5August 2020
The governors of Maryland and Virginia have partnered with 4 other states to create a screening compact, integrating their buying power in hopes of stockpiling on “cost-efficient” supplies throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The news comes as the most current data recommends that a rise of coronavirus cases is ending up being checked.
The six-state compact will try to compensate for the lack of a nationwide testing program and issues that fierce competition in between states for materials might drive up expenses.
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One of the group's first aims? Purchase 3 million fast coronavirus tests– 500,000 per state– which can provide outcomes within 15 to 20 minutes.
Massachusetts, Louisiana, Michigan and Ohio are the other states in the compact in the meantime. The group is lead by 3 Republicans and 3 Democrats representing more than 47 million residents. More states could take part the future.
Washington, D.C., was not welcomed to join the compact however the District's “considerable purchasing power” might help the cause, Mayor Muriel Bowser says. Bowser says she would like to learn more to see if the group will have a genuine impact.
It's the first interstate testing compact of its kind and will produce a cooperative acquiring agreement that will permit states to purchase supplies “in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Tuesday.
“With serious lacks and delays in testing and the federal administration trying to cut financing for testing, the states are banding together to acquire millions of faster tests to conserve lives and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Hogan stated in a statement.
Northam said states are leading the pandemic reaction and that the compact will help get fast tests to communities.
The Rockefeller Foundation could step in to help money the compact.
Numerous cases of the virus in Maryland are coming from individuals going to dining establishments and household events, the governor said recently. In D.C., travel is a significant element, authorities stated Wednesday.
D.C. is continuing to punish services that break coronavirus-related constraints. Dozens of restaurants and bars have actually been mentioned and officials took preliminary steps on Wednesday to suspend the liquor license of Lyve at U, off U Street NW. They were mentioned for having live entertainment and no social distancing. If the action is authorized on Friday, business would be the first to be closed for violating COVID-19 limitations in D.C.
FAQ: What to Know About DC's Order to Self-Quarantine After Travel to Virus Hot Spots
The mayor stated officials will view “every pail” of taxes and still be able to balance the budget. Additional budget cuts are possible.
What the Data Shows
D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each adding fewer cases a day now, on average, than they were for several weeks in July.
On Wednesday, the typical new cases over the previous week were: Sixty-three in D.C. (down four from recently), 877 in Maryland (down from 940 on Friday), 968 in Virginia (down 78 from last week).
Virginia did report a high death count Wednesday when 30 lives were recorded lost.
Maryland is boasting about significant gains in testing and a low rate of tests returning positive. Overall, about 4.05% of coronavirus tests are showing the individual checked was infected with COVID-19. That number is slightly higher in a possible emerging outbreak location, Worcester County, and amongst people under the age of 35.
In D.C., health officials are still trying to push versus an increasing trend of community spread, however have not reported a new peak in the last 4 reporting days. No new coronavirus deaths were reported on Wednesday.
The map listed below shows the variety of coronavirus cases diagnosed per 1,000 homeowners.
Coronavirus Cases in DC
, Maryland and Virginia COVID-19 cases by population in D.C. and by county in Maryland and Virginia Local Coronavirus Headlines Numerous moms and dads are suing for the right to send their kids to private school in
- person in Montgomery County, Maryland. Read more. A new study from the University of Virginia estimates that really few Virginians have COVID-19 antibodies.
- Read more. Some dealers at MGM National Harbor say between favorable coronavirus cases and quarantines, the casino is losing employees.
- Read more. Anyone who recently attended services at one Catholic church in D.C. is being recommended to self-quarantine after the pastor, who slammed coronavirus-related restrictions, tested favorable for the virus. Read more. American Airlines states a flight out of Virginia was delayed after a guest refused to abide byits policy requiring a face mask. Read more. D.C. health officials are prompting anyone who participated in a Catholic Church on Capitol Hill to quarantine for 2 weeks after the church's priest checked favorable for coronavirus. Read more. Maryland stated all 24 of the state's jurisdictions fulfilled the 10%screening limit. Read more. Maryland enhanced
- its mask guidelines and encouraged against travel to nine states. Read more. Reopening Tracker Private and parochial
schools in Maryland can select
How to Stay Safe
There are ways to lower your threat of capturing coronavirus. Here are guidelines from the CDC:
- Anyone over the age of 2 should use a mask or face covering. Keep it over your nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands often. When you do, scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. As a backup, utilize hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Prevent close contact with anyone who lives outside your house. That indicates staying six feet far from anybody outside your circle, even if you're wearing masks.
- Constantly cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Sophia Barnes, Andrea Swalec and Anisa Holmes added to this report
Source: nbcwashington.com