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| Virginia, Maryland governors take actions as coronavirus cases tick upward in D.C. region | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The greater Washington region’s largest daily coronavirus caseloads of the past month have occurred in the past five days, prompting the governors of Maryland and Virginia to take actions Tuesday to halt its spread. | |
| The seven-day average of cases in the District, Maryland and Virginia increased for an eighth consecutive day on Tuesday, jumping to 1,421, on par with the region’s daily average a month earlier. The average for the three jurisdictions had tumbled to 907 in late June, but a reversal in that trend has showed no signs of slowing. | The seven-day average of cases in the District, Maryland and Virginia increased for an eighth consecutive day on Tuesday, jumping to 1,421, on par with the region’s daily average a month earlier. The average for the three jurisdictions had tumbled to 907 in late June, but a reversal in that trend has showed no signs of slowing. |
| Hoping to stave off the coronavirus spikes seen in other states, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) wrote a letter to local leaders across the state, pressing them to enforce social distancing and mask requirements in bars and restaurants. | Hoping to stave off the coronavirus spikes seen in other states, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) wrote a letter to local leaders across the state, pressing them to enforce social distancing and mask requirements in bars and restaurants. |
| “The vast majority of bars and restaurants in our state are in compliance, but some are flagrantly violating the law and endangering public health,” Hogan wrote in the letter to county health officers and local liquor boards. “You have the responsibility to enforce these laws. Violators should be warned, fined, have actions taken regarding their licenses, or closed if necessary.” | “The vast majority of bars and restaurants in our state are in compliance, but some are flagrantly violating the law and endangering public health,” Hogan wrote in the letter to county health officers and local liquor boards. “You have the responsibility to enforce these laws. Violators should be warned, fined, have actions taken regarding their licenses, or closed if necessary.” |
| Known coronavirus deaths and cases in the Washington region | Known coronavirus deaths and cases in the Washington region |
| Hogan’s letter came after Maryland reported 733 new cases on Tuesday — its largest daily increase since June 5 — while the state’s seven-day average jumped to its highest mark since mid-June. The biggest spike came in Prince George’s County, which reported its highest daily total since June 5. | Hogan’s letter came after Maryland reported 733 new cases on Tuesday — its largest daily increase since June 5 — while the state’s seven-day average jumped to its highest mark since mid-June. The biggest spike came in Prince George’s County, which reported its highest daily total since June 5. |
| Maryland also reported a daily uptick in hospitalizations and ICU bed usage, with 29 more people hospitalized — bringing the current statewide number to 415 — and 10 more patients in intensive care. | Maryland also reported a daily uptick in hospitalizations and ICU bed usage, with 29 more people hospitalized — bringing the current statewide number to 415 — and 10 more patients in intensive care. |
| In the letter, Hogan warned that the positivity rate among Maryland residents under 35 is 84 percent higher than it is for residents 35 and older. | In the letter, Hogan warned that the positivity rate among Maryland residents under 35 is 84 percent higher than it is for residents 35 and older. |
| “At least 12 states have already moved to re-close bars and restaurants — we do not want to be forced to take the action here in Maryland,” Hogan said. | “At least 12 states have already moved to re-close bars and restaurants — we do not want to be forced to take the action here in Maryland,” Hogan said. |
| In this Maryland suburb, 74 percent of new covid-19 patients are Hispanic | In this Maryland suburb, 74 percent of new covid-19 patients are Hispanic |
| The governor noted an executive order signed last month requires all staff to wear face coverings while working, prohibits people from congregating in bar areas and limits service to six people at a table, while utilizing every other booth and customers seated six feet apart. | The governor noted an executive order signed last month requires all staff to wear face coverings while working, prohibits people from congregating in bar areas and limits service to six people at a table, while utilizing every other booth and customers seated six feet apart. |
| Michael Ricci, a spokesman for Hogan, said the latest numbers “continue to tell us we need to stay vigilant.” He said the state is closely monitoring the rising positivity rate among younger people, and an increasing number of cases connected to noncompliance in bars and restaurants. | Michael Ricci, a spokesman for Hogan, said the latest numbers “continue to tell us we need to stay vigilant.” He said the state is closely monitoring the rising positivity rate among younger people, and an increasing number of cases connected to noncompliance in bars and restaurants. |
| In Virginia, the number of coronavirus patients needing hospitalization has risen by 43 percent over the past eight days, up to 1,127 on Tuesday from the state’s low of 792 on July 6. Virginia’s seven-day average of new cases hit a low of 498 on June 21 but has consistently climbed upward, jumping to 815 as of Tuesday. | In Virginia, the number of coronavirus patients needing hospitalization has risen by 43 percent over the past eight days, up to 1,127 on Tuesday from the state’s low of 792 on July 6. Virginia’s seven-day average of new cases hit a low of 498 on June 21 but has consistently climbed upward, jumping to 815 as of Tuesday. |
| Northern Virginia sees ebb in virus cases while numbers reach record highs elsewhere in state | Northern Virginia sees ebb in virus cases while numbers reach record highs elsewhere in state |
| Cases in Northern Virginia have held steady or ticked slightly downward in the past month, even as the state’s average daily caseload outside the D.C. suburbs has doubled during that time, fueled by spikes in the Hampton Roads region. | Cases in Northern Virginia have held steady or ticked slightly downward in the past month, even as the state’s average daily caseload outside the D.C. suburbs has doubled during that time, fueled by spikes in the Hampton Roads region. |
| Virginia Beach has reported 817 cases since the start of the pandemic, with 40 percent of all the city's cases being detected in the past two weeks. The city saw a respite in its caseload Tuesday, with its 15 new cases less than one-tenth of the previous day’s number. | Virginia Beach has reported 817 cases since the start of the pandemic, with 40 percent of all the city's cases being detected in the past two weeks. The city saw a respite in its caseload Tuesday, with its 15 new cases less than one-tenth of the previous day’s number. |
| Virginia Beach coronavirus cases rising, especially among young people resisting masks | Virginia Beach coronavirus cases rising, especially among young people resisting masks |
| Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday ordered state inspectors to start making unannounced visits to restaurants and retail establishments across the state, with plans to revoke business licenses if customers are not wearing masks. | |
| “If you own a restaurant or a business and you’re not following the regulations, your license will be on the line and we will not hesitate to take action if needed,” Northam warned businesses that have allowed patrons inside without masks and without abiding by physical distancing requirements mandated under the state’s plan for fully reopening the economy. | |
| “Remember that you do not have to serve a patron who is not wearing a face covering,” Northam said. “You can tell them to leave. And if they don’t, they’re trespassing and you can, in turn, call the police.” | |
| The action – involving 500 health inspectors, with another 100 to be added in coming weeks – will be mainly focused in the tourist-heavy Hampton Roads area, where mostly younger patrons inside restaurant bars and at parties have not been wearing masks, Northam said. | |
| Statewide, Virginia reported 801 new cases Tuesday, which was slightly below is seven-day average — and the first time since July 6 its daily caseload was below the average. | Statewide, Virginia reported 801 new cases Tuesday, which was slightly below is seven-day average — and the first time since July 6 its daily caseload was below the average. |
| The District reported 40 new cases Tuesday, below its daily average of 54 cases. It’s the fifth consecutive day without a coronavirus-related fatality in the city. | The District reported 40 new cases Tuesday, below its daily average of 54 cases. It’s the fifth consecutive day without a coronavirus-related fatality in the city. |
| Health experts have praised leaders across the region for increasing their capacity of hospital beds but worry that an increase in cases could lead to more beds being needed. | Health experts have praised leaders across the region for increasing their capacity of hospital beds but worry that an increase in cases could lead to more beds being needed. |
| Eric Houpt, chief of the infectious diseases unit at UVA Health in Charlottesville, said health experts are concerned residents could stop taking necessary precautions as restrictions are gradually lifted. If people don’t continue to wash hands, socially distance and wear masks, the region could see spikes similar to what is unfolding in other states. | Eric Houpt, chief of the infectious diseases unit at UVA Health in Charlottesville, said health experts are concerned residents could stop taking necessary precautions as restrictions are gradually lifted. If people don’t continue to wash hands, socially distance and wear masks, the region could see spikes similar to what is unfolding in other states. |
| “The virus is still around and still circulating and being transmitted,” he said. “We do have hospital capacity but let’s hope we don’t need it.” | “The virus is still around and still circulating and being transmitted,” he said. “We do have hospital capacity but let’s hope we don’t need it.” |
| The District, Maryland and Virginia reported 1,574 cases on Tuesday, nearly identical to the 1,576 cases reported Sunday — the two highest days since June 7. Maryland and Virginia each reported nine fatalities. | The District, Maryland and Virginia reported 1,574 cases on Tuesday, nearly identical to the 1,576 cases reported Sunday — the two highest days since June 7. Maryland and Virginia each reported nine fatalities. |
| While caseloads have increased, the region’s seven-day average number of deaths on Tuesday dropped to 24, a level last seen in early April. D.C. health officials cautioned Monday that deaths are a lagging indicator and could increase in the coming weeks if caseloads continue to rise. | While caseloads have increased, the region’s seven-day average number of deaths on Tuesday dropped to 24, a level last seen in early April. D.C. health officials cautioned Monday that deaths are a lagging indicator and could increase in the coming weeks if caseloads continue to rise. |
| While hospitalizations in the greater Washington region have ticked upward recently, the number of ICU beds in use and patients requiring ventilators continues to hold steady. | While hospitalizations in the greater Washington region have ticked upward recently, the number of ICU beds in use and patients requiring ventilators continues to hold steady. |
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