There are over 2,494,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and over 4,026,572 have been tested in the United States. The global total number of deaths stands at 171,255. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 8,990 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 1,500 people hospitalized, 300 deaths and 56,735 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 1,925 to date. Arlington has reported 593, Alexandria has 421, Loudoun County has 446 and Prince William County has 919 (including Manassas and Manassas City). You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Local
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the DMV on Tuesday morning was 25,642, with 13,961 cases in Maryland, 8,990 cases in Virginia and 2,931 in Washington, DC. The death toll has reached 588 in Maryland, 300 in Virginia and 105 in DC, for a total of 996 fatalities. (The Washington Post)
Local
Gov. Ralph Northam announced that he has created a COVID-19 testing task force for the commonwealth, citing that testing drawbacks remain, including a lack of medical swabs and chemical reagents. Northam said state labs, private health care systems and colleges and universities have resources to help understand the spread of the disease and when the state will ease restrictions. (The Washington Post)
Local
Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled face-to-face video instruction after attempts to debut the remote learning platform this week, and delayed last week. Technological difficulties of logging on for parents, instructors and students has led the school system to seek a third-party law firm to review the system’s troubles and to seek out another way to continue to teach students through the remainder of the school year. (WTOP)
Local
Those little rolling robots you might have seen on George Mason University’s campus are now making their way around Fairfax to promote contactless delivery during COVID-19. Starship Technologies (the makers of the small, cooler-sized drones) is working with the city and delivering meals to customers from Havabite Eatery, Coyote Grille, Hamrock’s Restaurant, The Wine House, High Side and Essential Groceries, and more to come. (WTOP)
Regional
On Monday, April 20, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced the state had purchased 500,000 COVID-19 testing kits from South Korea, after turning to international help in March. After weeks of negotiation and the help of his wife, Yumi Hogan, they were able to procure around one test for every 12 Maryland residents. (The Washington Post)
Regional
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser announced in a Monday press briefing that the city is now predicting to hit peak levels of COVID-19 in mid- to late May. The city currently has 10 testing sites available and is moving to prepare the Walter E. Washington Convention Center into an additional hospital site that can house up to 1,500 coronavirus patients. (The Washington Post)
National
President Trump tweeted on Monday that he will sign a temporary executive order banning immigration to the United States during the global pandemic. President Trump, who has a reputation for a hard-line approach to immigration, believes this move will help protect American jobs when rebuilding the economy, and defend the country from the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Washington Post)
National
Nearly one in every 10 nursing homes in the United States has reported a case of COVID-19. The Washington Post has compiled a list of nursing homes across the country—including in Virginia and Maryland—that have had outbreaks, but have not yet released the names of facilities or the death tolls from the coronavirus. They are moving to do so from increasing pressure of families, journalists and watchdog groups. (The Washington Post)
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.
