There are over 3,864,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and 1,256,972 confirmed cases across the country. The global total number of deaths stands at 270,020, and the United States’ at 75,670. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
As of Thursday, Virginia had 21,570 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 2,955 people hospitalized, 769 deaths and 122,119 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 5,045 to date, with 832 hospitalized and 211 deaths. Arlington has reported 1,248 cases with 222 hospitalized and 52 deaths. Alexandria has 1,060 cases with 127 hospitalized and 29 deaths. Loudoun County has 1,043 cases with 105 hospitalized and 26 deaths and Prince William County has 2,836 cases (including Manassas and Manassas City), with 297 hospitalized and 42 deaths. You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Regional
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, tallied in at 56,598 in the DMV on Thursday morning. Maryland reported 29,374 cases, Virginia reported 2`1,570 and Washington, DC reported 5,654. The death toll has reached a total of 2,557, with 1,503 in Maryland, 769 in Virginia and 285 in DC. (Virginia Department of Health; Maryland Department of Health; Stay Home DC!)
Local
If you’ve been keeping up with the rising number of cases each day, you’ll notice that Fairfax County, the jurisdiction with the highest population in the commonwealth, has the highest number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths, more than double than most counties across the state. Health officials are now offering three reasons why cases continue to be on the rise in Fairfax County. To start, the pandemic is still in its exponential growth phase. As case numbers increase, so does community-wide transmission, meaning the more people that are getting sick are also making others sick, resulting in more cases and a steeper curve. Commercial lab capacity in the county is also increasing, which means more positive cases are getting documented and accounted for. Finally, what is counted by the public health department as a COVID-19 case has changed. The state is now including probable cases and additional testing for those who may have been tested more than once. The county has also said it has taken action to limit the spread in assisted living and long-term care facilities. (WTOP)
Local
Northern Virginia leaders and business owners have expressed concerns about Gov. Ralph Northam’s plan to begin Phase 1 of reopening across the state as early as May 15. “Our first reaction was, ‘Whoa, wait a minute, talk to us,'” said Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey. Garvey said she had a productive call with Northam on Thursday where he explained why he believed it was time to reopen part of the state, but the Arlington County Board Chair believes it’s too soon to predict when it will be safe for Arlington, and the surrounding Northern Virginia communities. According to Northam, it will ultimately be the local government’s decision on when to begin reopening businesses and easing restrictions. (NBC4)
Local
Ireland’s Four Courts in Arlington has announced that it will be reopening its doors today, Friday, May 8. The pub closed shortly before St. Patrick’s Day (one of its busiest days of the year) on March 15, and local fans have rallied to raise more than $35,000 for the location to stay afloat. The restaurant will be opening for takeout only. Also, the owner noted that this is a temporary reopening for eight weeks, with hopes that a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) small-business loan will be accessible for the business. (ARL Now)
Regional
Unemployment data released on Friday morning showed the jobless rate soared to 14.7%, the worst level since the Great Depression after the United States lost 20.5 million jobs in April. More than 781,000 people in the DMV have lost their jobs in the past seven weeks, according to federal unemployment data released on Thursday. (The Washington Post)
How have social distancing and the global pandemic impacted your life? We want to hear your stories. Tell us about your experience here, or use #NoVAatHome on social media. If you’re looking for ways to stay entertained at home, check out our Things to Do page, and stay up to date with all things Northern Virginia by subscribing to our weekly newsletters.