home order for the commonwealth through Wednesday, June 10. All Virginians must stay home unless they are going to the grocery store (or obtaining food from another establishment), obtaining medications or medical attention, taking care of other individuals, animals or visiting a family member, engaging in outdoor exercise, traveling to or from an educational institution/place of worship, or deemed an “essential” worker. Also, all Virginia beaches will be closed. Those who fail to comply could be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,500 in fines and a year in prison. (Commonwealth of Virginia)
Local
WMATA has proposed fare hikes, service improvements and service cuts during the coronavirus spread, with the final proposed budget seeking final approval on Wednesday, July 1. “The board expects to take another look at all of the changes by June, though, which could lead to significant changes depending on COVID-19 ridership and revenue impacts,” reports WTOP. Under the plan, Metro would raise fare from $2.25 to $2.35, and the rush hour price from $6 to $6.50. Fare changes would also increase mileage-based fees and on weekends Metro would charge a $2 flat-rate fare. Service changes include additional late-night hours and cuts to certain bus routes. (WTOP)
Local
Alexandria now has 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19, a 20-case increase to that of last week’s total. The number of cases in the city has been steadily rising each day, with the first confirmed case on March 11. (ALX Now)
Local
A Loudoun County sheriff has tested positive for COVID-19. The deputy serves in the field operations division and is now quarantined at home. He is the first on the force to test positive, and the Loudoun County Health Department is in the process of contacting all that could have come in contact with him. (Inside NoVA)
Regional
In DC and Maryland, stay-at-home orders have also been announced by Mayor Murial Bowser and Gov. Larry Hogan, respectively. “We are no longer asking or suggesting Marylanders to stay home,” Gov. Larry Hogan said on Monday. “We are directing them.” Bowser’s order is in effect until Friday, April 24, and residents who are found willfully ignoring the order can face up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $5,000. Any DC government employees who are found to violate the rules will face suspension without pay or termination. In Maryland, residents are only allowed to conduct or participate in “essential activities” (defined in the order) and could face up to $5,000 in fine or no more than one year in prison. (The Washington Post)
Regional
Drivers can expect continued delays due to road closures near and around the Tidal Basin. Due to the peak bloom of the nation’s cherry blossoms, the National Park Service and DC police had closed the roads from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily to deter visitors, and will continue to do so indefinitely. To find the list of closed roads, please visit here. (WTOP)
More events and large gatherings are being canceled across the region. For specific announcements, please check our events cancellation page.
