What the Data Shows
The coronavirus data is showing a sunnier outlook during May in the D.C. area: New cases and hospitalizations continue to fall, and nearly half of Maryland and Virginia residents are partially or fully vaccinated.
Across the board, seven-day average numbers of new cases are at their lowest levels since October.
D.C. added just 39 cases on Thursday. One more resident, a 64-year-old woman, died of COVID-19. Hospitalizations are at 111, in line with figures from the past week.
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D.C. says 36.3% of residents have gotten a shot as of April 30. Nearly one-third of people vaccinated by D.C. have been non-residents, including many essential workers.
Virginia added 734 cases, and 21 residents died. A total of 702 Virginians were hospitalized, about one-fifth of the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals at the peak on Jan. 12.
Virginia has administered at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose to 45.9% of residents, and one-third of residents are fully vaccinated. Local health departments have vaccinated the most people (1.8 million), followed by pharmacies (1.7 million).
Maryland added 578 cases and nine residents died. The number of current hospitalizations has steadily declined for two weeks, now reaching 901.
Maryland has given at least one vaccine dose to 46% of residents and one-third of residents have gotten two doses. Another 3% of residents got the one-dose shot.
Local Coronavirus Headlines
- D.C. banned dancing at weddings as part of COVID-19 restrictions, sparking repeated questions for Mayor Muriel Bowser. While the District’s COVID restrictions have said from the start that people must remain seated at restaurants, nightclubs and gatherings, new regulations published this week spell out the no-dancing provision for the first time. The prospect of weddings without a first dance or father-daughter dance is causing confusion and stress for event planners and soon-to-be newlyweds.
- The Washington Football Team intends to allow full capacity crowds into FedEx Field for home games in 2021, the franchise announced Thursday.
- Virginia will lift all capacity and social distancing restrictions on June 15 if COVID-19 case numbers continue to drop and vaccination rates continue to rise, the governor said Thursday.
- Children's National Hospital has opened COVID-19 vaccine preregistration for 12- to 15-year-olds who live in D.C. or Prince George's County. Although no vaccine is yet available to adolescents, the hospital is preparing for the Food and Drug Administration to green-light emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine for kids over 12.
- The Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, reopened Wednesday after a months-long closure due to COVID-19. Here's what's new.
- The school year will look more like normal for public school students in Prince William County this fall. Kids will be back in the classroom five days a week, according to a new plan put together by a task force. However, virtual learning will remain an option for students.
- Virginia already has a plan on how the state will tackle giving shots to adolescents. State health officials said they plan to start vaccinations by the end of the month. Plans are in place to set up vaccine clinics at schools. Maryland and D.C. have not yet announced their plans.
- Maryland is offering state employees $100 each to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees will have to show proof of full vaccination to their human resources departments and must agree to receive all subsequent CDC-recommended booster vaccinations within a year and a half of being fully vaccinated. If the employees choose not to receive those booster shots, they'll have to pay the $100 back to the state.
- The National Museum of the Marine Corps, located in Triangle, Virginia, will reopen May 17 after closing because of COVID-19, museum officials announced Tuesday.
- D.C. has loosened rules for vaccinated people on face coverings, travel and self-quarantining, but following an update to a May 1 executive order, the mayor's office made it clear that no one can walk into a restaurant or business without a mask. Businesses can, however, require proof of vaccination.
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan lifted the state's outdoor mask mandate last week, saying "consistent improvements" in the state's health metrics allowed officials to take steps to "continue our health and economic recovery." Face masks are still required at large, ticketed venues and indoors.
- The National Zoo and several other Smithsonian facilities in the D.C. area are set to reopen this month. Here's how to plan your visit.
- 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
Here's a look at local portals that D.C.-area residents can use to sign up for vaccination appointments or 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.
