There are over 2,994,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and over 5,441,000 have been tested in the United States. The global total number of deaths stands at 207,270. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 12,970 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 2,014 people hospitalized, 448 deaths and 76,118 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 2,889 to date, with 509 hospitalized and 95 deaths. Arlington has reported 790 cases with 141 hospitalized and 32 deaths. Alexandria has 591 cases with 80 hospitalized and 19 deaths. Loudoun County has 596 cases with 76 hospitalized and 11 deaths, and Prince William County has 1,468 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 155 hospitalized and 22 deaths. 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 reached 35,436 as of Monday morning, with 12,970 cases in Virginia, 18,596 cases in Maryland and 3,845 in Washington, DC. The death toll has climbed to a total of 1,549, with 917 deaths in Maryland, 448 deaths in Virginia and 179 in DC. (The Washington Post)
Local
Fairfax County, which has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began in March, has now released its own website, tracking data from the spread of the novel coronavirus to include Fairfax City, Herndon and Falls Church, and allows residents to see the number of new daily cases, and reported cases based on the first three digits of their zip code. (Fairfax County Health Department)
Local
Drive-up testing sites are now available at two Patient First locations, one off of Garrisonville Road in North Stafford, and another on Liberia Avenue in Manassas. Testing is by appointment only, and in order to be tested, a patient must either have a symptom or symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) or be a health care worker or first responder. (Inside NoVA)
Local
The Clarendon Trader Joe’s grocery store has closed again temporarily due to an employee’s positive COVID-19 test result. “The Crew Member was last present at the store on April 13, 2020,” the sign reads on the outside of the building. “Our focus remains on doing whatever is necessary to safeguard the health and safety of our Crew Members and customers and [to] best support our communities.” This location is not the only grocery store in the area that has reported positive cases of the novel coronavirus since the outbreak started, including Whole Foods and Costco as well. (ARL Now)
Local
The IRS told nearly 10,000 employees to prepare to return to work today with their own PPE (personal protective equipment). The House Ways and Means Committee, which obtained and circulated the email announcing the staff’s return, said the agency will bring back certain employees to answer phones, process mail and other “mission-critical work” they can’t complete while teleworking. So far, at least 44% of the IRS workforce has been teleworking after the agency issued an evacuation notice last month. The IRS has yet to provide a breakdown of how many continue to work out of the office, which the evacuation order permits, and how many are out on weather and safety leave. (Federal News Network)
Local
A Fairfax County teen has gotten to work amidst the pandemic, using his 3D printer to create more than 250 protective face shields with the help of a friend in New York. Aashray Manchanda is a junior at Fairfax High School, where he was a part of the robotics club for years, and it didn’t take long for him to become inspired to put his engineering skills to use, and launch the “Hack the Pandemic” campaign. Health care workers can sign up to receive the PPE (personal protective equipment) as Manchanda continues to create it for North American health care workers. (WTOP)
Regional
Virginia is not yet open for business, but Gov. Ralph Northam has announced a blueprint for what the commonwealth’s reopening might look like. Lifting restrictions across the state will be on a phased approach based on guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Beyond a steady decline in new cases, the state will also have to increase testing and contact tracing, while ensuring hospitals have the necessary capacity, said Northam. When Phase 1 begins, social distancing will still be in place, and the state will continue to encourage teleworking and face coverings when in public. The state is currently under a stay-at-home order until June 10, and all nonessential businesses are closed through May 8. (Inside NoVA)
Regional
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has created a COVID-19 Business Task Force to assist in plans to eventually reopen the commonwealth’s economy. The task force is made up of two dozen business leaders who are meeting virtually to move toward reopening businesses safely. One member of the group believes the task force is an important step to ensuring local businesses and service providers return to work in a safe manner. (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.