Coronavirus in DC, Maryland, Virginia: What to Know on March 7

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says the state has administered 50,000 vaccines in a single day for the first time.

The state delivered 50,484 doses of COVID-19 vaccines over the past 24 hours, setting a record for the state, Hogan said in a statement Saturday. 

Maryland also surpassed 1.5 million total vaccinations. About 6 million people live in the state.

Nearly half of all Marylanders age 65 and over have received at least their first dose of the vaccine.

The increased numbers come as states cross the country have been able to accelerate vaccine administration.

Hogan said the state has the ability to administer 100,000 doses a day if it can ever get that many doses from the federal government.

DC High-Capacity Vaccine Sites Get Rave Reviews on First Day 

The District’s high-capacity COVID-19 vaccination clinics received rave reviews from many residents who showed up for their one-shot dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

The clinic located at the Walter Washington Convention Center was set to provide at least 2,500 people with vaccines on its first day, Saturday. Some said there were no lines and no waiting, and there were even those who said they got their shot early. 

“It was a model process. It was easy. It was wide open. It felt very safe and very professional. I’m really grateful to everyone involved,” one woman said.

“They finally got it right!” another woman said. 

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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.

What the Data Shows

D.C. announced another 146 cases of the virus. No additional people died. The seven-day rolling average of new cases was down slightly. There was no change in the number of people hospitalized with the virus. 

Maryland announced 709 more cases of the virus and the deaths of 14 more people. The seven-day average was up slightly. Twelve fewer people were hospitalized with the virus.

Virginia announced 899 more cases of the virus. Fourteen more people died. The seven-day average was up slightly. Nineteen fewer people were hospitalized with the virus.

Local Coronavirus Headlines

•  In the next few weeks, many more Virginians will be heading to pharmacies for their shots. But there's still one problem — not all the pharmacies can coordinate with the state's vaccine waiting list.
• D.C. expanded vaccine eligibility, meaning residents over 65, working essential jobs or with certain chronic conditions can try to book appointments. But many residents were stopped from registering by technical problems.
• D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser lost her only sister and oldest sibling to COVID-19. 
• More than 1,000 Washington, D.C., residents have now died of COVID-19.
• NBC News is making finding information on when, how and where to obtain your coronavirus vaccination easier with its Plan Your Vaccine website.
• Medical schools across the country report a spike in applications, especially from students of color. At Georgetown University’s medical school, applications are up 24% overall and 40% from underrepresented minorities. The University of Maryland along with Howard University have also seen a rising number of applicants.
• Many D.C. restaurant workers who already were coping with the safety hazards and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic also are facing increased sexual harassment, a report from a labor organization says. 
• Face masks are required in all National Park Service buildings, and on land maintained by the Park Service when physical distancing is not possible, federal officials have said. 

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Reopening Tracker

• Virginia dropped its curfew and relaxed some other COVID-19 restrictions, including on outdoor gatherings, as of March 1.
• Thousands of students returned to classrooms as schools reopened Feb. 16 in Frederick County, Maryland, and in Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia.0
• Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam directed all schools to offer in-person classes by March 15, saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other leaders say it's possible to reopen safely.
• The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously to bring all students back in-person for hybrid learning by March 16.
• D.C. lifted its ban on indoor dining, but libraries and recreation centers are still closed.
• Bars and restaurants in Maryland can remain open past 10 p.m starting Feb. 1. Restaurants will still have to operate at no more than 50% indoor capacity.
• All Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo remain closed due to COVID-19.

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.