There are currently 14,974,446 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 3,902,233 confirmed cases across the country. The global total number of deaths stands at 617,254, and the United States’ at 142,073. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
As of Wednesday morning, Virginia had 79,371 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 7,267 people hospitalized, 2,048 deaths and 937,148 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 14,994 to date, with 1,794 hospitalized and 570 deaths. Arlington has reported 2,750 cases with 431 hospitalized and 135 deaths. Alexandria has 2,582 cases with 255 hospitalized and 56 deaths. Loudoun County has 4,695 cases with 324 hospitalized and 106 deaths and Prince William County has 10,248 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 889 hospitalized and 191 deaths. You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19, or has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, please consider getting tested. Find a testing location near you here.
Regional
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, tallied in at 170,343 in the DMV on Friday morning. Maryland reported 79,545 cases, Virginia reported 79,371 and Washington, DC reported 11,427. The death toll has reached a total of 5,900, with 3,272 in Maryland, 2,048 in Virginia and 580 in DC. (Virginia Department of Health; Maryland Department of Health; Stay Home DC!)
Local
On the evening of July 21, Superintendent Scott Brabrand of Fairfax County Public Schools informed parents, families and the region that the 2020-21 school year will begin virtually on Tuesday, Sept. 8. In a statement published online, Brabrand wrote the following regarding the decision: “This was not an easy decision, but after reviewing the best available health data and continuing to gather input from teachers, staff, students and families, we have determined that full-time online instruction is the only safe option at this time. The pandemic looks much different now than it did even three weeks ago. Although infection rates in Fairfax County have declined and are relatively stable, 33% of our employees live outside the county. The threat posed by the virus does not recognize borders or boundaries.”
Following this decision from Fairfax County, one of the largest school districts in the country, other local school boards, including Loudoun County and Maryland’s Montgomery County, have also made the switch to an online-only start to the school year. (Fairfax County Public Schools; WTOP)
Regional
As many college-age students will not live on campus this year due to the novel coronavirus, neighboring Georgetown University has offered to cut tuition to undergraduates (mainly upperclassmen). Many upperclassmen are not invited to live on campus, and as such will receive a 10% cut in tuition, totaling about $2,800. (The Washington Post)
National
This morning, the United States reported more than 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths from Tuesday. President Trump acknowledged the grim news in a press conference, stating that the pandemic “will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better.” As of Wednesday, July 22, it was announced that the U.S. has reached deals with Pfizer and BioNTech, two pharmaceutical companies, to distribute millions of doses of a jointly produced vaccine candidate for the novel coronavirus. Vaccines will be distributed once manufactured and approved by the Food and Drug Administration under a new $1.95 billion deal with the government. (The Washington Post)
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