What the Data Shows
Maryland and Virginia are reporting an upward trend in COVID-19 cases this month, while D.C.’s numbers have been improving.
Maryland’s cases have been climbing since early March. Between March 14 and Wednesday, the seven-day weekly average of new cases has grown from 752 to 1,404.
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Hospitalizations have also been high, and 1,236 Marylanders are currently being treated for COVID-19.
Gov. Larry Hogan says more than half of adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and over 80% of seniors have gotten shots.
Virginia has documented more fluctuations in their average case numbers, but for the past week, more than a thousand residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 daily on average. On Wednesday, the weekly average is at 1,098.
More Virginia residents with COVID-19 are also being treated in hospitals, totaling 926.
D.C. reported the city’s largest one-day jump in cases so far this month on Wednesday, 193. The seven-day average grew to 126 and the number of residents hospitalized fell to 135.
Local Coronavirus Headlines
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking into the March death of a Virginia woman as part of its investigation into the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
- Maryland, D.C. and Virginia each canceled Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations after the CDC and FDA recommended a pause in use of the shot after six women reported rare blood cots.
- The Washington Nationals and DC United are allowed to increase capacity at home games from 10% to 25%. Monumental Sports will also allow 10% capacity for Capitals and Wizards home games.
- The Virginia Employment Commission says that jobless workers collecting unemployment compensation will soon have to look for jobs again to receive benefits.
- Some mass vaccination sites in Maryland are offering a limited number of walk-up shots every day, no appointment needed.
- A new mass vaccination site opened last week at the Greenbelt Metro station in Prince George’s County. It offers shots to anyone, not just Maryland residents. Go online here to create an account.
- NBC News is making finding information on when, how and where to obtain your coronavirus vaccination easier with its Plan Your Vaccine website.
Key Charts and Graphs
The vaccinated population in D.C. may be overestimated in this map because some non-residents who work in D.C. are included in the totals.
Vaccination Portals by County
As vaccinations in our region ramp up, here's a look at local portals residents can use to sign up for vaccination appointments or sign up to receive alerts.
- Washington, D.C. signups – vaccinate.dc.gov
- Maryland signups – www.marylandvax.org/ and covidvax.maryland.gov
- Virginia pre-registration – https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/preregister.html
- Montgomery County – www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/
- Prince George's County – www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3730/COVID-19-Vaccination
- Howard County – www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Health/MM-Alerts-and-Recalls/COVID-19-Vaccine
- Anne Arundel County – aacounty.org/covidvax
- Fairfax County – www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/vaccine
- City of Alexandria – www.alexandriava.gov/health/info/default.aspx?id=119270
- Loudoun County – www.loudoun.gov/covid19vaccine
- Prince William County – coronavirus.pwcgov.org/vaccine-information/ & VDH
How to Stay Safe
Anyone can get COVID-19. Here are three simple ways the CDC says you can lower your risk:
- Wear a snug-fitting mask that covers your nose and mouth.
- Avoid being indoors with people who are not members of your household. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19. If you are indoors with people you don’t live with, stay at least six feet apart and keep your mask on.
- Wash your hands often, especially after you have been in a public place.