There are over 1,446,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 307,982 people have recovered. The global total number of deaths stands at 83,149. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 3,333 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 563 people hospitalized, 63 deaths and 28,645 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 532 to date. Arlington has reported 237, Alexandria has 126, Loudoun County has 209 and Prince William County has 260 (including Manassas and Manassas City). You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Local
In the DMV, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was 8,926, including Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. Maryland has reported the most cases with 4,371, followed by Virginia with 3,340 and 1,215 in DC. The number of deaths tallied 63 in Virginia, 103 in Maryland and 23 in the nation’s capital. (The Washington Post)
Local
Giant Food stores are significantly limiting the amount of customers in stores starting Thursday, April 9. The company did not put a number on how many individuals will be allowed in the store at one time, but said it would reduce capacity to 20%. Giant Food has more than 160 stores in the District, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware, and is the largest grocery store chain in the DC area. (WTOP)
Regional
On April 7, the DC Council voted unanimously to pass its second COVID-19 emergency relief bill. Rent is now frozen across Washington, DC (not only in rent-controlled units), mortgage companies are required to offer payment deferrals for up to 90 days, protections against utility shut-offs have been expanded to cable and telecommunications services, debt-collection lawsuits and the seizures of property are prohibited and every voter in the June 2 primary and the Ward 2 special election on June 16 will get an application for an absentee ballot in the mail, with return postage paid. (WTOP)
Regional
Roads near the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC have reopened, after being closed last month to deter crowds from visiting the cherry blossoms during peak bloom. The bathrooms along the National Mall remain closed, as well as parking south of Independence Avenue. Service officials warn that if residents once again crowd the area during outdoor activities (while the city remains under a stay-at-home order) the roads will be temporarily closed again. (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.