There are over 3,207,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and over 6,026,000 have been tested in the United States. The global total number of deaths stands at 217,569. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 14,961 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 2,259 people hospitalized, 522 deaths and 85,307 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 3,448 to date, with 585 hospitalized and 124 deaths. Arlington has reported 912 cases with 163 hospitalized and 32 deaths. Alexandria has 700 cases with 92 hospitalized and 22 deaths. Loudoun County has 727 cases with 87 hospitalized and 14 deaths, and Prince William County has 1,783 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 195 hospitalized and 26 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 39,961 in the DMV on Thursday morning. Maryland reported 20,865 cases, Virginia reported 14,961 and Washington, DC reported 4,110. The death toll has reached a total of 1,818, with 1,085 in Maryland, 522 in Virginia and 206 in DC. (The Washington Post)
Statewide
Gov. Ralph Northam announced the commonwealth’s first ease of statewide restrictions, which will allow residents to visit the doctor, dentists and veterinarians for non-emergencies starting later this week. (The Washington Post)
Local
What will mall reopenings look like at local hot spots such as Potomac Mills and Fashion Centre at Pentagon City? Simon Property Group, owner of Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, plans to reopen 49 of its malls in 10 states starting Friday, mostly in states that are starting to ease restrictions. Announced guidelines by the property group include updated hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., high-touch areas being regularly sanitized, free temperature testing for incoming customers, free masks and hand sanitizer packets for those who ask for them, limited entrances, contactless payments and more. There is no reported date of malls reopening in Northern Virginia, despite the non-essential business closure expiring next week on May 8. (Inside NoVA)
Local
Alexandria is putting many of the city’s homeless population into hotel rooms for the foreseeable future. On April 1, the city made a contract with the Residence Inn Old Town Alexandria South at Carlyle, to house up to 46 family groups experiencing homelessness. The city is under contract through June 10 (the expected end date of the commonwealth’s stay-at-home order) and the total cost if all rooms are used for the maximum times is $143,986.44, according to the city. Some groups will also receive food through ALIVE! and the city’s Frozen Meals Delivery Program. (ALX Now)
Regional
John Hopkins University’s global COVID-19 tracker (which we reference above) is getting a $200,000 donation of federal funding to continue tracking the accurate, real-time information people are looking for across the country, and around the world. The money was awarded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act by way of the National Science Foundation, which was authorized to spend $75 million to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus, domestically or internationally, including to fund research grants and other necessary expenses, according to the release. (WTOP)
National
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony S. Fauci, said a second wave of infections is “inevitable” in the United States, which has recorded more than 1 million confirmed cases—nearly one-third of the global total, and tested more than 6 million. (The Washington Post)
National
Additional symptoms for COVID-19 continue to catch the eyes of medical experts in the past few weeks, with patients reporting ‘frostbite toes’ and ‘second-week crashes’ especially in younger patients. (The Washington Post)
National
The government’s first rigorous clinical trial of the experimental drug remdesivir as a treatment for the novel coronavirus delivered mixed results on Wednesday, but helped rally the stock markets. The preliminary results, according to Anthony S. Fauci, found that the drug accelerated the recovery of hospitalized patients but had only a marginal benefit in the rate of death. (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.
