There are over 1,496,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 336,780 people have recovered. The global total number of deaths stands at 89,435. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 3,645 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 615 people hospitalized, 75 deaths and 30,645 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 570 to date. Arlington has reported 254, Alexandria has 143, Loudoun County has 238 and Prince William County has 263 (including Manassas and Manassas City). You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Local
Gov. Ralph Northam has pushed back the June 9 congressional primaries by two weeks to June 23. In addition, he is urging lawmakers to also push back local and special elections, scheduled to be held on May 5, to the primary election date, Nov. 3. Virginia’s General Assembly will return to session on April 22. (WTOP)
Local
In a press conference on April 8, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that he would relax the state’s ABC laws, allowing restaurants with mixed-beverage licenses to sell and distribute mixed drinks for carryout and delivery. Restaurants were only previously allowed to sell wine and beer. (Inside NoVA)
Local
Due to the onset of crowds and heavy pedestrian activity, Shenandoah National Park has closed indefinitely to combat the spread of COVID-19. Virginia State Highways 211 and 33 will remain accessible. (National Park Service)
Local
Two Northern Virginia ABC stores have closed after employees tested positive for the novel coronavirus this week. The stores, located at 5940 Richmond Highway in Alexandria and 8105 Lee Highway in Falls Church in Merrifield Plaza Shopping Center, were closed Tuesday, and will be deeply cleaned and remain closed for a minimum of 14 days after both employees were last in the stores. (Inside NoVA)
Local
The City of Alexandria now faces a $100 million budget gap because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alexandria City Manager Mark Jinks had announced his original 2021 fiscal plan just two months ago, but has now released a revised version to account for the economic downturn. “The revised proposal calls for a $753 million operating budget in Fiscal Year 2021—a 5.8% reduction from the nearly $800 million originally set forward on Feb. 18,” according to WTOP. (WTOP)
Regional
Washington, DC reported an additional 229 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the city’s total to 1,440. The city is now keeping a close watch on how the virus is impacting African American communities. In addition, 46 first responders in the city have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. (WTOP)
Regional
Under a new order on April 8, by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, Washington, DC farmers markets and fish markets are no longer deemed essential businesses. The businesses now may only operate if they get a waiver, which requires businesses to detail how it will operate and follow social distancing measures. (WTOP)
Regional
Starting April 15, JetBlue is suspending all BWI Marshall flights through June 10, and is consolidating all flights to Reagan National Airport. For the area, this means JetBlue flights will be cut from daily departures of 34 flights to just five. (WTOP)
Regional
The Trader Joe’s location on 14th Street NW in Washington, DC is now temporarily closed after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. The store, at 1914 14th Street Northwest, shuttered for additional cleaning. The employee who tested positive was last in the store on April 5, according to the company. (WTOP)
National
An additional 6 million people are thought to have applied for unemployment benefits last week, according to estimates. The Labor Department will announce updated numbers today, April 9. More than 10 million Americans lost their jobs and applied for unemployment in March. (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.