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IronLionZion

(45,269 posts)
Mon May 25, 2020, 09:24 AM May 2020

Spike in D.C. numbers, crowds at Maryland, Virginia beaches and boardwalks renew coronavirus concern

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crowds-at-maryland-virginia-beaches-and-boardwalks-renew-coronavirus-concerns/2020/05/24/3be563c0-9c5f-11ea-ac72-3841fcc9b35f_story.html

As the total number of coronavirus infections in the Washington region topped 90,000 Sunday and fatalities hit 3,880, a one-day spike in the District’s numbers raised questions about whether it can begin reopening as expected on Friday. And social media ­images of a crowded Ocean City boardwalk and an unmasked Virginia governor mingling with beachgoers had many wondering whether safety guidelines meant to contain the disease were being taken seriously enough.

LaQuandra Nesbitt, director of the D.C. health department, said in a call with reporters Sunday that data collected over the weekend shows that the number of cases linked to community spread — calculated by the date of symptom onset and excluding cases at confined facilities such as nursing homes — increased from a low of 68 on day 12 to 118 on day 13. This jump broke a 12-day streak of declines and meant the city had to “reset” to day 11, Nesbitt said.

She declined to say whether that means the city is reconsidering lifting restrictions on Friday, deferring questions to Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), who is expected to announce her decision Tuesday.

The District on Sunday recorded five deaths and 144 new infections, just above the seven-day average of 141.

“We’ll have to let the graph speak for itself,” Nesbitt said.


Lots of people outside this weekend enjoying the nice weather after staying at home the last 2 months. It's nice to be outdoors but I would avoid people as much as possible. That can conflict with supporting businesses in beach communities that depend on visitors but they should find a better way to do it. Here in DC there are more people on the mall and food trucks to serve them snacks, but indoor dining is still closed.

Governor Northam is playing a dangerous game in VA. It feels like it was too soon to be posing for pictures with people without masking or social distancing.
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