May 10, 1:45 p.m.: As Virginia moves to enter Phase 1 of its reopening plan on Friday, local leaders from Northern Virginia say it’s too soon for them to move forward.

The top elected officials from Northern Virginia’s five biggest jurisdictions sent a letter on Sunday asking the governor to delay the region’s reopening. While the leaders support Northam’s plans in general, they believe their jurisdictions haven’t met the criteria for entering Phase 1.

“While it is certainly useful to examine statewide metrics as we gauge the success of current public health policies, we feel strongly that any changes to current policies be guided by what is occurring in our region,” the leaders of Arlington County, City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County wrote in the letter.

“We eagerly wish to rebuild our economy and help our residents recover. It is only through our regional achievement of these milestones that we will be positioned to avoid a more damaging return to business closures later in the summer.”

Jurisdictions in Northern Virginia have been some of the hardest hit by the coronavirus. Of the top 20 ZIP codes with the most infections, the majority are in Northern Virginia, new data shows.

One of the metrics Northam cited in his decision to begin reopening the economy was a declining rate of positive test results as a percentage of the total tests conducted. According to an analysis from NoVa’s public health officials, that figure is 18% for the state overall but 27% in Northern Virginia.

Northam was the first leader in the Washington region to set a date for reopening. On May 15, some businesses, including hair salons and restaurants, will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity and with strict social distancing measures in place.

After first announcing his plans, Northam faced backlash from officials and activists. Since then, he’s said localities with higher case counts could have some flexibility to keep restrictions in place for longer.

“We realize that the Greater Washington area is an area that we need to pay particular attention to,” Northam said at a press briefing. “We’ve also been talking to local leaders in places like Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County.

“As we get closer if they have concerns and want to raise that floor for another week or whatever they think is necessary, we’ll work with them on that.”

In their letter, the Northern Virginia leaders acknowledge they have spoken with Northam in the past week and say they appreciate his “partnership with local governments.”

A spokesperson for the governor said in a statement, “Governor Northam has been speaking regularly with Northern Virginia officials, and is pleased to see them moving forward on the proposal he advanced last week. He asked for this formal communication to demonstrate unity across the diverse Northern Virginia region, which is critical to a continued successful mitigation strategy. He appreciates their willingness to work with him on this responsible, data-driven, and health-based approach.” –Hannah Schuster

More Stories from Sunday

• Virginia Reports Lowest Death Count In Nearly Two Weeks
• Loudoun County Begins Making Grants To Small Businesses
• Montgomery And Arlington Counties Among Those Not Ready To Reopen

Virginia Reports Lowest Death Count In Nearly Two Weeks

May 10, 1:20 p.m.: Coronavirus cases and death totals continue to rise locally as Virginia and Maryland prepare for at least partial reopenings in the coming weeks.

On Sunday, the two states plus D.C. reported 2,108 more confirmed and probable (meaning awaiting lab results to confirm) marking about a 3.5% increase in the past 24 hours. It’s a 28% increase from last week.

The total includes all confirmed and probable cases and deaths linked to the coronavirus.

Virginia reported 12 confirmed and probable deaths over the last 24 hours, the lowest number in nearly two weeks and the second day of declining numbers.

Maryland reported 28 confirmed deaths — a drop from yesterday’s 57 confirmed deaths.

D.C. reported 12 deaths, a jump from seven in yesterday’s totals. On Friday, the District reported 19 deaths, tying for the most fatalities in a single day.

These fluctuations are likely attributed to increased testing in both states, though some experts say it’s still not enough to safely take the new steps in reopening the economy.

Overall, more than half of the coronavirus-related deaths in both states have come from long-term care and congregate facilities.

In Maryland, the highest number of cases are between the ages of 40 to 49 with 5,840 making up about 18% of all cases in the state. Those 80 and older make up the highest number of deaths with 684, about 42% of all deaths.

Virginia has similar statistics. The highest number of total cases also belong to the 40 to 49 age group, making up about 18% of cases in the state. Those 80 and older make up the highest number of deaths with 435, about 52% of all deaths.

D.C. has slightly different numbers in terms of age. The 31 to 40 age group has the highest number of cases with 1,201 or about 19% of all cases. The District is currently not reporting deaths by age.

There is also a racial disparity of the coronavirus’s impact. In D.C., 78% off coronavirus deaths are of black residents who make up less than half of the city’s population. While not as pronounced in Maryland and Virginia, these disparities are still notable. About 41% of the confirmed and probable deaths in Maryland are of black residents, which only makes up 31% of the state’s population. About 22% of the deaths in Virginia are of black residents, which makes up 20% of the state’s overall population. — Matt Blitz

Loudoun County Begins Making Grants To Small Businesses

May 10, 11:30 a.m.: About 200 small business owners in Loudoun County will receive grants from the county, some as early as this week.

It’s part of the county’s new COVID-19 Business Interruption Fund totaling about $1.4 million.

Buddy Rizer, the county’s executive director for economic development, said the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors created the fund “as a stop-gap measure with grants from $5,000 up to $10,000 depending on the size of the business.”

About 1200 business owners applied for the grants and about 640 of them met the qualifications. Renee Ventrice and her husband were one of the companies randomly selected. They started Cork and Keg Tours in 2017 to conduct tours of area wineries and breweries.

She said the $5,000 they’ll receive from the county will go to good use. “This grant will help us to pay our van payments and our insurance payment – and for all of the infrastructure that we still have to pay for, you know – to stay in business even though we’re not making any monies.”

Rizer said the grant program won’t be the last way the county intends to support small businesses.

“With limited funds, you do the best you can on that end,” Rizer said, “but there is no limit to find ways to help and that’s where we’re focused as well.” – Tamika Smith

• 

  Montgomery And Arlington Counties Among Those Not Ready To Reopen

  May 10, 10:35 a.m.: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says the state could reopen parts of its economy within two weeks, but Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich told reporters Saturday he won’t commit to reopening until the county’s health officer says it’s safe.

  Some jurisdictions in Northern Virginia have also expressed reluctance to Gov. Ralph Northam’s plan to begin reopening by the end of next week.

  “We’re not the western part of the state or parts of the Eastern Shore,” Elrich said of his county during a Zoom call with reporters, per WTOP. “We have a caseload which is still growing.

  “We have the second largest number of cases in the state.”

  Montgomery County’s case count — 6,555 — is second only to Prince George’s County, where county executive Angela Alsobrooks has already announced she does not plan to reopen on Hogan’s timeline. Her county had 9,205 coronavirus cases as of Saturday. They are the two most populous counties in the state.

  Both counties want to see more testing and a sustained decline in cases and hospitalizations before deciding to reopen.

  “We’re going to do what’s best for Prince Georgians,” Alsobrooks said last week, adding “the governor assured me that he would work with us.”

  After her announcement, Hogan spokesperson Mike Ricci said in a statement that Hogan’s office would work with county governments to up testing capacity and that his reopening plan encourages local leaders to do what’s best for their residents “especially in areas with high concentrations of cases.”

  Montgomery County has tested 2.3% of county residents, which is above the state’s baseline goal of 2%, but the county is aiming higher, county health officer Dr. Travis Gayles said.

  Elrich also said he would cooperate with nearby counties and D.C. when it comes to lifting restrictions in the densely populated Metro area.

  “It is important that whatever any one of us does, we all do,” he said, according to WUSA9, “Until we are all ready to open, it is not prudent for any one of us to open.”

  Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was the first local leader to announce concrete plans to begin reopening his state. But he faced pushback from officials and activists in Northern Virginia, where case counts are the highest. He now says those jurisdictions could have some flexibility to keep restrictions in place longer.

  On Friday, the Arlington County board announced it wasn’t ready to enter Phase 1 of the governor’s reopening plan. The board says Arlington is working with Northam’s office to “determine the safest path forward, with an extended timeframe for entering Phase One.”

  D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has also said she’s not prepared to begin reopening the city.

  The region’s leaders have spoken often about regional cooperation, but their contrasting announcements also reflect the different realities in each of these jurisdictions.

  “Mayor Bowser doesn’t have any rural areas in D.C., whereas Gov. Northam and I do,” Hogan said on Wednesday. –Hannah Schuster

  

  Howard And American Universities Celebrate With Online Graduation Ceremonies

  May 9, 5:30 p.m.: It’s an event that graduates of the class of 2020 anticipated for years, but not like this. On Saturday, both Howard and American universities celebrated graduation over laptops, livestreams, and slideshows.

  “The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the usual in-person festivities this year, but it cannot extinguish the Howard family’s pride in our graduating seniors,” reads the invitation to Howard’s online ceremony, which streamed on YouTube.

  The event was highlighted by a virtual day party on Instagram Live and nods from Kamala Harris and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

  The mayor also extended her congrats to American University’s class of 2020, tweeting, “While you finish studies in the midst of so much uncertainty, we can be certain about one thing: It will be you & your generation who help us build a more equitable and resilient future.”

  As the coronavirus pandemic has sidelined all plans for in-person commencement ceremonies, at least for now, local universities and high schools have found creative ways to continue marking the occasion.

  “While I’m disappointed that we can not be together in Bender Arena, today is still a celebration of you,” said AU President Sylvia Burwell, kicking off AU’s 139th commencement digitally. [Disclosure: AU holds the license for DCist’s parent company, WAMU]

  Renowned scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. received an honorary degree from AU and gave the commencement address.

  While students didn’t get to walk across the stage physically, Howard plans to invite students back the same weekend next year to do just that. AU will host an in-person ceremony in December, Burwell said. — Elliot Williams

  More Stories from Saturday

  • There Are Now More Than 60,000 Coronavirus Cases Across D.C., Va., And Md.
  • Arlington County To Open First Walk-Up Testing Site

  
  
  There Are Now More Than 60,000 Coronavirus Cases Across D.C., Va., And Md.

  May 9, 12:30 p.m. (updated to reflect correct graphic): Even as Maryland and Virginia start moving toward reopening this month, the two states and the District added 2,106 new COVID-19 cases as of Saturday—marking one of the highest upticks so far this month and bringing the total confirmed cases to 60,832. The new caseload represents a 3.6% increase from Friday and a 31.5% increase from a week ago.

  The three jurisdictions also saw the combined death toll jump by 79, reaching 2,648 coronavirus-related deaths, a 32.2% increase from last Saturday.

  Over the past 24 hours, Maryland saw 1,049 new cases—reporting 31,534 cases in all. The state also confirmed 57 more deaths, bringing the total to 1,510, with another 104 probable deaths waiting for lab results. More than half of the state’s COVID-19 deaths are linked to nursing homes.

  Across Maryland, Prince George’s County has the highest number of cases at 9,205, followed by Montgomery (6,555) and Baltimore (3,737).

  Virginia reported 854 new cases Saturday, marking 23,196 total cases. That’s a 36.6% increase from a week ago. The commonwealth also reported 15 more deaths, bringing the total to 827 deaths.

  Fairfax County, the state’s most populous country, has been hit hardest with 5,610 cases and 230 deaths, followed by Prince William, at 2,548 cases and 47 deaths. Virginia reports 261 outbreaks across the state, 151 of which are at long-term care facilities (one more since Friday).

  The District reported seven more deaths on Saturday, bringing the total to 311. This comes after a day when D.C. marked 19 deaths, tying April 30 for the most fatalities in a single day. D.C. also reported 203 new positive cases, a 27% increase from last week, bringing the total to 6,102 cases.

  Black Washingtonians still make up a disproportionate percentage of D.C.’s deaths, at 79%. The highest number of fatalities come from Ward 8 (68), despite the highest number of cases being reported in Ward 4 (1,203), Ward 5 (971), and Ward 7 (882). The District also began releasing neighborhood-specific data last week, reporting the highest case counts in Columbia Heights and 16th Street Heights.

  Mayor Muriel Bowser has not committed to a timeline for reopening, saying this week that “What we see in all the jurisdictions — D.C., Maryland and Virginia — are growing case counts and continued community transmission. So we know that opening up and people mixing in various ways will lead to increased infections.”— Elliot Williams

  

  Arlington County To Open First Walk-Up Testing Site

  May 9, 8:30 a.m.: Arlington County is set to open its first walk-up coronavirus testing site on Tuesday.

  The county is working with Virginia Hospital Center and Arlington Free Clinic to administer the tests, located at the Arlington Mill Community Center. The site will be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

  “This is an important partnership that will help our more vulnerable or low-income groups who do not have access to cars to walk up and get tested,” said Dr. Reuben Varghese, the county’s public health director, in a statement.

  Patients looking to get tested must get a clinical referral and make an appointment to go to the site. Health insurance is not required at the site for patients.

  The county is the third hardest hit in Virginia with more than 1,200 cases, 227 hospitalizations, and 57 deaths, according to county health data.

  Arlington was one of the first counties in Northern Virginia to set up a drive-thru testing site. However, a short supply of kits and limited lab processing ability hampered the site’s ability to test a large number of people. — Dominique Maria Bonessi

  More Stories from Friday

  • Montgomery County’s Ride On Bus Will Receive $30 Million In Federal Aid
  • Virginia To Receive $8 Million In Federal Funds For Increased Testing
  • Councilmember Trayon White’s Instagram Account Suggests He Would Not ‘Promote’ Vaccination
  • Northam Outlines Phase One Of Reopening, Set To Begin Next Friday
  • Northern Virginia Dominates COVID-19 Count In New Zip Code Data
  • D.C. Could Roll Out Antibody Testing As Early As Next Week
  • Arlington Opens Applications For Small Business Relief Program
  • D.C. And Virginia Record Large Increase In Deaths, Cases Still On The Rise
  • National Unemployment Hits Record Levels
  • Part Of Arlington Road Will Be Closed To Cars To Make Room For Pedestrians, Cyclists

  

  Montgomery County’s Ride On Bus Will Receive $30 Million In Federal Aid

  May 8, 7:07 p.m.: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will receive more than $30 million in federal funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The money will help shore up the county’s Ride On bus service during the pandemic and in recovery.

  “These funds will help mitigate the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on our transit system. I want to thank the dedicated employees of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation for leading our efforts to obtain this aid,” County Executive Mark Elrich said in a press release.

  Like other area transit services, Ride On bus has made significant adjustments to service in response to plummeting ridership and public health advice. The system instituted rear-door bus boarding and stopped collecting fares on March 13, in an attempt to create distance between riders and bus drivers. Buses are being cleaned more frequently. Ride On is also added hazard pay for staff, and it’s keeping standby drivers ready to add buses to busy routes as needed to support better social distancing.

  In all, the CARES Act is providing $1.02 billion in funding for transportation in the D.C. region. Approximately $877 million of that money is being distributed by Metro, with the rest managed by the Maryland Transit Administration and the Potomac and Rappahanock Transportation Commission. –Margaret Barthel

  

  Virginia To Receive $8 Million In Federal Funds For Increased Testing

  May 8, 6:03 p.m.: Virginia is set to receive nearly $8 million in federal funding to expand testing across the state, according to an announcement this afternoon from Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

  Through the Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will give the state $7,961,099 to be split between 26 different health centers.

  Neighborhood Health in Alexandria is slated to receive $536,194 — the third highest grant awarded to one of the 26 centers, behind Eastern Shore Rural Health System and Central Virginia Health services.

  The announcement comes after the Virginia Department of Health released coronavirus data by ZIP code earlier today. A majority of the zip codes with the highest case numbers were in Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Manassas, Arlington, and Woodbridge.

  As Virginia prepares for its first phase of reopening next Friday, Governor Ralph Northam noted in a presser this afternoon that increased testing — along with consistent rates of infection and hospitalization and contact tracing — will be important factors in moving forward towards a broader reopening. As of today, 143,220 people have been tested in Virginia. — Colleen Grablick 

  

  Councilmember Trayon White’s Instagram Account Suggests He Would Not ‘Promote’ Vaccination

  May 8, 5:00 p.m.: Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White’s Instagram account is leaving some to question his stance on vaccinations.

  First reported by Washington City Paper, White had posted a hiring notice for coronavirus contact tracers on his Instagram page late last month. Then a comment was posted by Our City DC — a local media company that advocates for incarcerated residents. It read “vaccination is the end game,” and referenced the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, a U.S. government experiment that studied the progression of the disease on black men without treatment. The study was later considered exploitative and unethical.

  White’s account replied: “you really think I would be promoting something that’s going to be giving vaccines to my people? 🤔”

  According to WCP, the comments have been deleted, and White hasn’t returned their calls, texts, or emails offering any clarification on his comment.

  White’s account statement stirred up quite a response on the Ward 8 Facebook page. Philip Pannell, who lost to White in the 2011 State Board of Education race, responded in a long post — without mentioning White by name — writing, “This type of ill informed advocacy is a contributing factor to why most African Americans do not donate blood or are organ donors.”

  Another group member and former D.C. resident called out Pannell, the executive director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council, for his statements, writing: “As the leader of the Anacostia Coordinating Council who is the recipient of tax dollars, it is extremely unethical to take such a public stance against a statement supposedly made by a sitting Councilmember of the very ward you are supposed to serve.”

  It’s unclear whether White is against vaccinations, or why his Instagram account wrote this comment. –Colleen Grablick

  

  Northam Outlines Phase One Of Reopening, Set To Begin Next Friday

  May 8, 4:21 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced the state would begin phase one of reopening on May 15 — and outlined what this means for businesses across the state — so long as the state’s coronavirus data trends remain consistent throughout the next week.

  Phase one would end Virginia’s nearly 50-day stay-at-home order, and instead instate a “safer-at-home” policy, allowing certain non-essential businesses to reopen with capacity restrictions and mandatory social distancing guidelines. A ban on gatherings of more than 10 people remains in place, and residents are still encouraged to wear masks in public and remain a safe distance from others.

  “We are not opening the floodgates or flipping a light switch from closed to open,” said Northam at Friday’s presser. “We’re taking a dimmer switch and turning up the intensity, as we can and as the numbers allow.”

  Retail businesses and religious centers may all open at 50% capacity, beginning on May 15. Restaurants and breweries that have permits for outdoor seating may open up those seating areas, also limited to 50% capacity. Tables must be spaced apart, and all employees must wear masks. Personal grooming businesses like salons and barber shops may also open at 50 percent capacity, but by appointment only, and with adequate mask supplies and distance between customers.

  Entertainment and amusement venues, beaches, and gyms and fitness centers will all remain closed, with certain exceptions — gyms may host outdoor classes and gatherings that abide by social distancing, and beaches will remain open to exercise and fishing.

  Northam says that this period of reopening will last two weeks at a minimum, and plans for phase two will be informed by data trends in infection, death, and hospitalization rates. As of today, Virginia reported 22,342 confirmed positive cases, and 812 coronavirus-related deaths. Northam noted that regions of the state hardest hit by coronavirus — namely areas in Northern Virginia — may extend restrictions on certain businesses or gatherings past May 15.

  If all goes according to plan, Virginia would be the first in the region — including Maryland and D.C. — to lift a stay-at-home order and reopen certain non-essential businesses. –Colleen Grablick

  

  Northern Virginia Dominates COVID-19 Count In New Zip Code Data

  May 8, 12:30 p.m: The Virginia Department of Health released COVID-19 data by ZIP code Friday. Of the top 20 codes with the highest infections, the majority were in Northern Virginia, including Woodbridge, Arlington, Manassas, and Alexandria.

  Northern Virginia is densely populated, which accounts for some of the high numbers. But state Sen. Scott Surovell (D), who represents parts of Fairfax and Prince William Counties, said the ZIP codes revealed the virus has affected different populations in Northern Virginia unevenly.

  Surovell said five of the top 20 ZIP codes for COVID fell in his district, and they were concentrated in low-income neighborhoods around Route 1. In the two ZIPs with the highest numbers, both in Woodbridge, Latinos make up about 30 percent of the population; black or African American residents comprise between a quarter to a third of the population.

  “What is says to me is that people who have had to keep working over the last eight weeks have much higher infection rates than everyone else,” he said. “Most of the low income, minority workers who live in the Route 1 corridor can’t telecommute.” —Daniella Cheslow

  

  D.C. Could Roll Out Antibody Testing As Early As Next Week

  May 8, 1:22 p.m.: Antibody testing could be starting through D.C.’s public health lab next week, city officials said on Friday.

  LaQuandra Nesbitt, director of the D.C. Department of Health, said that the city is in the final steps of rolling out the tests, which would be used to detect the presence of antibodies that could indicate that a person was at some point infected with COVID-19.

  Given the slow ramp-up of traditional testing for COVID-19, antibody testing is seen as a means to better understand how extensive the spread of the virus has been. A study published this week said antibodies have been found in people who had COVID-19, though there remain questions around what type of immunity those antibodies could confer — and how long it could last. Some countries have even considered issuing special permits to people who have antibodies, allowing them to return to work before the general population.

  While a multitude of antibody tests have been available through private clinics in recent weeks — at significant expense, in some cases — there have been concerns surrounding their accuracy and the possibility of false positives. Nesbitt said in late April that health officials were awaiting a more accurate test before rolling it out in the city. D.C. has acquired tests from Italian manufacturer DiaSorin, and could also eventually start using a test made by Abbott, manufacturer of a rapid-result COVID-19 test in widespread use across the country.

  Nesbitt said that while antibody testing will be available to the general public, city officials want to prioritize health care workers, first responders, and people in congregate settings — all of whom are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19. —Martin Austermuhle
  

  

  Arlington Opens Applications For Small Business Relief Program

  May 8, 11:55 a.m.: The Arlington Small Business Emergency GRANT program from businesses in need of immediate financial relief during the coronavirus pandemic.

  The program will provide grants up to $10,000 to businesses or nonprofit organizations with less than 50 employees, and revenue losses of 35 percent or more as a result of the pandemic. According to the county, the amount of time a business has operated, whether it is minority or women-owned, and the severity of its economic fall-out will all be considered in grant approval. The funds can be used for rent, employee salary and benefits, or other expense operations that are directly related to the coronavirus crisis.

  The $1.2 million program was approved by Arlington Economic Development in mid-April after a survey showed more than 90 percent of local small businesses said the pandemic was “extremely or very disruptive” to business operations. The program’s funding comes from reallocated grants from Arlington County, the Industrial Development Authority, and the Rosslyn and Crystal City BIDs in the FY 2020 budget.

  The move towards local support for small businesses comes after several issues with the federal government’s Payroll Protection Program, the small business loan program established through the $2 trillion CARES Act. While a recent report from the Small Business Administration shows that the program’s second round of funding included smaller loans for businesses, as opposed to large loans for businesses like Shake Shack and Potbelly Sandwich Shop, concerns loom regarding how quickly small businesses in desperate need will receive the federal funding.

  Per Arlington’s new program, a business’ federal applications will not be factored into grant approval. The decisions are set to roll out mid-June.–Colleen Grablick
  

  

  D.C. And Virginia Record Large Increase In Deaths, Cases Still On The Rise

  May 8, 11:37 a.m.: D.C. and Virginia recorded large death tolls this morning, and the number of both cases and fatalities continue to rise across the region.

  Today, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia recorded a total of 2,569 known coronavirus-related deaths, a 34.5% uptick from last Friday. There are now 58,726 total confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 30.4% from one week ago.

  D.C. added another 19 deaths, matching its previous record day-over-day increase on April 30, and recorded 245 more infections. That’s a total of 304 deaths, a 6.7% day-over-day increase, and 5,899 confirmed cases, a 4.3% increase from Thursday. So far 825 people have recovered.

  This week the District released a neighborhood-level map of infections revealing Columbia Heights and 16th Street Heights have the most cases. D.C. Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt said household transmission is a leading concern in these areas. Ward 8 has seen the most deaths (67 people), followed by Ward 5 (50 people), and wards 4 and 7 (42 people). Ward 4 has the greatest number (1,150) of infections. Black residents continue to suffer the most deaths, and Hispanic/Latinx residents have the greatest rate of infection per capita.

  Virginia reported 43 new deaths from the coronavirus on Friday, up 5.6% from yesterday, and 772 new cases. There are now a total of 812 coronavirus-related fatalities in the state, and 22,342 known cases. There have also been another 3 outbreaks, bringing the total to 260 in the Commonwealth. 150 of them are in long-term care facilities, with 3,172 cases and 470 related deaths.

  Fairfax County continues to see the most cases (5,338) and the most deaths (227 people), followed by Henrico with 1,032 cases and 110 deaths, Arlington with 1,281 cases and 57 deaths, and Prince William County (2,474 cases and 46 deaths). The counties with the highest death rate are Greensville, with 60 deaths per 100,000 people, and Emporia, with 59 deaths per 100,000.

  Maryland confirmed 1,453 COVID-19-related deaths this morning—52 of them new—a 3.7% day-over-day increase. The state also reported 107 total probable deaths, meaning the death certificate lists COVID-19 as the cause of death but the case has not yet been confirmed by a lab test. The state recorded another 1,111 cases of the virus for a total of 30,485 known infections, a 3.8% uptick from yesterday. Another 12 people have been released from isolation, 2,041 total.

  Over half, or 803, of the state’s COVID-19 deaths are linked to nursing homes. This number has been revised down by one case since yesterday. Montgomery County has the largest share of nursing home-related fatalities, and has also seen the largest overall number of deaths (324 plus another 31 probable) and has reported 6,316 cases. Prince George’s County has almost as many deaths (323, with another 16 probable cases) and even more cases, with 8,901 known infections. —Julie Strupp

  
  

  

  National Unemployment Hits Record Levels

  Friday, May 8, 9:37 a.m.: The coronavirus pandemic has sent the country’s unemployment rate soaring to levels not seen since the Great Depression. Joblessness rose to a record 14.7% in April, the highest on record since 1948, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  The impact is rippling across all major worker groups, but women, teenagers and Hispanics have been hit hardest. Unemployment reached 13% for adult men, 15.5% for adult women and 31.9% for teenagers. Hispanics lost jobs at a higher rate than any other racial group, with 18.9% unemployed last month, compared to 16.7% of black workers and 14.2% of whites.

  Hospitality and leisure continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic’s economic impact, with unemployment in those sectors plummeting 47% last month.

  Unemployment numbers for D.C., Maryland and Virginia are expected out May 22. Claims for unemployment benefits in all three jurisdictions are also at record highs. —Ally Schweitzer
  

  

  Part Of Arlington Road Will Be Closed To Cars To Make Room For Pedestrians, Cyclists

  May 8, 2020 7:52 a.m.: Starting today, Arlington Road in Montgomery County will be closed to motor vehicles on weekends to increase outdoor recreation space.

  The closure, from Kenwood Forest Lane to the intersection of Little Falls Parkway, will begin at 9:00 a.m. this morning and will continue to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. It will be restricted every weekend in coordination with the Little Falls parkway closure.

  “Making this area available for outdoor recreation will increase the opportunity for the public to get outside while adhering to the COVID-19 distancing guidelines and should not have negative impacts on surrounding residents and businesses,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We will continue to work with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to complement parkways made available for walking and biking and to explore whether this is a viable strategy to address needs in other locations.”

  The road closure will be clearly marked with detour signs, and is not expected to cause major disruption to local residents and businesses. —Victoria Chamberlin

  More Stories from Thursday

  • Jets Will Fly Over Maryland Friday Afternoon To Salute Frontline Workers
  • Facial Masks Required On Amtrak Trains Starting May 11
  • Virginia Lawmakers Can Meet Electronically, Attorney General Says
  • As Regional COVID-19 Cases And Deaths Rise, Nursing Homes Are Hard Hit
  • More Than Three Million New Claims For Unemployment Benefits Filed Last Week
  • Maryland Fines Nursing Home With State’s Highest Death Count For Failing To Protect Residents
  • Pandemic Has Cost D.C. Tourism $1.7 Billion In Lost Revenue

  

  Jets Will Fly Over Maryland Friday Afternoon To Salute Frontline Workers

  May 7, 4:42 p.m.: The Maryland National Guard will fly a formation of four A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft over parts of Maryland Friday afternoon as part of a salute to healthcare workers, first responders, the military, essential workers and all those staying at home to flatten the coronavirus curve.

  “Our Soldiers and Airmen are proud to serve alongside those on the frontlines keeping everyone safe during these challenging times,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy Gowen, adjutant general of Maryland, in a press release. “This day is a small way to show our appreciation to everyone that is doing their part to combat the coronavirus. And to everyone who has been impacted by this pandemic, please know we are in this together and we stand with you.”

  According to flight path plans, the aircraft will start near Bel Air around 1:45 p.m. and the flyover will circle through the state until 3:30 p.m. The aircraft are expected to pass over parts of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County between 2:00 and 2:15 p.m., and Marylanders should expect a few seconds of noise as they fly over.

  In its press release, the Maryland National Guard urged residents not to travel to observe the flyover, and to watch it instead “from the safety of their home-quarantine.” Recently when the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds flew in formation over D.C. and Maryland, crowds gathered on the National Mall to watch.

  As DCist has previously reported, while some embrace the jets for the way they boost morale and signal togetherness, others say essential workers need more than just a salute via aircraft — like hazard pay, personal protective equipment, and access to testing. –Jenny Gathright

  

  Facial Masks Required On Amtrak Trains Starting May 11

  May 7, 4:10 p.m.: Amtrak passengers will soon have to wear masks on trains and in rail stations, the company announced Thursday.

  Beginning May 11, customers in stations, on railcars, and on Thruway buses will have to cover their nose and mouth. Facial coverings won’t be required while passengers are seated alone, traveling with a companion in their own pair of seats or dining in designated areas.

  Amtrak is currently operating on a reduced “essential service plan,” with schedules cut across the board to adjust to reduced demand. Acela service between Boston and Washington has been suspended, but trains are still running along the normally bustling Northeast Corridor route, which serves Boston, New York, D.C., and Richmond.

  The company projected losses of about $700 million this year as ridership has sunk 95% amid the public health emergency. D.C.’s Union Station, usually the second busiest Amtrak hub in the country, has all but emptied out.

  But riders do continue to take Amtrak trains, out of personal preference, or because they have no choice. The company says it is taking steps to protect customers’ health, limiting some bookings to 50% capacity, adopting cashless policies and posting signs reminding people to socially distance.

  “Amtrak continues to operate as an essential service for those who must travel during this public health crisis,” said Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn in a press release. “Our services will be even more critical as our nation recovers.” —Ally Schweitzer

  

  Virginia Lawmakers Can Meet Electronically, Attorney General Says

  May 7, 2:30 p.m.: After convening under outdoor tents last month, Virginia state lawmakers have been given the go-ahead to meet electronically during the public health emergency.

  Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring said so this week in a letter to House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax), who had requested Herring’s official opinion on the matter.

  As long as emergency conditions make it “impracticable or unsafe” to assemble in a single location, Herring wrote, officials can meet remotely. But they have to take steps to make the proceedings available to the public, posting a recording or transcript of virtual meetings online and distributing minutes to relevant community associations.

  Local governments across the region have found themselves scrambling to adapt longstanding public meeting rules to social distancing guidelines. Members of Virginia’s House met in tents on the grounds of the Capitol in Richmond during budget deliberations last month, with senators convening in a spacious pavilion behind the Science Museum of Virginia.

  Members of the D.C. Council, Montgomery County Council, Arlington County Board, and other local governments have been conducting official business online since March.

  Virginia lawmakers are expected to reconvene this summer for a special session, during which they’ll discuss adjusting the state’s budget to reflect enormous revenue shortfalls caused by the pandemic. —Ally Schweitzer

  

  As Regional COVID-19 Cases And Deaths Rise, Nursing Homes Are Hard Hit

  May 7, 11:20 a.m.: Coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Today the three jurisdictions recorded 2,455 known coronavirus-related deaths—a 34.6% uptick from last week—and 56,598 total confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 35% from one week ago.

  Maryland confirmed 1,401 COVID-19-related deaths this morning, 63 of them new, which marks a 4.7% day-over-day increase. The state also reported 102 total probable deaths, meaning the death certificate lists COVID-19 as the cause of death but the case has not yet been confirmed by a lab test. The state recorded another 1,211 cases for a total of 29,374 known infections, a 4.3% uptick from yesterday. Another 126 people have been released from isolation, 2,029 total.

  Over half, or 804, of Maryland’s COVID-19 deaths are linked to nursing homes; state regulators are fining a La Plata nursing home in Charles County with the greatest number of resident deaths. Montgomery County has the largest share of nursing home-related fatalities, and has also seen the largest overall number of deaths (315 plus another 30 probable) and has reported 6,032 cases. Prince George’s County has almost as many deaths (309, with another 15 probable cases) and even more cases: 8,516 known infections.

  D.C. added another 8 deaths and 193 infections, bringing the totals to 285 deaths and 5,654 confirmed cases of the virus, respectively. That marks a 2.9% increase in deaths and a 3.5% increase in infections from the prior day. So far 825 people have recovered.

  The District released a neighborhood-level map of infections yesterday showing Columbia Heights, 16th Street Heights, Brightwood, and Chinatown have the most cases. Ward 8 has seen the most deaths (61 people), followed by Ward 5 (46 people), Ward 4 (40 people) and Ward 7 (39 people). Ward 4 has the greatest number (1,089) of infections. Black residents continue to be disproportionately hard-hit.

  

  Virginia reported a total of 769 number of coronavirus-related fatalities today and 21,570 known cases. The Department of Health website wasn’t updated yesterday due to technical problems, but was back operating this morning. There have also been a total of 257 outbreaks in the Commonwealth; 150 are in long-term care facilities with 3,109 cases and 452 related deaths.

  Fairfax County continues to see the most cases (5,045) and the most deaths (210 people), followed by Henrico with 1,025 cases and 109 deaths, Arlington with 1,248 cases and 52 deaths, and Prince William counties (2,398 cases and 39 deaths). The counties with the highest death rate are Greensville, with 60 deaths per 100,000 people, and Emporia, with 59 deaths per 100,000. —Julie Strupp

  

  More Than Three Million New Claims For Unemployment Benefits Filed Last Week

  May 7, 9:30 a.m.: The economic devastation from the coronavirus pandemic has continued into May, with an additional 3.17 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week, according to numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday morning.

  Over the seven weeks since the pandemic all but shut down the U.S. economy, more than 33 million people across the country have lost jobs and are now looking to state-based unemployment benefits to provide them with some income until a broader reopening can take place.

  Locally, 8,133 additional D.C. residents and 61,138 Virginia residents filed for unemployment benefits last week, a slight decline from the week before in both jurisdictions. In Maryland, though, the number of filers last week hit 65,262, almost twice the week before that.

  The significant uptick is likely linked to the state unveiling a new unemployment benefits portal at the end of April. While the website was initially overwhelmed with traffic, leaving many unemployed workers unable to file applications, state officials said Thursday it is now working smoothly and taking in almost 6,000 applications an hour. —Martin Austermuhle

  

  Maryland Fines Nursing Home With State’s Highest Death Count For Failing To Protect Residents

  May 7, 9:05 a.m.: Regulators in Maryland have hit Sagepoint Senior Living, a 165-bed nursing home in La Plata with the state’s highest death toll from COVID-19, with a $10,000-a-day fine for failing to take steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus among residents.

  The fine, which is retroactive to March 30, was first reported by The Washington Post on Thursday. It’s the first such penalty levied against a nursing home in the state. A spokeswoman for the nursing home told the Post that it had followed CDC guidelines in handling patients who contracted the virus.

  On Wednesday, the Maryland Department of Health said that 793 of the state’s 1,338 victims of the virus — roughly 40% — were residents of nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities or other long-term care settings. There have been 34 deaths among residents at Sagepoint, along with one staff member. Last week, Gov. Larry Hogan ordered universal testing for residents and staff at the state’s nursing homes.

  With more than 11,000 deaths nationwide, nursing homes have become one of the epicenters of the pandemic. This week the American Health Care Association requested $10 billion in federal assistance to pay for personal protective equipment, staff salaries, and hazard pay. —Martin Austermuhle

  

  Pandemic Has Cost D.C. Tourism $1.7 Billion In Lost Revenue

  May 7, 8:44 a.m.: D.C. tourism officials said this week that the coronavirus pandemic has cost the city at least $1.7 billion in lost spending from tourists and an additional $163 million from cancelled conferences and conventions.

  They made the announcement on Wednesday, when they unveiled what would otherwise have been good news: 22.8 million people visited D.C. in 2019, a 4.4% increase over the prior year, spending more than $8.2 billion at local hotels, bars, restaurants, and other businesses.

  With travel all but frozen and local businesses shuttered, those numbers are expected to plummet this year. And while tourism officials say they expect a recovery, it will be a slow one.

  Still, they said Wednesday they expect to start marketing D.C. as a travel destination soon, focusing on the large number of free options the city has to offer, including museums, monuments and parks. —Martin Austermuhle

  More Stories from Wednesday

  • With A Face Mask, Bowser Pays Tribute To Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  • Maryland Gov. Hogan Reopens Parks And Beaches, Loosens Restrictions On Elective Surgeries
  • Maryland Schools To Remain Closed Through End Of School Year
  • Construction Stops In Parts of the Air and Space Museum After Workers Contract COVID-19
  • Northam Says Northern Virginia Could Keep Tighter Restrictions As State Reopens
  • D.C. Rolls Out Funeral Bill Of Rights To Help Protect Families Of Coronavirus Victims
  • DOJ Investigates Maryland Company It Says Failed To Deliver Medical Supplies
  • Cases And Deaths Rise In D.C. And Maryland, D.C. Releases Map Of Infections By Neighborhood

  

  With A Face Mask, Bowser Pays Tribute To Ruth Bader Ginsburg

  May 6, 5:43 p.m.: Interesting mask choice? You be the judge.

  During her daily press briefing on Wednesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser sported a face mask featuring the likeness of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on it.

  “A D.C. resident sent me some masks that have a lot of different designs, and one of them was for Madame Justice. We understand she’s under the weather but working today, so we want to wish her a very speedy recovery,” she said when asked about the mask.

  Bowser was referring to Ginsburg’s hospitalization on Tuesday for a gallbladder infection, another in a series of health scares for the 87-year-old associate justice and D.C. resident. Ginsburg still participated in oral arguments today from her hospital bed.

  As wearing masks has become a requirement (or at least a strong recommendation) across the Washington region, they’ve become as much a statement of pride and identity as they have a means to minimize transmission of the coronavirus.

  In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan has appeared with face masks emblazoned with the state’s flag made by a Towson-based apparel company that also produces masks with the Old Bay logo and crabs on them. And in D.C., Shop Made In D.C. has been selling locally-stitched masks and face coverings — though its out of its stock of RBG masks. —Martin Austermuhle

  

  Maryland Gov. Hogan Reopens Parks And Beaches, Loosens Restrictions On Elective Surgeries

  May 6, 5:25 p.m.: Starting Thursday at 7 a.m., Marylanders will be allowed to go camping, golfing, boating, and fishing while social distancing. Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday that while he hopes to broadly lift the state’s stay-at-home orders next week and begin his first phase of reopening, he wants to give residents opportunities to get outside.

  “Mother’s Day weekend is coming up and I know how anxious people are to get outside both for their physical and mental well-being,” Hogan told reporters at a press conference. “We also know that outside activity is safer than inside activity.”

  Hogan also loosened restrictions on elective surgeries and medical and dental procedures at the discretion of healthcare providers. The state health department has seen downward trends in hospitalizations that would allow them to commence phase one as early as next week, Hogan said. The number of patients in intensive care units has been flat for the past eight days, according to state health department data.

  To assist with reducing hospitalizations, Hogan announced, Gilead Science, a biopharmaceutical company, donated 1,600 doses of Remdesivir, one of the only drugs to be clinically-proven to help reduce the severity of COVID-19. Hospitals in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, the hardest hit in the state, will be receiving those doses. –Dominique Maria Bonessi

  

  Maryland Schools To Remain Closed Through End Of School Year

  May 6, 4:07 p.m.: Public schools in Maryland will remain closed through at least the end of the school year, Maryland’s top education official announced Wednesday.

  The state was just one of three that had not already shuttered campuses for the rest of the academic year to combat the novel coronavirus, according to an analysis by Education Week. Officials in the District and Virginia have already taken similar steps to keep schools closed.

  Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools, Karen B. Salmon, said the State Board of Education will release guidance to school systems on how to move forward. The state educates nearly 900,000 public schoolchildren.

  “I am convinced this is the appropriate decision in order to continue to protect the health and safety of our students, educators, staff, and all members of school communities,” Salmon said. —Debbie Truong

  

  Construction Stops In Parts of the Air and Space Museum After Workers Contract COVID-19

  May 6, 3:50 p.m.: Four construction workers at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum have tested positive for COVID-19, leading parts of the site to shutter for a “deep cleaning,” the Huffington Post reports.

  The popular museum has been undergoing renovations since 2018, including upgrades to its mechanical systems and exterior cladding. Although it and the Smithsonian’s other properties have been closed to the public since mid-March owing to the coronavirus outbreak, the project has continued. Construction is deemed “essential” under D.C.’s shutdown orders, and the Smithsonian Institution describes the Air and Space project, which is funded by Congress, as “mission critical.”

  Smithsonian officials didn’t immediately respond to an email inquiry. A worker at the construction site told the Huffington Post that 400 people are employed on the project. The infected workers were reportedly asymptomatic on the job as of April 30; others who worked alongside them are being required to self-quarantine. The project is a joint venture of the construction companies Clark, Smoot, and Consigli.

  It’s unclear when the closed construction areas will reopen again. A representative for the joint venture told the Huffington Post that the companies have conducted contact tracing and regular cleanings, in addition to other antiviral strategies. “We are working closely with the Smithsonian Institution and our trade partners to share accurate information as it becomes available and remain committed to safely operating in accordance with guidance from government and public health officials,” the representative said.

  The Air and Space Museum isn’t the only site where construction workers have been diagnosed with COVID-19. As of April 24, 11 workers at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill had tested positive for the disease, while more than a dozen confirmed cases were reported at the D.C. Crossing project in Navy Yard. —Andrew Giambrone

  

  Northam Says Northern Virginia Could Keep Tighter Restrictions As State Reopens

  May 6, 3:45 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam held firm Wednesday about modifying Virginia’s lockdown, saying he expects some businesses to be allowed to reopen next week. But he indicated Northern Virginia would be able to keep restrictions tighter to match its higher load of COVID-19 cases.

  “We realize that the greater Washington area is an area that we need to pay particular attention to,” he said. Referring to Alexandria and Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William Counties, Northam said he would speak with their leaders Thursday.

  “As we get closer, if they have concerns and want to raise that floor for another week to whatever they think is necessary, we’ll work with them on that.”

  On Monday Virginia became the first state in the region to set a specific date for a partial reopening after weeks of shutdown to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

  Northam cited data showing hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are holding steady and that hospitals have enough protective equipment. Critics, including Jeff McKay, the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, say infections have not yet shown a sustained decrease that would point to the coronavirus’ being under control.

  Northam and Secretary of Health Dan Carey also dodged a question about whether the state would force long-term care facilities to reveal whether they had seen COVID-19 cases. Lawmakers from both parties have called for a change to Virginia code, which treats medical facilities as individuals entitled to privacy rights and thus not required to disclose that information.

  A large proportion of COVID-19 cases have come from long-term care facilities. —Daniella Cheslow

  D.C. Rolls Out Funeral Bill Of Rights To Help Protect Families Of Coronavirus Victims

  

  May 6, 2:50 p.m.: District funeral homes are now required to advertise their prices for caskets, outer burial containers, and additional services online, as part of new consumer protections established during the coronavirus crisis.

  Funeral homes must also notify customers of their rights to acquire cheaper caskets from other places and to choose discrete services instead of pre-assembled packages when planning ceremonies for the deceased.

  D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine today announced this “bill of rights” for those doing business with funeral homes. Local lawmakers authorized such protections in recent weeks. Racine’s office says it will enforce the measures during the District’s state of emergency, as the death toll from COVID-19 continues to mount. More than 275 people have died from the disease as of May 6, according to the D.C. government.

  “Consumers will now have the benefit of greater transparency and a Bill of Rights to assist them when they interact with funeral homes and like businesses,” Racine said in a statement. “District residents who believe they are being treated unfairly by a funeral home should contact the Office of the Attorney General for help.”

  A 2017 investigation by the attorney general’s office found that some D.C. funeral homes “were allegedly refusing to provide pricing information, padding prices for services provided by third-party vendors, and telling consumers that they could not cancel funeral arrangements made in advance, in violation of consumer protection law,” according to a release. The office separately found that funeral homes’ prices for basic services ranged from $965 to $9,200.

  The new protections also require funeral homes to provide customers with receipts for third-party services, including florists and clergy. Over the past couple of months, area funeral homes have been preparing for an expected surge in bodies because of the coronavirus, with some procuring personal protective equipment and adjusting their storage capacity. —Andrew Giambrone

  

  DOJ Investigates Maryland Company It Says Failed To Deliver Medical Supplies

  May 6, 2:45 p.m.: The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into a company that Maryland says failed to deliver $12.5 million worth of medical supplies, the Washington Post reports.

  Blue Flame Medical LLC, which was founded in March by who the Post calls “two well-connected Republican operatives,” is under scrutiny for contracts it signed with both Maryland and California.

  Maryland officials canceled their contract with the company last week — stating that an order for 1.5 million masks and 110 ventilators had not arrived. The officials also referred the issue to Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh (D).

  “After directing Maryland’s attorney general to investigate this company last week, Governor Hogan is encouraged to hear that there is an ongoing federal investigation as well,” spokesman Mike Ricci told the Post.

  Ethan Berman, a lawyer for Blue Flame, told the newspaper the company “fully intends to honor” its contracts and that the delivery deadline is not until the end of June.

  An April 1 purchase order obtained by the Post lists June 30 as the due date for Maryland’s order. But Ricci said that is simply because the 30th is the end of the fiscal year. The Post says it also obtained a Blue Flame invoice which shows April 14 as the intended shipping date.

  Maryland paid a nearly $6.3 million down payment for the supplies. — Hannah Schuster

  

  Cases And Deaths Rise In D.C. And Maryland, D.C. Releases Map Of Infections By Neighborhood

  May 6, 11:15 a.m.: The number of COVID-19 deaths and new infections continues to rise in D.C. and Maryland.

  The Virginia Department of Health had technical problems overnight and its data was not updated this morning as a result. VDH also had problems a few weeks ago.We will update this post when the new numbers for the commonwealth are released.

  Maryland confirmed 1,338 total COVID-19-related deaths and 28,163 cases of the virus. 1,046 of the cases are new, a 3.9% uptick from yesterday. Another 48 people have died since Tuesday, a 3.7% day-over-day increase. The state also reported 99 total probable deaths, meaning the death certificate lists COVID-19 as the cause of death but the case has not yet been confirmed by a lab test. Another 93 people have been released from isolation, bringing the total to 1,903 recoveries.

  Well over half of the state’s COVID-19 deaths are linked to nursing homes. This number jumped from the 533 reported yesterday to 804 today. Montgomery County has the largest share of nursing home-related fatalities, and has also seen the largest overall number of deaths (304 plus another 29 probable) and has reported 5,790 cases. Prince George’s County has almost as many deaths (296, with another 15 probable cases) and 8,135 known infections.

  D.C. added another 13 deaths and 139 infections, bringing the totals to 277 fatalities and 5,461 confirmed cases of the virus, respectively. That marks a 4.9% increase in deaths and a 2.6% increase in infections from Tuesday. The District reported 808 total recoveries, a big jump from the 667 recoveries reported yesterday.

  The District also released neighborhood-level data for the first time today.

  

  Ward 8 has seen the most deaths (60 people), followed by Ward 5 (45 people), Ward 4 (38 people) and Ward 7 (37 people). Ward 4 has the greatest number (1,044) of infections. Of the 277 who have died, 220 — or 79% — have been black, though only 46% of the District’s population is black. By comparison, white residents make up 10% of COVID-19 fatalities, and 45% of the population. Latinx/Hispanic residents are seeing the highest infection rate, and make up 8% of fatalities. —Julie Strupp

  

  Federal Judge Waives Absentee Ballot Witness Requirement For June Primary

  May 5, 6:35 p.m.: A federal judge in Virginia has ruled that voters will not need a signature from a witness to vote by absentee ballot in the state’s June primary, the League of Women Voters said Tuesday in a press release. The ruling comes after the organization reached an agreement with the state’s attorney general Mark Herring late last month to temporarily waive the requirement, pending acceptance by the court.

  “We are pleased the court saw the pressing need for relief for Virginia voters,” Deb Wake, the president of the League of Women Voters of Virginia, said in the release. “Because of today’s decision, voters will be able to cast their ballots in safety without risking their health to locate a witness.” Herring’s office did not immediately respond to DCist’s request for comment on the decision.

  In April, the League of Women Voters filed a complaint and request for an injunction against the Virginia Board of Elections. The requirement at the time meant that voters would have to find a witness to watch as they opened, filled out, and folded their ballots, and then sign them. The organization, which was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, argued that seeking out a witness could put Virginia residents at increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

  Virginia’s primary will take place on June 23, and voters can register until May 26. —Nathan Diller

  More Stories from Tuesday

  • Chesapeake Bay Bridge Goes Cashless Tolls
  • Five More D.C. Jail Inmates Test Positive For COVID-19
  • Food Delivery Apps Forced To Lower Fees On D.C. Restaurants During Pandemic
  • D.C. Council Nixes Bill Forcing Insurers To Pay Pandemic-Related Claims
  • Nearly 2,300 Deaths Across D.C., Maryland, And Virginia
  • Laurel Ice Rink Used As Temporary Morgue
  • Beaches To Begin Reopening In Ocean City, Md. This Weekend

  

  Chesapeake Bay Bridge Goes Cashless Tolls

  May 5, 6:05 p.m.: You may not be thinking about summer trips across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge right now. But next time you drive over it, you won’t stop at a booth and hand over cash.

  In early 2020, Gov. Larry Hogan asked for all-electronic and cashless tolling, originally to make traffic smoother on the bridge. But since the coronavirus pandemic began, Hogan asked for the final project to be accelerated. The new system goes online Tuesday.

  The electronic and video tolling eliminates interaction at toll booths, which could spread the coronavirus. Several other toll facilities across the region have also gone cashless in recent weeks.

  Drivers will now pay $4 with an E-ZPass or $6 with video pay-by-license-plate billing to cross the Bay Bridge. While the new process won’t completely eliminate notorious backups, the state estimates drivers will save a collective 42,000 hours annually by not waiting at a tollbooth.

  In a statement, the Maryland Transportation Authority said it’s providing toll collectors with educational, job shadowing, and training opportunities to transition into new careers within MDTA and MDOT if they choose. –Jordan Pascale

  

  Five More D.C. Jail Inmates Test Positive For COVID-19

  May 5, 3:49 p.m.: D.C.’s Department of Corrections announced Tuesday that five more inmates at the D.C. Jail have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases among inmates to 158.

  The new patients are all men between the ages of 21 and 33 years old. They are currently in isolation and are being monitored by medical staff, DOC said.

  The news comes after DOC announced Monday that eight more inmates in its facilities had tested positive for the COVID-19.

  Inmates and the union representing D.C. correctional officers have raised concerns about conditions inside the facilities, and both recently sued the department, alleging that it has not done enough to protect inmates and is actively putting officers at risk. So far, one inmate at the D.C. Jail and one correctional officer have died from COVID-19, according to D.C. data. –Nathan Diller

  

  Food Delivery Apps Forced To Lower Fees On D.C. Restaurants During Pandemic

  May 5, 2:17 p.m.: Third-party delivery apps like DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats will be temporarily forced to lower the commissions they charge D.C. restaurants, under emergency legislation that passed the D.C. Council today.

  Restaurant owners have long complained about the fees, with some calling third-party delivery apps a “necessary evil.” That criticism has deepened during the pandemic as restaurants face steep revenue declines.

  Sixty percent of D.C.’s restaurants remain open during the crisis, most taking in about 20% of their usual revenue, according to the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

  The legislation caps commissions at 15% during the city’s declared state of emergency. Normally, the fees can reach as high as 30%, not including tips and fees paid by customers.

  The legislation also bans app companies from appropriating delivery drivers’ pay to recoup lost commissions.

  Tech companies DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates and Uber Eats strongly opposed the bill in a letter to D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, warning that a cap on commissions would make food delivery more expensive, reduce restaurant revenue and eliminate “earning opportunities for thousands of residents.”

  D.C. Councilmembers were not convinced, approving the cap with little debate. Similar measures are in place or under consideration in New York City, Seattle and San Francisco, among other cities. —Ally Schweitzer 

  

  D.C. Council Nixes Bill Forcing Insurers To Pay Pandemic-Related Claims

  May 5, 1:43 p.m.: The D.C. Council has withdrawn controversial legislation that would have required insurance companies to pay for claims from D.C. businesses that have lost income during the pandemic.

  Part of the Council’s latest round of COVID-19 emergency legislation, the provision from Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) aimed to provide financial relief to businesses forced to close under Mayor Bowser’s March shutdown order. Businesses have reported filing claims for income loss under their business interruption policies, only to be rejected by insurers that say pandemic-related losses aren’t covered.

  Insurance companies lobbied heavily against the bill, raising concerns about its constitutionality and overall cost to the insurance industry.

  D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson withdrew the provision after Councilmembers Mary Cheh, David Grosso, Elissa Silverman and Kenyan McDuffie argued against it during Tuesday’s legislative session. Members warned that the legislation could be tied up in litigation for years, making it unhelpful to businesses that need financial assistance now.

  “I am very confident that this will be challenged in court, and I’m very confident that will take a long time to resolve,” Cheh said. “I do not see the insurance companies laying down on this.”

  A D.C. grilled cheese bar recently filed a class action lawsuit against its insurer after being denied coverage for lost income during the public health crisis. —Ally Schweitzer

  

  Nearly 2,300 Deaths Across D.C., Maryland, And Virginia

  May 5, 12:23 p.m.: The number of coronavirus cases and deaths continues to rise in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. There are now 52,695 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the three jurisdictions, up 37% from one week ago. There are 2,267 total known coronavirus-related deaths, a nearly 41% increase from one week ago.

  Maryland confirmed 1,290 coronavirus-related deaths and 27,117 cases of the virus, with 709 of them being new cases. Another 74 people have died since Monday. The state also reported 100 total probable deaths, meaning the death certificate lists COVID-19 as the cause of death but the case has not yet been confirmed by a lab test. Another 115 people have been released from isolation, 1,810 total.

  More than 5,300 of the state’s coronavirus deaths are linked to nursing homes; this number has been revised down from last week, and is unchanged from Monday. Montgomery County has the largest share of nursing home-related fatalities, and has also seen the largest overall number of deaths (292 plus another 28 probable) and has reported 5,541 cases total. Prince George’s County has nearly as many deaths (280, with another 15 probable cases) and 7,831 known infections.

  D.C. added another 6 deaths and 152 infections, bringing the totals to 264 deaths and 5,322 confirmed cases of the virus respectively. So far 667 people have recovered.

  Ward 8 has seen the most deaths (59 people), followed by Ward 5 (42 people), Ward 7 (37 people) and Ward 4 (36 people). Ward 4 has the greatest number (1,009) of infections. Of the 264 deaths, 80% have been among African Americans, though only 46% of the District’s population is black. By comparison, whites make up 10% of COVID-19 fatalities, and 45% of D.C.’s population. Hispanic residents have the highest infection rate (19% of infections) in the District, and make up 8% of fatalities.

  Virginia reported another 29 deaths, bringing its total number of coronavirus-related fatalities to 713. There are another 764 infections, for a total of 20,256 known cases of the virus. There have also been a total of 244 outbreaks in the Commonwealth; 143 are in long-term care facilities, with 2,902 cases and 405 related deaths.

  Fairfax County continues to see the most cases (4,834) and the most deaths (201 people), though its three new deaths are the lowest number in four days. Fairfax County has seen an uptick in cases recently due at least in part to expanded testing. Henrico has 985 cases and 106 deaths, followed by Arlington (1,169 cases and 49 deaths) and Prince William counties (2,223 cases and 33 deaths). —Julie Strupp

  

  Laurel Ice Rink Used As Temporary Morgue

  May 5, 11:32 a.m.: It’s called The Gardens Ice House, “Where skating is always in season.” Young kids learn to skate there, and celebrate birthday parties. Grownups show up before work for pick-up hockey games. But the Ice House has been closed to the public since March 13 following restrictions set in place by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. Now, state officials are using the ice rink to store bodies during the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple reports.

  A Maryland Department of Health spokesperson confirmed the department has a “temporary mortuary affairs center,” in an email to WAMU/DCist. However, the spokesperson declined to confirm the morgue’s location at the Prince George’s County ice rink, writing that the health department had been asked “by the facility and governing county leaders to not disclose the name or location of the facility.”

  “The facility is operational and provides a high-level of dignity and respect for the deceased as they await transport to a funeral home or mortuary facility,” the spokesperson said.

  It was reported in early April that Maryland health officials leased — or were looking to lease — ice rinks. State Health Secretary Robert Neall, speaking to the University of Maryland Board of Regents, said the skating rinks would be “makeshift morgues.”

  According to The Daily Record, Neall told the regents, “Our goal is not to be on television looking like New York.” Neall said his hope in securing the morgues, as well as needed supplies and personnel, was to “get through this with minimal casualties and our dignity intact.”

  As of Tuesday, Maryland has reported 1,290 coronavirus deaths. — Jacob Fenston

  

  Beaches To Begin Reopening In Ocean City, Md. This Weekend

  May 5, 8:40 a.m.: The typically-packed swath of sand at Ocean City has been empty for weeks, but that may be about to change. The town’s mayor decided Monday night to begin the process of reopening the beach and the boardwalk this Saturday, May 9, according to the Salisbury Daily Times.

  The reopened beach is intended for local use, at least initially. Restaurants are still closed, except for takeout, and hotels and short-term rental units are still restricted to only housing “essential lodgers,” such as health workers, first responders and law enforcement. Masks will not be required on the beach, but social distance will be.

  The beach opening comes earlier than expected: just last week, Mayor Rick Meehan said the beach would remain closed until at least May 15. Meehan initially ordered the beach closed on March 22.

  Maryland continues to be under a stay-at-home order, which was put in place by Governor Larry Hogan on March 30. Beaches in neighboring Virginia and Delaware remain closed. —Jacob Fenston

  More Stories from Monday

  • More Than A Quarter Of D.C.’s COVID-19 Deaths Are In Long-Term Care Facilities
  • Facing Massive Air Traffic Declines, Layoffs Hit Contracted Workers At Dulles
  • More Than 150 D.C. Inmates Have Tested Positive For COVID-19
  • Virginia Will Partially Reopen On May 15, Governor Says
  • D.C. Attorney General Sues Ward 7 Convenience Store For Price Gouging
  • Half Of D.C.’s Infant COVID-19 Cases Are In The Hispanic and Latinx Community
  • DOJ Backs Virginia Church In Legal Dispute With Northam
  • Cases Exceed 51,000, Deaths Top 2,100 In D.C., Maryland And Virginia
  • New Amtrak Boarding Plan Takes Effect At Union Station
  • Coronavirus Testing Site Moves From FedEx Field To Cheverly

  

  More Than A Quarter Of D.C.’s COVID-19 Deaths Are In Long-Term Care Facilities

  May 4, 9:10 p.m.: More than a quarter of the coronavirus deaths in D.C. are in long-term care facilities, according to data released Monday. Seventy residents and two staff members have died. That’s out of a total of 258 deaths in the city.

  There are another 247 positive cases among residents and 85 among personnel. The largest outbreak is at Transitions Healthcare Capitol City where 12 residents have died and another 50 are infected. At the Inspire Rehabilitation and Health Center, seven residents have died and 35 residents have tested positive.

  BREAKING: DC reports 70 #COVIDー19 deaths at long term care facilities. Up from 14 on April 22, the last time DC provided data. That’s almost 1/4 of the 258 deaths. @nbcwashington https://t.co/F3KzQ2WS80 pic.twitter.com/emK7hdLjgL

  — Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) May 4, 2020

  Around the country, nursing homes have been the site of some of the worst coronavirus outbreaks due to the high concentration of older, vulnerable residents.

  Cases in long-term care facilities represent a significant portion of COVID-19 cases in Maryland as well. Maryland began releasing statewide data about these cases last week which revealed there are more than 4,800 cases of the virus in the state’s long-term care centers and group homes. That’s under a fifth of the state total. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) also announced that every nursing home resident would get a coronavirus test.

  Unlike D.C. and Maryland, Virginia does not release facility-level data on coronavirus cases and deaths in long-term care centers, though the state has broken it down by county. –Hannah Schuster

  This story has been updated to correct what information Virginia releases on outbreaks in long-term care centers.

   

  

  Facing Massive Air Traffic Declines, Layoffs Hit Contracted Workers At Dulles

  May 4, 4:15 p.m: Nearly 400 contracted baggage workers, skycaps and cleaners have been laid off at Dulles International Airport, according to a service worker union, SEIU32BJ.

  The layoffs are pegged to the downturn in airport traffic due to the coronavirus. ABM, the contractor who employs the workers at Dulles, was not immediately available for comment.

  The Transportation Security Administration says it’s routinely screening 95 percent fewer people than the same time last year.

  This comes on top of layoffs announced in March, including about 800 workers across Dulles, Reagan National and BWI airports.

  The union says Congress allocated $3 billion dollars for aviation contractors as part of the coronavirus aid package, but many say they haven’t received any money yet. The union estimates 65,000 airline contractor employees have been laid off nationwide. —Jordan Pascale

  

  More Than 150 D.C. Inmates Have Tested Positive For COVID-19

  May 4, 3:45 p.m.: The D.C. Department of Corrections has announced eight more cases of COVID-19 among inmates in its facilities, bringing its total number of cases to 152.

  The new patients, who are all men between 28 and 49 years old, are in isolation at D.C.’s Central Detention Facility and are being monitored by health staff.

  A total of 55 residents who tested positive are now in isolation. Four inmates are in the hospital.

  Both inmates and the union representing D.C. correctional officers have sued the Department of Corrections during the coronavirus outbreak. They allege unsafe conditions that have allowed for the spread of the virus. One D.C. Jail inmate and one correctional officer have died of COVID-19.

  Earlier today, D.C. Department of Health director LaQuandra Nesbitt said transmission in congregate settings like detention centers, homeless shelters and assisted living facilities has recently started to decrease. —Mikaela Lefrak

  

   Virginia Will Partially Reopen On May 15, Governor Says

  May 4, 3:30 p.m.: “We will reopen Virginia next Friday,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday, extending his previous ban on nonessential businesses for a week while detailing how this start of a return to normalcy would work.

  “Here’s the bottom line,” Northam said in explaining Phase I of opening the economy. “You’ll be able to get your hair cut, but you’ll need an appointment, and you’ll see new safety measures in the salon.”

  Northam explained that the first phase of opening for business would permit gatherings of fewer than 10 people and would ease limits on communities of faith, while still encouraging businesses to use telework to keep their workers apart. He said his office would publish additional guidelines for businesses like restaurants, retail stores, salons and gyms.

  The idea for this first phase, Northam said, is to emphasize “safer at home” rather than “safe at home.”

  He estimated the first phase of reopening would last about three weeks, followed by additional easing of restrictions in Phases II and III, provided that numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths continued to trend downward.

  Northam said this gradual reopening would occur as testing ramped up and the state expanded its ability to trace the spread of the pandemic by hiring some 1,000 contact tracers. Over the weekend more than 6,000 people were tested per day, although that is well below Northam’s target of about 10,000 tests per day.

  Asked whether he would consider easing restrictions for rural areas first, Northam said no, because that could encourage people from more hard-hit areas to visit more open rural areas, potentially spreading disease. Further, he added, “what I worry about if we do have one region open rather than another, it just is a tremendous potential for more division.” —Daniella Cheslow

  

   D.C. Attorney General Sues Ward 7 Convenience Store For Price Gouging

  May 4, 2:10 p.m.: D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine on Monday announced his office’s first lawsuit against a District business for price gouging during the coronavirus pandemic.

  An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found that Helen Mart, a convenience store on Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE, was charging $12.99 for 121-ounce bottles of Clorox bleach — a rate that’s about 200% higher than prices at other local stores. The store continued to sell bottles at the price, the attorney general’s office says, despite a cease and desist letter sent to Helen Mart on April 23.

  “Price gouging in a time of a public health emergency is illegal, and the Office of the Attorney General will enforce the law against stores like Helen Mart that flatly refuse to adhere to a cease and desist letter that it received from my office,” Racine said in a news release. “Residents who believe they are being overcharged should contact OAG. My office will file lawsuits to stop retailers from taking advantage of consumers’ urgent health needs during this crisis.”

  Helen Mart could not immediately be reached for comment.

  Racine’s office has received more than 120 complaints about price gouging since March 11, the date the city declared a state of emergency, triggering the Natural Disaster Consumer Protection Act into effect. In that time, it has issued nearly two dozen cease and desist notices. Under the law, retailers are barred from increasing prices by more than 10% when compared with their rates in the 90 days prior to the emergency order.

  The fine for price gouging in the District is $5,000 per offense. —Eliza Berkon

  

  Half Of D.C.’s Infant COVID-19 Cases Are In The Hispanic and Latinx Community

  May 4, 1:12 p.m.: Nearly half of the 24 infants who have tested positive for COVID-19 in D.C. are Hispanic or Latinx, according to city statistics. The District has 5,170 total positive cases as of today.

  People who identify as Hispanic or Latinx make up 19% of D.C.’s total COVID-19 cases but only 9.1% of the city’s population as of the 2010 U.S. census. The percentage of cases in the Hispanic and Latinx community has been on the rise in the past few weeks.

  D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said cases are increasing in two neighborhoods in particular — 16th Street Heights and Columbia Heights. City officials say both of those neighborhoods are home to Hispanic and Latinx essential workers, many of whom work in construction or the service industry.

  The average number of individuals per household in those neighborhoods are higher than the city average. D.C. Department of Health director LaQuandra Nesbitt said the city will place a renewed focus on curbing household transmission. Transmission in congregate settings like homeless shelters, assisted living facilities and detention centers has decreased recently.

  The District’s black community has been even harder hit. Black residents make up nearly half of the COVID-19 cases in the city and 79% of deaths. —Mikaela Lefrak

  

   DOJ Backs Virginia Church In Legal Dispute With Northam

  May 4, 12:25 p.m.: The Department of Justice filed a statement of interest Sunday supporting a Chincoteague church claiming that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is violating the First Amendment’s freedom of religion over coronavirus-related restrictions.

  “This case raises issues of national public importance regarding the interplay between the government’s compelling interest in protecting public health and safety from COVID-19 and citizens’ fundamental right to the free exercise of religion,” the statement reads.

  According to the DOJ filing, the Lighthouse Fellowship Church held a worship service on April 5 with 16 people “while maintaining rigorous social-distancing and personal-hygiene protocols.” At the conclusion of the service, the local police department cited the church pastor for violating Northam’s executive order banning gatherings of more than 10 people, which includes religious institutions. The church filed a lawsuit April 24 with a U.S. District Court, which denied its request for an injunction. The church then filed for an appeal on Saturday.

  In a court filing issued Sunday, Northam’s legal representation notified the court of the governor’s intent to respond May 7 to both the church’s motion for an injunction pending appeal and the DOJ statement of interest.

  “[The] Plaintiff and the Federal Government misconstrue the nature of Virginia’s gathering ban in ways that materially impact their arguments that it is neither ‘generally applicable’ nor ‘religion-neutral,” the notice reads.

  The DOJ decision comes a week after U.S. Attorney General William Barr directed federal prosecutors to evaluate whether state and local policies enacted during the pandemic are protecting civil liberties, and may be an indicator of future federal involvement as local jurisdictions establish and try to maintain restrictions promoting social distancing.

  In April, a Lynchburg gun range was allowed to reopen after a state judge ruled that Northam did not have the authority to close gun ranges, due to a Virginia statute patterned after the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. —Eliza Berkon

  

   Cases Exceed 51,000, Deaths Top 2,100 In D.C., Maryland And Virginia

  May 4, 11:43 a.m.: Cases and deaths continue to rise in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, albeit more slowly than in days past.

  There are now 51,070 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the three jurisdictions, up nearly 4% from Sunday and 38% from one week ago. There are 2,158 total known coronavirus-related deaths, a 3% uptick from yesterday and a 44% increase from one week ago.

  Maryland has confirmed 1,216 COVID-19-related deaths and 26,408 cases of the virus; 946 of those cases are new, marking nearly a 4% uptick from yesterday. Another 34 people have died since Sunday, a 3% day-over-day increase. The state also reported 101 total probable deaths, meaning the death certificate lists COVID-19 as the cause of death but the case has not yet been confirmed by a lab test. Another 29 people have been released from isolation, 1,695 total.

  Nearly half, or 533, of the state’s COVID-19 deaths are linked to nursing homes, and Montgomery County has the largest share of related fatalities. This number has been revised down from last week. Montgomery County has seen the largest overall number of deaths (274, plus another 27 probable) and has 5,384 known cases of the virus. Prince George’s County’s COVID-19 death toll has reached 271 with another 13 probable cases, and the county has 7,598 known infections.

  D.C. added another 7 deaths and 154 infections, bringing the totals to 258 deaths and 5,170 confirmed cases of the virus, respectively. That marks a nearly 3% increase in deaths and in infections from Sunday. So far 666 people have recovered.

  Ward 8 has seen the most deaths (57 people), followed by Ward 5 (40 people), and wards 4 and 7 (36 each), while Ward 4 has the greatest number (980) of infections. Of the 258 deaths, 79% have been black residents, though only 46% of the District’s population is black. By comparison, white residents make up 10% of COVID-19 fatalities, and 45% of the population.

  Virginia reported another 24 deaths — a 3.6% uptick from yesterday — bringing its total number of coronavirus-related fatalities to 684. There are another 821 infections, up 4.4% from yesterday, for a total of 19,492 known cases of the virus. There have also been a total of 239 outbreaks in the Commonwealth, 140 in long-term care facilities with 382 related deaths.

  Fairfax County saw an uptick in cases recently due to expanded testing. Fairfax continues to see the most cases (4,615) and the most deaths (198 people), followed by Henrico (964 cases and 105 deaths), Arlington (1,139 cases and 47 deaths) and Prince William counties (2,146 cases and 32 deaths). The counties with the highest death rateare Greensville, with 60.2 deaths per 100,000 people; Emporia, with 58.6 deaths per 100,000; Mecklenburg, with 32.6 deaths per 100,000; and Henrico, with 31.9 deaths per 100,000. —Julie Strupp

  

   New Amtrak Boarding Plan Takes Effect At Union Station

  May 4, 10:15 a.m.: New boarding procedures on Amtrak trains take effect today at Union Station to promote social distancing.

  To discourage lines, Amtrak is suspending priority boarding and adjusting boarding times.

  Travelers with checked luggage should arrive at the station no more than one hour before departure, and those without checked bags should get to the station no more than 30 minutes prior.

  Amtrak is also capping reservations at 50% of train capacity and requiring staff at Union Station and on board to wear masks. Passengers are also encouraged to wear facial coverings.

  In March, Amtrak canceled nonstop Acela service between D.C. and New York through May 26. —Eliza Berkon

  

  Coronavirus Testing Site Moves From FedEx Field To Cheverly

  May 4, 9:15 a.m.: A new COVID-19 testing site opens this morning in Cheverly, Maryland, replacing a site at FedEx Field.

  Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks says the move from the Landover stadium, whose testing operations closed last week, will allow the county to continue testing operations regardless of changes in the weather.

  “By moving testing operations to our Cheverly Health Clinic, we will be able to test at least 200 people per day,” Alsobrooks said in a press release. “Expanding testing capacity, as well as ensuring equitable access to testing for all residents, will be a critical factor in helping us reopen Prince George’s.”

  The testing facility will be open by appointment Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and is accepting patients who arrive by car or on foot. Residents seeking an appointment should call the county’s hotline at 301-883-6627.

  The county is also looking to secure two additional testing sites. —Eliza Berkon

  For more on how coronavirus has impacted the D.C. region, see these updates from the week of April 27-May 3.