There are over 2,721,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and over 4,684,300 have been tested in the United States. The global total number of deaths stands at 191,231. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 10,998 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 1,753 people hospitalized, 372 deaths and 64,518 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 2,362 to date, with 431 hospitalized and 76 deaths. Arlington has reported 686 cases with 118 hospitalized and 24 deaths. Alexandria has 512 cases with 74 hospitalized and 14 deaths. Loudoun County has 498 cases with 64 hospitalized and 10 deaths, and Prince William County has 1,192 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 132 hospitalized and 20 deaths. You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health.
What do all of these new numbers mean in terms of flattening the curve?
Gov. Ralph Northam, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland and DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser are all in agreement that the region needs to see a consistent, 14-day decline in the number of deaths and hospitalizations for COVID-19 before social distancing restrictions are eased. On Thursday, the region took another big leap with reaching over 30,000 cases (Virginia tallying in more than 1,000 in 24 hours) and 87 new fatalities. (The Washington Post)
Local
The total of confirmed coronavirus cases in the DMV totaled 30,138 as of Friday morning, with 15,750 cases in Maryland, 10,998 in Virginia and 3,365 in Washington, DC. The death toll has reached a total of 1,273 fatalities, with 756 in Maryland, 372 in Virginia and 140 in DC. (The Washington Post)
Local
An Arlington sheriff’s deputy has tested positive for COVID-19, which is raising fears about a potential outbreak in the county jail. There are currently 225 occupants in the jail, which is about half of its capacity, and the office is now taking extra precautions to limit the virus’s spread. (ARL Now)
Regional
On Thursday, Gov. Ralph Northam extended the state’s ban on elective surgeries by one week, until May 1, and the closure of the Department of Motor Vehicles by two weeks, until May 11. (Inside NoVA)
Regional
Gov. Ralph Northam signed an executive order eliminating copays for patients covered through the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security program. The order also enables Medicaid members to receive prosthetics, orthotics and other lost or damaged medical supplies without in-person verification, Northam’s office said in a news release. (WTOP)
Regional
The nation’s worst outbreak at a juvenile detention center is just outside of Richmond at Bon Air Juvenile Detention Center. Nearly a quarter of the publicly reported cases of COVID-19 at U.S. detention centers have come from this one facility, which houses an estimated 190 male residents between the ages of 14 and 20. The unfolding crisis has sickened 26 inmates and seven staff members already. (The Washington Post)
National
President Trump is expected to sign another economic relief bill at noon today, which has nearly $500 billion allocated to boost state economies, benefit small businesses and expand access to COVID-19 testing across the country. The measure passed almost unanimously on Thursday, in the midst of a pandemic that has taken nearly 50,000 American lives and every one in six jobs. (WTOP)
National
At a press briefing on Thursday, President Trump pondered whether sunlight and disinfectants, which can kill the virus on surfaces and in the air, can help fight the virus inside the body. “And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside, or almost a cleaning?” Trump said. His statements have spurred doctors to respond, warning people that disinfectants are highly dangerous, especially when ingested. “This is not willy-nilly, off-the-cuff, maybe-this-will-work advice. This is dangerous,” said Craig Spencer, director of global health in emergency medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. (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.