D.C., Maryland, and Virginia reported the second-highest combined number of COVID-19 cases in almost a month on Tuesday. While Tuesday’s numbers mark an uptick, they are still largely in line with a plateau in new cases in the region that has held since mid-June.
The region reported 1,184 new cases, bringing the newly combined total to 147,705.
The District reported 54 new cases, while Maryland saw 492 new cases, and Virginia recorded 638. D.C. reported no new fatalities for the first time since June 30, while Maryland saw 20 new deaths and Virginia reported 28.
The numbers marked the second-highest jump in combined cases since June 13, which saw a total of 1,405 new infections.
The numbers are also notable after the region reported its lowest daily increase in cases since April 3 on Monday at just 659, according to the Washington Post.
The D.C., Maryland, and Virginia departments of health did not immediately respond to DCist/WAMU’s request for comment on the reason for the increase.
The uptick comes as Virginia has continued to ease restrictions in recent weeks, moving to Phase Three of their reopening plans, while both Maryland and D.C. have opted to remain in Phase Two.
Local officials and public health experts in the District and Montgomery County have voiced their concerns about the region’s piecemeal reopening.
Boris Lushniak, the dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Health, told the Post on Monday, “It’s not the best public health measure to break the region apart in this manner. . . . I would have preferred for this to be done in a more coordinated fashion.”
D.C. officials have declined to specify a timeline for moving into Phase Three, but the criteria includes being able to sufficiently track new cases, hospital bed capacity, and other factors.
Officials in Northern Virginia have also warned residents not to get too casual. “I think there is a concern that as you move to Phase Three, that signals to folks that, you know, all bets are off, you can do whatever you want,” Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson told DCist/WAMU last month. “We’re trying to emphasize to folks that we need to continue to keep our guard up.”
