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Virginia, Maryland governors take actions as coronavirus cases tick upward in D.C. region Virginia, Maryland governors take actions as coronavirus cases tick upward in D.C. region
(about 3 hours 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 governors of Virginia and Maryland moved Tuesday to enforce mask and social distancing requirements inside bars and other businesses after an increase in coronavirus cases stirred worries that the region is facing a resurgence of the virus seen in other parts of the country.
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 new infections in the District, Maryland and Virginia increased for an eighth consecutive day Tuesday, jumping to 1,421 — about where the region stood last month before shutdown restrictions for nonessential businesses were further loosened. The region’s largest daily caseloads of the past month have occurred in the past five days.
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. After a sharp increase in infections in Virginia’s Hampton Roads area, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) took more aggressive steps to control the virus from spreading further. He is ordering inspectors to make unannounced visits to restaurants and retail establishments, then revoking their licenses if workers aren’t wearing masks or customers are allowed to congregate in tight spaces.
“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.” Virginia Beach coronavirus cases rising, especially among young people resisting masks
Known coronavirus deaths and cases in the Washington region “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 said.
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. He said the statewide action will involve 500 health inspectors with another 100 to be added in the coming weeks.
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. “Remember that you do not have to serve a patron who is not wearing a face covering,” Northam said, adding that those customers can be cited for a misdemeanor violation under a previous order requiring masks in congregate settings. “You can tell them to leave. And if they don’t, they’re trespassing and you can, in turn, call the police.”
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. The action will mainly be focused in the tourist-heavy Hampton Roads area, where some younger patrons inside restaurant bars and at parties have not been wearing masks, Northam said.
That part of the state has seen infections skyrocket during the past two weeks, with the seven-day average for new cases climbing to 346 on Tuesday, compared with 57 in early June. In Virginia Beach, 40 percent of the coastal city’s 817 known cases have been detected during the past two weeks.
“There is clearly community spread,” Northam said, calling the caseload “very concerning.”
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) urged local leaders across his state to take bolder steps to enforce physical distancing and mask requirements for 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 a letter to county health officers and local liquor boards.
“You have the responsibility to enforce these laws,” the letter said. “Violators should be warned, fined, have actions taken regarding their licenses, or closed if necessary.”
Hogan’s letter came after Maryland reported 733 new cases Tuesday — its largest daily increase since June 5. The state’s seven-day average for new cases was 552, its highest mark since mid-June. The biggest spike came in Prince George’s County.
Maryland also reported a daily uptick in hospitalizations and ICU bed use, with 29 more people hospitalized and 10 more patients in intensive care.
Hogan warned about an increase in infections among younger adults, noting that the rate of positive test results for residents under age 35 is 84 percent higher than it is for those who are 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 HispanicIn 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. An executive order Hogan signed last month requires staff to wear face coverings while working, prohibits people from congregating in bar areas and limits service to six people at a table, while using every other booth and keeping 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. Some of the state’s harder-hit areas did not need Hogan to remind them about the importance of enforcing the regulations.
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 Montgomery County, officials said they already have closed two businesses and fined a third for not complying with social distancing measures.
Society Lounge and the Republic Garden in Silver Spring were closed and had their licenses suspended Sunday for failing to observe social distancing rules, the county announced Tuesday. The Block, a food hall and bar in Rockville, was fined $500 for also violating the social distancing requirement after receiving an initial warning from the county on July 8.
Montgomery, which on Tuesday had 15,883 known coronavirus infections and 782 covid-19 deaths, also shut down two businesses last week for violating reopening rules.
The District recorded 40 additional infections Tuesday and no covid-19 deaths for a fifth consecutive day.
Health experts have praised area leaders for increasing their capacity of hospital beds, but they said they worry that a continuing rise in infections could begin to overwhelm some hospitals.
“The virus is still around and still circulating and being transmitted,” said Eric R. Houpt, head of the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. “We do have hospital capacity but let’s hope we don’t need it.”
As local residents grow more frustrated by shutdown restrictions, the repeated calls by local officials to wear masks and maintain distances have fostered tensions, with some people openly flouting those guidelines.
Northam tried to soften those frustrations, saying the region’s health and its economy depend on everyone acting together. However, he said, he is considering further measures to stop the virus from spreading, including reducing the size of gatherings allowed to 50 from 250 and imposing an earlier cutoff time for alcohol sales in the state.
“This is not political,” he said. “This is about our health and well-being, and it’s also about our economy. It’s going to take all of us to move forward safely.”
Northern Virginia sees ebb in virus cases while numbers reach record highs elsewhere in stateNorthern 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. Nicole Riley, Virginia director of the National Federation of Independent Business, praised Northam’s decision to crack down on violators rather than tighten restrictions on all businesses. But she warned that his order could put some business owners in the awkward position of playing “the enforcer for the government” by telling customers they can’t enter without a mask.
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. “This opens the door for lawsuits against the business and in return, the state should offer them legal immunity,” Riley said.
Virginia Beach coronavirus cases rising, especially among young people resisting masks Virginia Republican leaders called Northam’s action unfair to businesses and people who choose not to wear a mask.
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. “This mandate puts businesses in an untenable position. To keep their licenses, they must confront customers who choose not to comply,” House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) said in a statement. “I can’t help but think issuing a statewide ‘or else’ threat will do little but create more defiance.”
“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. Known coronavirus deaths and cases in the Washington region
“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 District, Maryland and Virginia reported 1,574 cases on Tuesday. Maryland and Virginia each reported nine deaths.
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. The region’s seven-day average number of deaths dropped to 24, a level last seen in early April. While hospitalizations in the region have ticked upward in recent days, the number of ICU beds in use and patients requiring ventilators continues to hold steady.
Statewide, Virginia reported 801 new cases Tuesday, which was slightly below its seven-day average — and the first time since July 6 its daily caseload was below the average. Rebecca Tan and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report.
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. As concerns grow, NFL players union asks whether training camps in hots spots should open.
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. Brits remain reluctant to wear face masks, despite having the highest death toll in Europe
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. A Japanese war bride who overcame an immigration ban with JFK’s help is lost to covid-19
“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.
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.
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