One of the biggest changes in our understanding of the coronavirus has been about how the virus is transmitted. In the beginning, it was thought to travel by moisture from someone’s nose or mouth that would fall to the ground relatively fast. It’s now clear that tiny particles carrying the virus can remain airborne, possibly for hours, meaning they can accumulate in a room until someone breathes them in. It’s not enough to simply avoid standing too close to an infected, unmasked person indoors. People can be infected by someone who’s standing 20 or more feet away, even if they’re wearing a mask—and even if the infected person has left the room. That’s because the virus can travel farther and linger for a longer period of time, building up throughout the space. Experts say a better way to lower the risk of indoor transmission is to increase air circulation, and bringing in more air from outside can help. 

As people get ready for Thanksgiving and the holidays, we want to remind you to obey to coronavirus health guidelines

Wear your mask and keep social distancing. Or this virus will be around to stay.

If the covid pandemic blows up as we head into winter, the outcome could easily reach over 300,000 additional US deaths.

Number of new COVID-19 cases in DC, Md. and Va recent November 2020

D.C.

Number of positive results: 18,507 (+128)

COVID-19-related deaths: 657 (no change)
Currently hospitalized: 109 (-3)
Recoveries: 14,103 (+67)
Total number of tests: 571,530 (+4,458)

Maryland

Number of confirmed cases: 159,900 (+1,477)

COVID-19-related and probable deaths: 4,261 (+12)
Currently hospitalized: 863 (+58)
Recoveries: 8,323 (+10)
Total number of tests: 3,761,513 (+31,598)

Virginia

Number of total cases*: 198,027 (+1,521)

COVID-19-related and probable deaths: 3,758 (+17)
Currently hospitalized, per VHHA: 1,313 (+48)
Recoveries**: 22,002 (+139)
Total number of tests^: 2,853,797 (+11,990)