There are now over 735,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 156,380 people have recovered. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with over 112 people hospitalized, 22 deaths and 10,609 people tested. You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Local
March 29 was the Washington region’s deadliest day yet during the COVID-19 outbreak, with 16 fatalities announced Sunday, bringing the region’s total to 51. Maryland reported its largest single-day increase with 246 new confirmed cases. Virginia now has 890 cases, DC has 405 and Maryland 405, with 3,536 currently active cases. (The Washington Post)
Local
Alexandria’s ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund has raised over $470,000, as of March 27, and money is already being allocated to local nonprofits in extreme need of funding. The city has already provided $245,010 in grants, with 70% of those supporting emergency assistance for families. (Zebra)
Local
In the midst of local students having to now learn and take classes from home, Prince William County Schools are looking to spend nearly $10 million to provide a digital device to every student. The school board has requested $5 million in emergency funding and expects to cover the rest of the cost. (Inside NoVA)
Regional
Starting today, no Metrorail riders will be able to board the first or last cars of the WMATA trains, in order to further protect transit workers from the spread of COVID-19. “When a train arrives at the station, the doors of the first and last railcars will remain closed when the doors on the remaining six cars open. Metrorail customers will only be permitted to occupy the train’s ‘middle’ (second through seventh) cars.” Eight-car trains will remain running to ensure space for social distancing. (WMATA)
Regional
Two more DC police officers have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number to five in the 3,800-member department. Two more DC firefighters have also tested positive, bringing the fire department’s total to 14. (The Washington Post)
Regional
In Henrico County, just outside of Richmond, an outbreak at the Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has led to 37 residents contracting the virus, and six health care workers. Eight individuals connected to the center have died. (The Washington Post)
Regional
Maryland is also struggling with a nursing home outbreak of its own. The weekend surge of cases was attributed to an outbreak at a Carroll County facility known as Pleasant View Nursing Home, north of Baltimore, with 72 new cases, bringing its total to 82. (The Washington Post)
Regional
Last week, Liberty University’s president, Jerry Falwell Jr., decided to partially bring students back to campus for the remainder of the spring semester, contrasting from hundreds of colleges and universities across the nation. As of March 27, nearly a dozen students were sick with symptoms that indicate COVID-19. (The New York Times)
National
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the 2020 Summer Games, meant to be held this July in Tokyo, have officially been postponed to July 23, 2021. The Paralympic Games, which were meant to be held on Aug. 25, 2020, will now be postponed to Aug. 24, 2021. (BBC)
National
In other sports news, the Wimbledon Tennis Championships is set to be canceled, with an emergency decision scheduled for this week, according to German Tennis Federation vice-president Dirk Hordorff. The championship tournament was set to begin on June 29 and, if canceled, would be the first time since World War II. (WTOP)
More events and large gatherings are being canceled across the region. For specific announcements, please check our events cancellation page.