WASHINGTON — The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) remains present around the country, as well as here in the DMV. Things like masks and social distancing are still important, but our counties and communities have begun to reopen.
This blog details the latest updates on our Road to Recovery in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Check-in each day for what’s new, where each part of the DMV is at in its phased reopening plan and what direction the coronavirus trend is headed.
Have a question? Text it to us at 202-895-5599.
Updates on coronavirus cases come from health departments between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. every day.
Reopening the DMV
.The latest in reopening news:
- Virginia has begun Phase 3 of reopening. More details about Phase III in Virginia here.
- A last-minute change prohibits bar seating in Phase 3 of Virginia's reopening. More details here.
- D.C. is now in Phase II of reopening. It means restaurants and non-essential retail can open indoors at 50% capacity and gyms and yoga studios can reopen with restrictions. Full details on what Phase II means in D.C. here.
- D.C. Metro has reopened some stops. Here's what you need to know.
- All of Maryland is now in Phase II, and the state's largest casino, MGM National Harbor, has reopened.
- Amusement parks have begun declaring opening dates. Click here for more on those.
- There's been a spike in new cases nationally, but the DMV is bucking that trend. Here's why.
Tracking the Coronavirus
- As of Thursday, D.C. says it has now conducted more than 100,000 coronavirus tests.
- DC Health reports it is now able to contact trace more than 98% of new cases reported in the city. D.C. coronavirus live updates
- Maryland reported more than 500 new cases today for the first time in two weeks.
- Frederick County, Maryland, has now reported more than 2,500 cases of the coronavirus. Maryland coronavirus live updates
- Virginia reported 30 new deaths on Thursday – the highest single-day death count since late May and the eighth consecutive day of an upward trend in deaths.
- Virginia’s daily case trend has been plateaued-to-slightly increasing for 10 days. Virginia coronavirus live updates
Wednesday, July 1:
- D.C. has been averaging fewer than 40 new cases a day for a week now – less than half of the 90 new cases a day it was averaging on June 1.
- Maryland began June averaging more than 900 new cases a day. As of Wednesday, the state has been averaging fewer than 400 new cases a day for 12 days.
- Maryland's trend has been plateaued over those same 12 days at around 365 new cases a day.
- Northern Virginia’s share of the state’s new coronavirus cases reported each day has dropped from 60% when Phase I of reopening started to around 30%.
- Virginia entered June averaging more than 1,000 new cases a day. As of Wednesday, it is now averaging around 525 new cases a day.
- Despite the above, Virginia is the only part of the DMV that has seen a significant increase from its lowest average. Daily cases are now, on average, 9% higher than they were on June 21.
What precautions should you take?
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Check the status of the virus in your state with your state health department's websites by tapping below: