There are over 2,172,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and over 3,420,394 have been tested in the United States. The global total number of deaths stands at 146,201. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 6,889 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 1,114 people hospitalized, 208 deaths and 46,444 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 1,375 to date. Arlington has reported 453, Alexandria has 275, Loudoun County has 367 and Prince William County has 660 (including Manassas and Manassas City). You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Local
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the DMV stands at 20,064, as of Friday morning. There are 6,889 cases in Virginia, 10,791 cases in Maryland and 2,354 in Washington, DC. The death toll has reached 208 in Virginia, 459 in Maryland and 81 in DC, for a total of 750. These numbers indicate that the DMV’s number of cases have doubled in the past week. (The Washington Post)
Local
Unemployment numbers were steep again this week, with an additional 177,450 residents in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC applying for governmental assistance. Since social distancing measures across the region shut down nonessential businesses in the past four weeks, 390,000 total residents have sought out unemployment. (The Washington Post)
Local
Inova Hospital system has banned all hospital staff from wearing N95 respirator masks they bring from home, despite nationwide PPE (personal protective equipment) shortages. Ina released statement, a spokeswoman said that the health care system’s procedures only allow “hospital grade, quality-assured products.” Three employees at Inova Fairfax Hospital have said the measures are inconsistently enforced and comes with the threat of dismissal. (The Washington Post)
Local
Fairfax County Public Schools was supposed to roll out its online, remote learning schedule this week on Blackboard, but it was ultimately postponed until Monday, April 20, citing technical difficulties. Fairfax-based educational software Blackboard suffered capacity issues and profanity-laced disruptions from users, who may or may not have been students, and has admitted that the software hadn’t been updated in two years. Superintendent Scott Braband has since apologized for the technical hiccups and delays. (WTOP)
Local
ACT for Alexandria, a community foundation committed to supporting the area’s nonprofits, was set to host its 10th annual Spring2Action campaign on April 29 this year, but moved up the date to April 15 due to an increased amount of stress on local organizations. The community turned out, breaking the one-day donations record with 8,453 donors totaling $2,455,401 for 156 nonprofits in Alexandria. (ALX Now)
Regional
Gov. Ralph Northam has requested more federal aid for the commonwealth. In a statement, the governor highlighted six key areas of need: more flexible state funding, public health infrastructure, an increase in SNAP benefits and relief for renters, homeowners and homeless people, an expansion of unemployment benefits, health insurance and hazard pay, expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program and investment in infrastructure. (WTOP)
Regional
In Richmond, protesters demanded that Gov. Ralph Northam release a plan on how and when to reopen commerce across the commonwealth. Northam has echoed Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan and DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser that relaxing restrictions quickly could lead to another spike in cases and prolonged economic impacts. (The Washington Post)
Global
Wuhan, China, as of Friday morning has updated its coronavirus death toll, now reporting a total of 3,869. Officials have said that the original number, 1,290, was an undercount caused by overwhelmed medical facilities at the peak of the outbreak. With over 82,000 cases across China, officials from around the world have criticized and doubted China’s reporting. (WTOP)
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.