What the data shows
COVID-19 case numbers are currently falling as vaccinations go up, but we need to keep an eye on the data to see if Memorial Day weekend had an impact. The holiday may have resulted in fewer people receiving tests, or it may have affected how quickly those tests were processed. Also, gatherings could add to more cases.
The data will finally tell. For comparison, in 2020 the seven-day mean new cases fell after Memorial Day and then began to rise rapidly a few weeks after Independence Day.
DC didn’t release data over Memorial Day weekend and then reported 102 cases on Tuesday. The 7-day average was 28 compared to 27 a week ago.
The district estimated that as of May 23, 51.2% of residents were vaccinated.
Maryland counted just 101 cases, the lowest since March 24, 2020.
Seventy percent of Maryland’s adult residents have received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Virginia reported 158 new cases Tuesday, and the seven-day average of new cases dropped to 201. About 67% of adults received a dose of vaccine.
Local coronavirus headlines
- Certain DC public schools offer COVID-19 vaccinations to residents 12 and older. Walk-up clinics will be available at Anacostia High School, Eastern High School, Luke C. Moore High School, and Ida B. Wells Middle School. No appointments are required. Here you can find information about the opening times.
- Other local libraries reopened on Tuesday. Six locations in Montgomery County welcome readers again. In DC, visitors can spend up to 70 minutes in the library browsing books.
- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is lifting some restrictions. In churches, masks are recommended for anyone who has not been vaccinated. People from different households should continue to keep social distance, but only need to stay three feet apart. Here are the full details.
- In Virginia, all remaining social distancing and capacity restrictions have been lifted. Governor Ralph Northam had previously planned to lift the restrictions in mid-June, but the date has been postponed for two weeks.
- Montgomery County entered its final phase of reopening on Friday morning, ending all COVID-19-related capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements for indoor and outdoor activities and businesses. Businesses and workplaces may have their own policies that require facial coverage, and businesses and county residents must continue to obey any direction or direction from the state.
- Prince George’s County lifted its mask requirement for fully vaccinated people, except on public transportation, schools and daycare, and healthcare. Companies or organizations can choose to adhere to more stringent requirements. Unvaccinated people are urged to continue wearing masks and get vaccinated as soon as possible, district officials said.
- The district has reopened its public swimming pools and paddling parks. Face covering is required for all visitors aged 2 years and over, including in changing rooms and leisure centers. Face covering is also required on pool decks for visitors who are not fully vaccinated. Check out the pools’ locations and schedules, and find more information here.
- Prince George’s County’s vaccination efforts are shifting to mobile resources that reach residents directly. The county has closed vaccine sites at the Cheverly Health Center and the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center. Several other websites are still open; Here you can book a vaccination appointment. However, appointments are no longer required in COVID-19 vaccine clinics operated by the district health department. Here you can find information about walk-in clinics.
- University of Virginia students living, studying, or working on campus this fall will need to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, and regular coronavirus testing will be required for unvaccinated employees starting this summer, administrators said last week, the Associated Press reported .
- Most companies in DC operate without restrictions. Restaurants, wedding venues, places of worship, retail stores, and gyms can all be 100% busy with no social distancing requirements. However, some companies will have to wait a little longer. Large sports venues, bars and nightclubs as well as music and entertainment venues cannot be opened at full capacity until June 11th.
- In Virginia and Maryland, indoor mask requirements are being lifted, and those who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks in DC with a few exceptions. Exceptions are public transport, health facilities and schools. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly advised to continue to wear masks in all facilities. Companies can still ask for masks.
- Maryland’s statewide restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings, as well as capacity limits in restaurants, malls, gyms, and other businesses have been lifted.
- NBC News makes it easy to find information on when, how, and where to get your coronavirus vaccination with the Plan Your Vaccine website.
Important charts and graphs
Vaccination portals by district
Here’s a look at local portals that DC area residents can use to sign up for vaccination appointments or receive notifications.
As more Americans become fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, the number of breakthrough infections is also expected to increase. Here’s what you need to know about this medical phenomenon.