The United States has recorded 24 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, according to a tally by NBC News.
As of Sunday, the U.S. has also reported nearly 400,000 coronavirus-related deaths.
Virginia reported more new cases of COVID-19 on Monday than on any other day since the pandemic began, breaking a record set on Sunday.
The commonwealth announced 5,387 new cases. Five more people died.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
D.C. has closed COVID-19 testing at all fire houses as well as Judiciary Square until after Inauguration Day. All test sites will be closed on Inauguration Day.
Virginia does not have nearly enough doses of COVID-19 vaccines to meet demand and does not expect federal supplies to increase until March or April, officials say.
Adding to the frustration, Fairfax County's registration system crashed because so many people tried to sign up.
Some jurisdictions have stopped taking appointments for shots.
The Loudoun Health District appealed directly to Gov. Ralph Northam for more vaccines in order to open a third vaccine site.
School nurses there will be able to start vaccinating teachers soon.
Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti announced Monday that the county’s ability to inoculate those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is also limited only by the availability of supply.
“Today Arlington will be inoculating 900 Arlington County teachers, after inoculating 900 on Saturday,” de Ferranti said. “We have the capacity to do at least 2,000 doses per day or 14,000 per week, and we can do more if we were assured a greater supply."
As of Monday, Arlington County is only being promised 1,400 doses of vaccine this week, officials announced.
Maryland is moving into Phase 1B of vaccinations starting Monday.
Marylanders age 75 and older, all residents at long-term care facilities, and teachers and education staff will be eligible, Gov. Larry Hogan announced at a press conference Thursday.
Anyone of any age living in assisted-living or independent-living facilities, behavioral health group homes, or homes centered on developmental disabilities will be eligible.
Phase 1B also includes all K-12 teachers, education staff and child care providers, the governor said.
Starting Monday, Maryland hospitals and county health departments will begin utilizing their remaining vaccine doses for elderly recipients in Phase 1B.
Nearly 1,500 new COVID-19 vaccination appointments opened up to D.C. residents 65 or older on Monday at 9 a.m., the District's health department announced. The appointments were also available to any D.C. health care worker.
Eligible residents can go here to try to set up an appointment: coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc.
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 information – www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/
- 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 – aahealth.org/covid-19-vaccine-faq/
- 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
To get a better idea of when you'll be eligible to receive a vaccine, use our tool below.
A new study has found that as COVID-19 vaccines roll out, they are disproportionately reaching white populations before Black and other minority communities.
What the Data Shows
For the second day in a row, Virginia reported its largest single-day increase since the pandemic began.
Virginia reported 5,387 new coronavirus cases and five lives lost on Monday.
D.C. reported 182 new cases and seven additional deaths. Maryland reported 1,769 new cases and 29 additional lives lost.
Seven-day averages rose for Virginia but decreased in D.C. and Maryland.
Hospitalizations continue to remain leveled off in D.C. (275), Maryland (1,850) and Virginia (2,779).
More than a half-million people in the D.C. region have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Local Coronavirus Headlines
- Three members of the House have announced that they have tested positive for COVID-19, including Rep. Brad Schneider, of Illinois, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, of New Jersey, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, of Washington – all Democrats.
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's proposed economic relief package would provide $750 for qualifying families if approved by state legislators.
- Maryland reported its first two confirmed cases of the U.K. variant of COVID-19.
- D.C. residents age 65 and older, teachers and several categories of essential workers will be able to make appointments this month to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, officials say.
- More than 1,400 long-term care facilities in Virginia are expected to receive doses of the coronavirus vaccine in the coming weeks.
- Two D.C. friends got a lucky break while in Giant Food in D.C.: When someone didn't show up for their vaccination appointment, the pharmacist asked a man and his friend if they wanted to get the Moderna shot.
- Virginia reported another record day for new coronavirus infections, and that surge is putting even more pressure on hospitals in the commonwealth already pushed to the brink.
- Among the industries hit hardest by the pandemic has been performance venues like theaters and nightclubs, but help is on the way after President Donald Trump signed the new relief bill.
- New figures from the Virginia Department of Corrections show that two inmates and one staff member who tested positive for the coronavirus have died in recent days.
- The high level of coronavirus cases is putting stress on Northern Virginia hospitals — and the health care professionals who work there.
- The stress of the pandemic is a grind. A data analysis from the American Dental Association shows a surge in cases of teeth grinding, clenching and cracking during the COVID-19 crisis. The increases are striking and potentially costly and painful for sufferers.
- A professor is using the trust Black Americans have in barbers to make them more comfortable with taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
- A rapid antigen test might seem like a great idea when you're in a hurry and don't have time to wait a few days for results, but those tests are really designed for people with COVID-19 symptoms and in asymptomatic patients can deliver false positive results.
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced measures to boost the number of available health care workers and plan for more hospital beds.
- COVID-19 numbers continue to paint a dire picture for Black Americans, and there is an ongoing effort in the Black community to increase testing.
Reopening Tracker
- A judge upheld Montgomery County, Maryland's ban on indoor dining.
- D.C. has suspended indoor dining until 5 a.m. on Jan. 15, Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a press release.
- Virginia instituted a curfew and a stricter mask mandate.
- Maryland tightened restrictions on businesses, bars and restaurants.
- All Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are closed because of rising COVID-19 cases.
- Hours before some Fairfax County students were set to return to in-person learning, the school district said that they needed to delay the plan.
- Courts throughout Maryland remain partially shut down due to the pandemic.
- Prince George's County tightened restrictions and required masks to be worn outdoors.
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.
