This story includes breaking updates from the week of March 16-22. You can follow the latest updates about coronavirus in the D.C. region here.

Sunday, March 22

• Tidal Basin To Effectively Close On Monday To Keep Crowds Away
• D.C. Now Has More Than 100 Patients With COVID-19
• Bus Travel Essentially Free Starting Tuesday, But WMATA Wants You To Stay Away
• D.C. Superior Court Outlines Process For Emergency Release From Custody
• Maryland General Assembly Staffer Tests Positive For COVID-19
• Three New Deaths From COVID-19 In D.C. Region, Including Military-Related Fatality
• D.C. Councilmember Calls To Close Tidal Basin To Discourage Cherry Blossom Visitors
• Maryland Governor Calls On Public To Help Fight ‘Hidden Enemy’
• Coronavirus Cases In The Region Top 500
• D.C. Water Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus
• D.C. Closes Several Streets Around Tidal Basin And National Mall
• First D.C. Coronavirus Death Is Identified As Catholic Friar

Tidal Basin To Effectively Close On Monday To Keep Crowds Away

March 22, 8:51 p.m.: Major streets and bridges around the National Mall will be closed on Monday to keep crowds away from the Tidal Basin and mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Sunday night that there will be a “restricted access zone” put around the Tidal Basin indefinitely. Cars, bikes, and foot traffic will be restricted in a joint effort by the Metropolitan Police Department, National Park Service, and DC National Guard.

Despite an initial round of road closures and urging from government officials to stay home, many people took advantage of the weekend’s sunny weather to see the cherry blossoms during peak bloom. Word of the crowds led D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) to tweet a call to close the Tidal Basin to visitors. Celebrity chef and philanthropist Jose Andres encouraged residents to share photos of flowering trees visible from their neighborhoods with the hashtag #StayHomeCherryBlossomsChallenge.

The following streets will be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.:

• The Memorial Bridge
• Lincoln Memorial Circle
• Potomac River Freeway (all exits to Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue)
• Rock Creek Parkway/Potomac Parkway Drive between Virginia Avenue and Independence Avenue, SW (to include Ohio Drive, SW)
• Independence Avenue between Ohio Drive and 14^th Street, SW
• 23^rd Street between Constitution Avenue and Lincoln Memorial Circle
• Henry Bacon Drive between Constitution Avenue and Lincoln Memorial Circle
• 17^th Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW
• 15^th Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW
• Maine Avenue between Independence and 12^th Street, SW
• All vehicular exits to East Potomac Park and West Potomac Park

–Mikaela Lefrak

D.C. Now Has More Than 100 Patients With COVID-19

March 22, 8:15 p.m.: Eighteen people in the District have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours — bringing D.C.’s total positive cases to 116.

The list of new patients includes three minors: an eight-year-old girl, 10-year-old boy and 13-year-old boy.

Earlier today, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the city’s second death related to COVID-19. The 65-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with underlying health conditions and died Saturday evening.

“The hearts and prayers of our entire city are with her family and loved ones,” Bowser said in a statement. “We are in a critical phase of this health crisis, and we need everyone doing their part to blunt the spread of the virus.”

As of Sunday afternoon, Virginia has reported 219 positive cases and three deaths. Maryland has reported 244 cases and three deaths. –Mikaela Lefrak

Bus Travel Essentially Free Starting Tuesday, But WMATA Wants You To Stay Away

This story was updated at 7:37 p.m.

March 22, 4:45 p.m.: Passengers riding Metrobus will only be allowed to board through the rear doors starting Tuesday, according to an internal WMATA memo obtained by the Washington Post.

So that means you won’t have to tap your SmarTrip card or pay cash. WMATA hopes that will keep its bus drivers socially-distant from passengers.

“Essentially, bus travel will be free during that time,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld wrote to employees.

This comes after a second and third Metro employee tested positive for the coronavirus. A bus operator out of the Bladensburg garage and a storeroom worker at the Carmen Turner facility are now recovering at home, Wiedefeld wrote. Employees that came into contact with them have been notified.

Metro has drastically reduced its bus and rail schedules and urged people to use the system only for essential travel.

This week, trains will run every 20 minutes, except for every 15 minutes on the Red Line. Buses will run a Sunday supplemental schedule. More schedule details are available here.

Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations will remain closed indefinitely to keep non-essential cherry blossom travel off the rail system. For the weekend, Metro cut its bus network down to 20 essential routes due to staffing and encouraging only essential use of the system.

“Space on Metro is a resource that needs to be reserved for essential travel, including the first responders, doctors and nurses working to keep us all safe,” Wiedefeld wrote.

Metro says it will continue to evaluate schedules and routes as the situation evolves. That could include closing stations to save on essential cleaning supplies and even cancelling Metrobus service all together –Jordan Pascale

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new scheduling information.

D.C. Superior Court Outlines Process For Emergency Release From Custody

March 22, 4:54 p.m.: The D.C. Superior Court says it has had an “overwhelming” number of defendants asking for immediate release due to concerns about the coronavirus spreading in jails and prisons.

Sunday, the court outlined a more streamlined process for the request.

“The following standing order (is) in the best interest of the administration of justice,” the order read.

Each request must answer seven questions that judges will consider. Among them:

• Does the defendant have a documented health condition that puts them especially at risk with respect to COVID-19?
• Is the defendant 60 years old or older?
• Is the defendant being detained pretrial or post-conviction?
• Is the defendant charged only with non-assaultive misdemeanors?
• Is the defendant charged only with felonies that are not crimes of violence?
• What is the opposing party’s position on your motion?

Last week, about 60 DC Jail inmates were quarantined after they may have come into contact with a U.S. Marshal that tested positive for COVID-19.

Those inmates all tested negative and have since rejoined the regular jail population. –Jordan Pascale

[Previous coverage: Courts Postpone Trials, D.C. Jail Suspends In-Person Visits, Evictions On Hold As Coronavirus Spreads]

Maryland General Assembly Staffer Tests Positive For COVID-19

March 22, 4:18 p.m.: A staff member in the Maryland House of Representatives has tested positive for COVID-19. The person has not been at work since Monday.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the patient is a staffer on the Environment and Transportation Committee. The committee’s chairman, Del. Kumar Barve (D-Montgomery County), declined to reveal the person’s identity to the Sun.

The coronavirus pandemic has already upended the Maryland General Assembly. Its 2020 session adjourned Wednesday — 19 days earlier than scheduled — marking the first time the assembly has had to cut its session short since the Civil War.

Maryland has 244 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Sunday afternoon. –Mikaela Lefrak

Three New Deaths From COVID-19 In D.C. Region, Including Military-Related Fatality

March 22, 3:28 p.m.: The D.C. government announced its second fatality from coronavirus today.

A 65-year-old woman was admitted to a local hospital with underlying medical conditions and passed away Saturday evening. A Crystal City-based contractor who worked at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency also died on Saturday after testing positive for COVID-19.

“The spaces in DSCA where the individual worked have been cleaned in accordance with CDC guidance when he tested positive and the person’s co-workers have been teleworking,” the Department of Defense said in a statement announcing the person’s death.

On Sunday, John-Sebastian Laird-Hammond, a member of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, was identified as the first known fatality from coronavirus in D.C. One other D.C.-area resident died from COVID-19 on Saturday. In Montgomery County, a woman in her forties with underlying medical conditions was the third and youngest person to die in Maryland from the virus and the first in the county, according to a statement from the Maryland Department of Health. –Mikaela Lefrak

D.C. Councilmember Calls To Close Tidal Basin To Discourage Cherry Blossom Visitors

March 22, 1:00 p.m..: As visitors from the region and beyond continue to form crowds at the Tidal Basin to catch glimpses of cherry blossoms, D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) is calling on the National Park Service to close the site.

“NPS, ‘strongly urging’ hasn’t worked. If we have a responsibility to slowing [sic] the spread, then it requires closing the Tidal Basin to visitors,” Allen said in a tweet Saturday afternoon. “In the District, we have a special affinity & identity with the cherry blossoms, but we also have a responsibility to keep people safe.”

This morning, local chef Jose Andres, whose restaurant group closed its D.C.-area eateries before the D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the closure of city dining rooms, proposed an incentive for staying away from the area. Andres pledged to cook a “huge Paella for thousands of Washingtonians” if there is a significant drop in the number of visitors to the Tidal Basin. Andres has been encouraging area residents to share photos of the cherry blossom trees they can see from their neighborhoods with the hashtag #StayHomeCherryBlossomsChallenge.

The city has closed a number of streets around the Tidal Basin and the National Mall in an effort to decrease the concentration of visitors to the area. –Eliza Berkon and Jenny Gathright

Maryland Governor Calls On Public To Help Fight ‘Hidden Enemy’

March 22, 12:00 p.m.: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan had a severe warning for people in the region who continue to congregate in large groups: “You are endangering not only yourselves but your fellow citizens.”

In an interview withon NBC’s Meet The Press host Chuck Todd and New York Mayor Bill DiBlasio, whose state is on lockdown, Hogan repeatedly mentioned the need for all community members, regardless of age, to heed local and national guidance on social distancing.

“This no longer is just about older people,” Hogan said, before referencing two of Maryland’s youngest coronavirus cases: a 10-month old and 5-year old. Maryland has 244 confirmed cases of the virus and has recorded three deaths.

On Friday, Hogan activated National Guard members to assist in health and safety efforts during the outbreak, with some 2,200 members working throughout the state. The National Guard has also been activated in D.C. and Virginia. None of the three jurisdictions have yet ordered residents to shelter in place.

“People all over the place are working as hard as they possibly can to fight this hidden enemy,” Hogan said. “Every one of our citizens is a part of this, and we can’t stop it without them.” –Eliza Berkon

Coronavirus Cases In The Region Top 500

March 22, 10:40: The number of coronavirus cases in the D.C. area now tops 500, as new numbers in Maryland show an increase of 54 confirmed cases in the past day and Virginia increased its tally.

The tally of confirmed cases in Maryland now stands at 244, with 219 cases in Virginia and 98 cases in D.C., as of the most recent updates.

In Maryland, the highest number is in Montgomery County, with 83 identified cases. Prince George’s County and Baltimore County have the next highest, with 40 and 28 cases, respectively.

D.C. is expected to release an update on confirmed cases later Sunday. —Eliza Berkon

D.C. Water Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus

March 22, 9:55 a.m.: A D.C. Water employee has tested positive for coronavirus, according to an email sent to employees on Saturday. The staff member works at D.C. Water headquarters and has not been on site since March 12, the email states.

“I know the past few days have been challenging as you try to balance your work and family commitments during this public health emergency that has dramatically impacted all of our lives,” writes a D.C. Water administrative staff member.

On advice from the D.C. Health Department, D.C. Water has contacted seven employees who may have been in “close contact” with the staff member for extended periods of time.

The employees, who were teleworking prior to the announcement, have been told to self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days beginning March 12. They were also told to contact a medical professional if they developed symptoms such as a cough, fever or shortness of breath.

“We continue to take precautionary measures to protect our staff and clean our facilities,” the email states. “Enhanced cleaning has been in place and will continue to occur. All employees should take precautions by washing your hands frequently and staying home if you are sick.”

Coronavirus has not been found in drinking water, and standard water-treatment practices “should remove or inactivate” coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Transmission of the virus through sewage may be possible, the CDC says, and water-treatment workers are advised to follow regular protocol–such as wearing personal protective equipment–to block wastewater exposure. –Eliza Berkon

D.C. Closes Several Streets Around Tidal Basin And National Mall

March 22, 8:46 a.m.: A slew of streets around the Tidal Basin and the National Mall will be closed through 8 p.m. Sunday, the D.C. Police Department announced yesterday in a joint effort with the National Park Service.

The closures may be an effort to encourage social-distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus. Scores of visitors have continued to spill into the Tidal Basin to spy cherry blossoms, despite warnings to avoid crowds.

“Individuals and groups will encounter delays in the vicinity of this closure. To help flatten the curve, we strongly discourage any Tidal Basin visits because social distancing has not been possible due to visitor volume,” the release states.

Streets will be closed at the sites below:

• The Memorial Bridge
• Lincoln Memorial Circle Potomac River Freeway (all exits to Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue)
• Rock Creek Parkway/Potomac Parkway Drive between Virginia Avenue and Independence Avenue, SW (to include Ohio Drive, SW)
• Independence Avenue between Ohio Drive and 14th Street, SW
• 23rd Street between Constitution Avenue and Lincoln Memorial Circle
• Henry Bacon Drive between Constitution Avenue and Lincoln Memorial Circle
• 17th Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW
• 15th Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW Maine Avenue between Independence and 12th Street, SW

All vehicular exits to East Potomac Park and West Potomac Park Those who park in areas with emergency no-parking signage will be cited and towed. –Eliza Berkon

First D.C. Coronavirus Death Identified As Catholic Friar

March 22, 8:19 a.m.: John-Sebastian Laird-Hammond, a member of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, has been identified as the first known fatality in D.C. from the coronavirus.

Laird-Hammond, 59, had worked at the D.C.-based monastery for decades and had also been treated for leukemia, The Washington Post reported Saturday. The friar had been preparing to transfer to a New York order and would be assisting with fundraising for Central American missions before falling ill.

“He always recovers. He always finds a way. But he didn’t find a way. That’s what I’m really trying to get my head around,” monastery superior Father Larry Dunham told the Post.

The death was announced Friday; Mayor Muriel Bowser did not name the individual at that time. There are 98 confirmed cases of coronavirus in D.C., 190 cases and two deaths in Maryland and 152 cases and two fatalities in Virginia.  —Eliza Berkon

Saturday, March 21

• 21 New Coronavirus Cases In D.C.
• The D.C. National Guard Has Been Activated To Help The City Deal With Coronavirus
• Too Many People Are Visiting The Cherry Blossoms To Maintain Social Distancing, NPS Says
• A Metrobus Driver Has Tested Positive For COVID-19
• WMATA Is Cutting Bus Service Back To 20 Routes Saturday Evening
• A Montgomery County Police Officer Has Tested Positive For Coronavirus
• Alexandria Shutters Enclosed Outdoor Spaces, Keeps Parks And Trails Open
• Northam Prioritizes Testing For Health Care Workers
• Maryland Reports Second Coronavirus Death

21 New Coronavirus Cases in D.C.

March 21, 8:23 p.m.: D.C. is now reporting 21 new positive cases as of Saturday evening, bringing the District’s total to 98 people. The new positives include two girls, ages 9 and 11.

More than 1,000 people have been tested for the virus in the District, a large increase after the number of tested individuals earlier in the week hovered in the low three-figures.

Maryland now has 190 confirmed cases, up from 149 on Friday. The majority of cases are in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, with the state reporting two deaths.

In Virginia, 152 people have tested positive for the virus, with nearly 2,800 people tested overall — a jump from 114 cases on Friday. Two people in the Commonwealth died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. —Carmel Delshad

D.C. Activated Medical Reserve Corps, Seeks Volunteers

March 21, 7:52 p.m.: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Saturday asked for volunteers to join the District’s Medical Reserve Corps to help the city respond to the growing number of coronavirus cases. More than 600 people currently volunteer for the corps, the majority of whom are in the medical field.

D.C. offers training for volunteers, who will be asked to help on an as-needed basis.

NPR reporter Tim Mak, who volunteers with DC MRC, received a phone call that the corps has been activated.

Just got a call. An unfortunate milestone in Washington, D.C.:

The area’s Medical Reserve Corps is activating. It’s asking health care professionals like me to volunteer to conduct COVID-19s testing.

This creepy automated message puts it out: pic.twitter.com/k3zGauZIvX

— Tim Mak (@timkmak) March 21, 2020

According to the call, D.C. will soon have a drive-through testing site:

“This is a priority request for MRC volunteers to support an upcoming DC drive-though COVID-19 testing site to be scheduled this week. DC Health requests both medical professionals and nonmedical volunteers to perform COVID-19 medical screenings, triage, patient registration and nasal swabbing for individuals at the drive-through site. The testing site will be operated daily for four hours per day, exact dates to be scheduled.”

A training is scheduled for Sunday, March 22.

Other area jurisdictions are also looking for volunteers, including the Montgomery County and Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps, and VolunteerNow! in Fairfax. —Carmel Delshad

Too Many People Are Visiting The Cherry Blossoms To Maintain Social Distancing, NPS Says

March 21, 7:02 p.m.: While the crush of people taking in the cherry blossoms is smaller than normal, officials say there are too many people at the Tidal Basin to maintain effective social distance.

As the whites and the pinks of the cherry blossoms started peaking out early this week, so did the early crowds. The Yoshino cherry trees reached peak bloom on Friday (the third-earliest date on record), bringing increasingly large numbers of people to the area despite repeated warnings from officials to avoid crowds.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain effective social distancing and keep an appropriate space from other visitors,” the National Park Service said in a tweet today. The agency announced that it is implementing additional traffic control measures and closing any remaining parking areas to help prevent crowds.

Metro has already closed the Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations in a bid to keep bloom watchers away. A BloomCam has been set up to watch the blossoms from afar, and there are also cherry trees all over the city, which can easily be located through this app.

“We strongly urge anyone considering a visit to see the cherry blossoms to reconsider and to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases,” NPS implored. “Slowing the spread of novel coronavirus is everyone’s responsibility.” –Rachel Sadon

A Metrobus Driver Has Tested Positive For COVID-19

This story was updated at 6:46 p.m.

March 21, 6:21 p.m.: A Metrobus operator who worked out of the Bladensburg bus division has tested positive for coronavirus, WMATA spokesperson Ron Holzer confirmed by email Saturday. The Washington Post first reported the employee’s diagnosis on Saturday afternoon.

“Our colleague is recovering at home,” Holzer wrote in an email to DCist and WAMU.

Holzer said the Bladensburg bus division underwent cleaning and disinfecting by a contract service overnight and opened normally Saturday morning. According to D.C. Health and the employee, there was “no close contact related to Metro in this case” Holzer added. Contact tracing, or figuring out who an infected person has come into contact with, is performed by the health department, in this case D.C. Health.

The bus operator is the second Metro employee known to have the coronavirus; the first case was a Metro Transit police officer who was diagnosed on Monday. WMATA has reduced service four times this week, mostly to protect riders and workers from the risks of coronavirus transmission, the agency said.

On Saturday afternoon, WMATA abruptly cut bus service back to only 20 routes starting at 5 p.m. and continuing through Sunday. As for this coming Monday, Holzer said the agency aims to run Sunday service with supplemental trips like it did on Friday “if we have available staffing to support it.”

Service changes may be necessary at any time in an emergency situation, and may occur with little notice, Holzer said. Riders should sign up for MetroAlerts emails or text message notifications to stay abreast of the latest service updates, he added. —Julie Strupp

WMATA Is Cutting Bus Service Back To 20 Routes Saturday Evening And Sunday

March 21, 4:50 p.m.: Faced with operational challenges, WMATA announced it’s shutting down bus service on a number of routes as of 5 p.m. Saturday, and is only operating buses on 20 of its highest-ridership routes in the region through Sunday. These cutbacks are even more significant than those the agency announced last night. Buses will only run every 30 minutes.

According to the WMATA advisory, the routes that will keep running after 5 p.m. Saturday or any time on Sunday are:

• • • 54 14th Street
    • S4 – 16th Street
    • 70 – Georgia Avenue-7th Street
    • 90 – U Street-Garfield
    • C4 – Greenbelt-Twinbrook
    • X2 – Benning Road-H Street
    • 16C – Columbia Pike
    • 28A – Leesburg Pike
    • 29K, 29N – Alexandria-Fairfax
    • 30N, 30S – Friendship Heights – Southeast
    • 83 – College Park
    • A6, A8 – Anacostia-Congress Heights
    • B2 – Bladensburg Road-Anacostia
    • D12 – Oxon Hill-Suitland
    • F4 – New Carrollton-Silver Spring
    • H4 – DC Crosstown
    • J2 – Bethesda-Silver Spring
    • K6 – New Hampshire Avenue-Maryland
    • P12 – Eastover-Addison Road
    • REX – Richmond Highway Express
    • V4 – Capitol Heights
    • W4 – Alabama Avenue
    • Y2 – Georgia Avenue-Maryland
    • Z8 – Fairland

Metro’s announcement came just about one hour before the changes went into effect. —Julie Strupp

A Montgomery County Police Officer Has Tested Positive For Coronavirus

March 21, 4:32 p.m.: Montgomery County officials said on Saturday that the first county police officer has been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. County officials don’t believe the officer was infected with the virus as a result of his work.

In a Saturday press release, officials said the officer had limited interactions with the public, but did work across different sections within MCPD.

“While this case is concerning, it is not surprising as coronavirus knows no bounds,” said Dr. Travis Gayles, the county’s public health officer. “Please know we are diligently working to keep all our first responders, County employees and residents as safe as possible.”

There are currently 68 positive cases of coronavirus in Montgomery County, and 190 cases overall in Maryland. —Dominique Maria Bonessi

Alexandria Shutters Enclosed Outdoor Spaces, Keeps Parks And Trails Open

March 21, 4:11 p.m.: Alexandria’s recreational centers, playgrounds, fenced fields, dog parks, and other enclosed outdoor public areas are now closed to encourage social distancing and to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Alexandria and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) announced Saturday.

According to the press release, these areas have continued to attract large groups, despite warnings to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people to slow the spread of the disease.

“It’s not feasible for the City and ACPS staff to clean and disinfect outdoor play surfaces on a constant basis,” the statement said.

Non-fenced fields and trails remain open to the public.

The Alexandria Department of Health is encouraging people to continue social distancing–including avoiding large gatherings and remaining six feet apart from people–while using the parks and trails. —Dominique Maria Bonessi

The D.C. National Guard Has Been Activated To Help The City Deal With Coronavirus

March 21, 2:25 p.m.: Soldiers and Airmen of the District of Columbia National Guard have been activated in support of the city’s response to the public health crisis.

Mayor Muriel Bowser requested the National Guard to provide support for the coronavirus effort on March 16. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy approved the request on Wednesday to immediately provide support to the District.

Because D.C. is not a state and does not have a Governor, the Secretary of the Army has the authority to activate the National Guard.

“The District of Columbia National Guard Capital Guardians are always ready and proud to support our community. During these trying times, it is important that we come together as one to protect the public. Our top priority is to assist the District of Columbia Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and the District Department of Health with their response and prevention effort to the Coronavirus threat,” said Maj. Gen. William J. Walker, Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard in a statement.

Exact mission information is still being defined according to Senior Master Sgt. Craig Clapper.

Governor Ralph Northam and Governor Larry Hogan activated the Virginia and Maryland National Guard last week. — Victoria Chamberlin

Northam Prioritizes Testing For Health Care Workers

March 21, 12:14 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said the state will prioritize the testing of health care workers who have come into contact with the new coronavirus and exhibit symptoms of the disease caused by it.

“They are literally our front line of defense,” Northam said at a Saturday morning news conference. “They need our support and our protection.”

The state will also make it easier for people living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities to get tested, Northam said.

Virginia’s state lab can test about 1,000 people for the coronavirus, which the Commonwealth’s State Epidemiologist Dr. Lilian Peake has acknowledged is not enough. Private labs are also testing patients.

Northam said the state is also working to bolster supplies of protective gear for medical workers, including face masks and gowns — items that have been in short supply as the coronavirus pandemic has caused a global surge in demand.

There are 152 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Virginia and there have been two recorded deaths, according to state officials. –Debbie Truong

Maryland Reports Second Coronavirus Death

March 21, 9:57 a.m.: A second man in Maryland has died after becoming infected with the coronavirus, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Friday night.

The Baltimore County man was in his 60s and had underlying medical conditions, Hogan said.

“As the number of positive cases in Maryland continues to dramatically rise, we need everyone to take this seriously,” Hogan said in a statement. “This is a public health crisis like nothing we have ever faced before.”

The state recorded its first death from the new strain of coronavirus on Thursday — a Prince George’s County man in his 60s. The state has nearly 150 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

In the District, 77 people have tested positive for the virus, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser said Friday night. The city has one recorded death from the coronavirus.

In Virginia, there are 114 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and two recorded deaths.

—Debbie Truong

Friday, March 20

• Nine New Cases Of COVID-19 In D.C.
• ‘No Blossoms’: Metro Cuts Back Service Even Further This Weekend
• Washington Post Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
• American University Reports Additional Cases Of Coronavirus
• Bowser Will Keep Schools Closed, Ban On Mass Gathering, And Other Measures Until April 27
• Children’s National Puts Call Out For Volunteers To Help With Childcare For Staff
• Department Of Health Confirms First Coronavirus Death In D.C.
• Racine Sends First Cease And Desist On Price Gouging
• Virginia Urges Voters To Cast Absentee Ballots In Upcoming Town Elections
  
• Loudoun County Elementary School Worker Tested Positive for COVID-19

Nine New Cases Of COVID-19 In D.C.

March 20, 9:13 p.m.: Nine additional people tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, according to the latest figures from the District, bringing D.C.’s total positive cases to 77.

District officials also said three positive cases reported yesterday are now being attributed to other jurisdictions. The news comes on the same day D.C. reported its first coronavirus-related death.

According to the D.C. Department of Health, the patient was a 59-year-old male, who tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was admitted to a local hospital last week, “presenting with symptoms of fever and cough as well as other underlying medical conditions.”

The individual was counted among those who tested positive for the disease in D.C.

[Click here for full story]

“It is with great sadness that we announce a tragic death, and on behalf of our residents, I share our love and condolences with the patient’s family and friends,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a tweet Friday afternoon. “As a community, we must continue to support one another during these uncertain times. Everyone must do their part so that we can blunt the spread and protect our families, friends, and neighbors.”

The number of people in the District who have been tested for COVID-19 more than doubled from Wednesday to Thursday, thanks largely to the increase in reporting from tests performed by commercial labs. But nearly two weeks after the city registered its first confirmed case, many say that they lack clarity about what it takes to get tested.

The latest case numbers among local jurisdictions:

• D.C: 77 confirmed cases and 1 death
• Virginia 114 confirmed cases and 2 confirmed deaths
• Maryland 149 confirmed cases and 1 confirmed death

—Carmel Delshad, Emily Alfin Johnson and Rachel Kurzius

‘No Blossoms’: Metro Cuts Back Service Even Further This Weekend

March 20, 6:40 p.m.: Metro announced more cutbacks in rail and bus service for this weekend, aimed at discouraging riders from taking its trains and buses to view the cherry blossoms in peak bloom around the Tidal Basin.

On March 21 and March 22, trains will operate every 30 minutes on all lines. The system will still be open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., excluding Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations, which are closed until further notice, Metro said on Thursday.

Buses will run on a Sunday schedule, and Metro is cutting back on running any supplemental routes.

This isn’t the first time Metro cut service: the agency previously reduced service on March 16, 18 and 19 to encourage riders to only take essential trips using the system.

Ridership on Metro was down 85% on Thursday compared to a similar day last year. Metro said in a Tweet that its “priority is the safety of this community, and right now, that means driving ridership down (way down) to help flatten the curve of #covid19” and keeping space for essential workers.

“Space on Metro is a resource that needs to be reserved for essential travel, including the first responders, doctors and nurses working to keep us all safe,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said in a statement announcing the service changes.

“They are responding to the call out of concern for you, please stay home out of concern for them,” he continued.

Wiedefeld also praised Metro workers for continuing to come in to work.

“Metrobus operators and all of our frontline colleagues have the same pressures as everyone else right now. They have families, kids out of school, loved ones with health concerns, and others may know someone already impacted by the Coronavirus. Despite these pressures, and despite understandable concerns, our workforce is showing up out of a sense of duty to the community and a responsibility to the nation,” he said.

Still, some workers are concerned about their own health as they interact with thousands of people amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Metro is also reporting some staffing issues as its workers feel the implications of the pandemic in other aspects of their lives. The agency’s operations staff says it’s having “availability challenges due to operators opting to decline overtime opportunities to focus on family obligations, absences associated with high-risk groups,” as well as Metro’s own scheduling strategy intended to keep workers in reserve as the pandemic unfolds. —Margaret Barthel

Washington Post Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19

March 20, 6:26 p.m.: A Washington Post employee has tested positive for the coronavirus, the newspaper’s employees and contractors learned in a staff-wide email on Friday from Wayne Connell, the vice president of human resources.

The unidentified employee is based out of the Post’s New York office, according to the email, and is “currently recovering at home.” The employee in question last worked at the New York office on March 10. “There is no way to confirm exactly when or how this person contracted the virus,” Connell writes.

The entire Washington Post staff received a directive urging them to work from home if possible starting on March 11. That directive remains in place until at least the end of March.

It’s unclear if the employee has visited the D.C. office recently. The email asks employees to tell the Post if they begin exhibiting symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. —Rachel Kurzius

American University Reports Additional Cases Of Coronavirus

March 20, 4:42 p.m.: Four more people affiliated with American University, including three students, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Two of the students recently returned from Spain and were tested through the university’s student health center, according to an email from Dr. David Reitman, the center’s medical director. The students had a “very limited presence” on campus, Reitman said.

According to Reitman, the third student does not live in the District and tested positive for the virus after traveling in the United States during spring break and has not returned to campus.

All three students are self-isolating in their homes, which are off-campus, according to the university.

The fourth person who tested positive for the virus is an American University alumnus who attended an off-campus event sponsored by the university in early March. That person is also in self-isolation, Reitman said.

Earlier in the week, Reitman said a student living on American University’s campus was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That student was placed in self-isolation on-campus in a with a private bathroom.

All of the university’s spring classes have moved online and students were told not to return to campus after spring break. –Debbie Truong

Bowser Will Keep Schools Closed, Ban On Mass Gathering, And Other Measures Until April 27

March 20, 3:55 p.m.: The extraordinary measures that the city has implemented to stop the spread of coronavirus will remain in place until April 27, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced today. Schools will continue distance learning and the ban on mass gatherings will remain in place until that time.

“Let me clear: we expect to see a spike in COVID-19 positive cases in the coming days and weeks,” Bowser said. “I cannot stress enough that the threat of this virus poses very serious consequences for our community. Everyone is susceptible … it does not discriminate based on age, race, or gender.”

Bowser did not directly address a question if the city was considering an order to shelter in place, saying that her administration had “essentially shut down our thriving economy in D.C.” in order to stop the spread.

The announcements from D.C. come as elected officials in the region continue to move forward with aggressive measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. In a press conference on Friday in Maryland, Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich urged people to continue with social distancing strategies, cautioning that the county was “one step away” from a shelter-in-place rule. —Rachel Sadon, A.C. Valdez, and Jenny Gathright

Children’s National Puts Call Out For Volunteers To Help With Childcare For Staff

March 20, 2:15 p.m.: Children’s National Hospital is looking for volunteers who can provide childcare for its doctors and nurses.

The hospital on Michigan Ave. NW announced that a physician and a patient tested positive for coronavirus early this week.

“With recent school closures, we are looking for volunteers who are willing to help [providers] with childcare while they continue to care for Children’s National patients,” the hospital wrote in a Facebook post. Public schools in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have been closed since last week.

Those interested in volunteering can apply online. —Amanda Williams

Department Of Health Confirms First Coronavirus Death In D.C.

March 20, 1:30 p.m.: Officials reported the first confirmed death due to the coronavirus in D.C. Friday.

According to the D.C. Department of Health, the patient was a 59-year-old male, who tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was admitted to a local hospital last week, “presenting with symptoms of fever and cough as well as other underlying medical conditions.”

The individual had been counted among those tested positive for the disease in D.C.

[For a full story see here]

“It is with great sadness that we announce a tragic death, and on behalf of our residents, I share our love and condolences with the patient’s family and friends,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a tweet this afternoon. “As a community, we must continue to support one another during these uncertain times. Everyone must do their part so that we can blunt the spread and protect our families, friends, and neighbors.”

The latest case numbers among local jurisdictions:

• D.C: 71 confirmed cases and 1 death
• Virginia: 114 confirmed cases and 2 confirmed deaths
• Maryland: 149 confirmed cases and 1 confirmed death

–Emily Alfin Johnson

Racine Sends First Cease And Desist On Price Gouging

March 20, 12:21 p.m.: The attorneys general for D.C. and Maryland are taking action to find and fight price gouging on essential items.

In a tele-townhall with Advisory Neighborhood Commissions on Friday, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said his office sent its first price gouging-related cease and desist letter of the coronavirus public health crisis on Thursday. Racine said the letter went to “a convenience store that was absolutely engaged in gouging consumers.” Benjamin Wiseman, the Director of the Office of Consumer Protection at the AG’s office, said it was for marking up the cost of cleaning wipes.

Racine said his office also proactively reached out to other stores whose pricing they were concerned about, and those stores “immediately changed their ways.” The office is also monitoring national brands to make sure their stores are not selling items at prices above legal limits.

Racine’s office is encouraging D.C. residents to report any price gouging or consumer fraud they see. The office is also looking to hear resident complaints about evictions and rent assistance, paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, discrimination or scams.

“We actually encourage, enjoy and love receiving complaints,” Racine said.

In Maryland, Attorney General Brian Frosh is also urging residents to report price gouging, adding that he can sue, impose fines, or issue cease and desist orders to any retailers engaging in the practice.

Frosh said the power comes from an emergency law Gov. Larry Hogan signed to block retailers from unfairly marking up prices on essential items such as food, medicine and cleaning products.

In a live broadcast on Facebook, Frosh said he has received reports of price gouging on items such as water. The state has also received reports of scams from people purporting to sell a cure for the novel coronavirus or testing kits. —Debbie Truong and Jenny Gathright

Virginia Urges Voters To Cast Absentee Ballots In Upcoming Town Elections

March 20, 8:36 a.m.: As in-person absentee voting kicks off Friday for the May 5 town elections across Virginia, officials are urging as many residents as possible to request an absentee ballot to avoid crowding into polling places on Election Day.

The May elections are for local offices in small towns across the state, including the City of Fairfax, Vienna, Occoquan, Quantico, Haymarket, Middleburg, Purcellville, and others. State officials say all Virginia voters can now request an absentee ballot, which currently requires an excuse, by choosing options 2A for “disability or illness.”

Officials across the country have been grappling with how to manage upcoming primaries during the coronavirus pandemic, especially with the recommendations for social distancing to prevent its further spread. This week, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan pushed back the state’s primary from April 28 to June 2, and has ordered that only mail-in ballots be used for a special election to fill a congressional seat in the Baltimore area.

Election experts say that states with no-excuse absentee voting — like Maryland and D.C. — are best placed to manage their upcoming primaries. During its recent legislative session in Richmond, Virginia lawmakers passed a bill moving the state to no-excuse absentee voting, but it won’t take effect until later this year. —Martin Austermuhle

Loudoun County Elementary School Worker Tested Positive for COVID-19

March 20, 7:50 a.m.: A school worker at a Loudoun County elementary school tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus, according to Loudoun County Public Schools.

Superintendent Eric Williams said the staff member at Waxpool Elementary School is recovering at home. The Loudoun County Health Department is calling people who have been in contact with the staff member and the campus will be thoroughly cleaned, Williams said in a message Thursday to the community.

The Northern Virginia school system will stop distributing free breakfast and lunch from the Ashburn school. Students who qualify for subsidized meals will have food delivered to them, Williams said.

Public schools in Loudoun are closed until at least April 10.

Five people in Loudoun have tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to the Virginia Department of Health data. There are 94 cases across the state. —Debbie Truong

March 19

• A Dozen Maryland Universities Will Finish Undergraduate Classes Online For Spring Semester
• 32 New Cases In D.C., Including One Child
• Inmate At The D.C. Jail Awaits Test Results, 66 More In Quarantine
• Marriott Furloughs Thousands Of Workers At Bethesda Headquarters
• D.C. Artists Won’t Get Dedicated Emergency Funding
• Northam Administration Asks Prosecutors, Judges, Police To Limit Arrests And Incarceration
• Smithsonian And Arlington Cemetery Metro Stations Will Close To Prevent Cherry Blossom Crowds
• Falls Church Reports Its First Positive COVID-19 Case In Senior Living Center
• Maryland Reports First Death
• D.C. Police Told To Arrest Fewer People For Non-Violent Crimes
• Playgrounds Fenced Off In Takoma Park

A Dozen Maryland Universities Will Finish Undergraduate Classes Online For Spring Semester

March 19, 10:30 p.m.: All undergraduate courses in The University System of Maryland will move online for the remainder of the semester, the system’s chancellor Jay A. Perman announced in a statement Thursday night. The change affects more than 130,000 undergraduate students in the state’s public higher education system.

The system is comprised of 12 universities, including Towson University, Bowie State University, the University of Maryland in College Park, Eastern Shore and Baltimore County. Perman said university presidents were in support of the decision, and “they’ve been planning for long-term remote instruction for weeks now, knowing that this was a possibility.”

The universities are also looking for ways to provide laptops and free internet for students without computers or internet access, the statement said.

Perman said the universities would refund students’ room and board on a prorated basis, and student financial aid packages would not be affected by such refunds.

The universities will also not hold graduation ceremonies in-person.

“I’ve encouraged universities to be creative in how they celebrate their graduates,” Perman wrote. “Many are talking about celebrating in a virtual environment. I’d also certainly support in-person gatherings once this period of COVID-19 threat has lifted.”

Graduate students in professional programs, Perman wrote, “have a different set of considerations.” The system will work through those considerations with guidance from the bodies and boards that accredit and certify students in professional programs. — Jenny Gathright

32 New Cases In D.C., Including One Child

March 19, 8:22 p.m.: D.C. has announced an additional 32 positive cases of coronavirus, including one 8-year-old boy, bringing the District’s total to 71. Twelve of the cases involve people in their 20s and 30s, and 10 are above the age of 40. Demographic information on the nine other cases is still forthcoming.

Virginia currently has 94 positive cases, with many in Arlington and Fairfax counties. Nineteen people in Virginia are hospitalized, and two people have died.

In Maryland, there are currently 107 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and one death. The majority of cases are in the 18-64 age range. More than half of the cases are in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. — Carmel Delshad and Lauren Markoe

Inmate At The D.C. Jail Awaits Test Results, 66 More In Quarantine

March 19, 8:04 p.m.: D.C.’s Deputy Mayor for Safety and Public Justice Kevin Donahue confirmed Thursday at a press conference that approximately 65 incarcerated people at the D.C. Jail are currently quarantined after coming into contact with a U.S. Marshall who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Donahue said one other person incarcerated at the jail has been tested for the coronavirus, with results pending. He added that the individual and their cell mate have been separated and placed in their own areas out of caution.

In response to a reporter’s question about how the quarantine works in the jail, Donahue said “they have their own space and their own cell.”

Donahue also said the D.C. Department of Corrections has started cleaning cell blocks more, and the cells where the now-quarantined individuals were previously confined have been deep cleaned.

Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham told reporters Thursday that he hopes new efforts to reduce arrests will lead to fewer people at the D.C. courts, which are “strained” because of the U.S. Marshall’s positive coronavirus test.

The department is now issuing citations for certain non-violent offenses instead of detaining people for them. The D.C. Jail has also suspended in-person visits, and the Department of Corrections has been given additional authority to release certain people early. — Jenny Gathright

Marriott Furloughs Thousands Of Workers At Bethesda Headquarters

March 19, 6:40 p.m.: Marriott International, one of the largest private employers in the Washington region, is furloughing most of its 3,500 workers at its Bethesda headquarters, a company spokesperson confirmed to WAMU on Thursday.

Employee health benefits will continue during furloughs, which will last at least 60 to 90 days, he added.

Marriott is just one of many Washington-area businesses – from mom and pop stores to large corporations – that have announced furloughs or layoffs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Covid-19 is nothing like we’ve ever seen before, “ said Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson in a video message Thursday to employees. “For a company that’s 92 years old, that’s borne witness to the Great Depression, World War II and many other economic and global crises, that’s saying something.”

He added that in most markets, business was 75% below normal for the company, which employs 130,000 people in the U.S.

Marriott, the largest hotel company in the world, will also begin cutting executive salaries and furloughing tens of thousands of hotel workers around the world, though the company did not disclose how many employees working in its D.C. area hotels would be affected.

In addition to the furloughs and executive pay cuts, the company also announced shorter work weeks and the cancellation of non-essential travel and spending. It estimates that these measures will together cut administrative costs by $140 million in 2020. Sorenson also said he will not take a salary for the rest of the year.

The hospitality and fitness industries are suffering in particular during the pandemic, with limits on the numbers of people who can gather in public facilities and the closure of dine-in restaurants and bars. Several D.C. area companies have laid off staff as the outbreak continues to affect the local economy. —Lauren Markoe

D.C. Artists Won’t Get Dedicated Emergency Funding

March 19, 5:52 p.m. (updated 6:47 p.m.): Up until late Thursday afternoon, commissioners with the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities thought they were going to be able to use excess funds in their budget for an emergency relief package for artists. Many arts organizations and self-employed creatives have seen their profits and salaries flatline after galleries and performance venues shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

But during a call on Thursday, commission chair Kay Kendall announced that those funds were no longer be considered for that purpose. The commission’s budget comes from a percentage of the city’s sales tax revenue, and Kendall said she’d been advised by the city’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer that the projected revenue is in flux and the commission should therefore hold off on making new grants.

Instead, artists and arts organizations will need to apply for grant funding from the emergency relief fund that the D.C. Council approved on Tuesday. Kendall said the Mayor is expected to sign the legislation to officially establish the fund on Friday.

“It’s totally crushing,” said Amy Hughes Braden, a visual artist who had submitted a public comment to the commission in support of emergency funding.

Some commissioners voiced frustration that they no longer had the ability to create a relief fund for artists. “It’s shocking that, as an independent agency, we’re still being told what we can and can’t do with our budget,” said Josef Palermo, a commissioner from Ward 1. (Last year the D.C. Council made the arts commission into an independent agency, which means it’s no longer headed by a mayoral appointee).

“The thoughts of all of us are with you,” Kendall said to the artists on the line. “It’s just really hard for us to have been so close to a plan for emergency relief just to have it snatched away from us.”

Current grantees will still get the rest of the money from their grants, and grant officers are working to expedite those payments. —Mikaela Lefrak

Northam Administration Asks Prosecutors, Judges, Police To Limit Arrests And Incarceration

March 19, 4:10 p.m.: In an effort to reduce the risk of a coronavirus outbreak in jails and prisons, Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran encouraged prosecutors, sheriffs, and police in the state to “consider alternatives to incarceration” in a press conference on Thursday.

Moran asked prosecutors and judges in the state to consider modifying sentences for low level offenders. He also asked them to consider ways of keeping people out of jail, like electronic monitoring and personal recognizance bonds, which release people from jail without requiring them to post any money for bond.

Moran also encouraged police to give people they want to arrest a summons — an order to appear in court — instead.

“This is an encouragement,” Moran said. “Obviously, public safety weighs in all of these decisions.”

Northam’s administration also addressed the economic impacts of the ongoing public health crisis on Thursday. Virginia Secretary of Finance Aubrey Lane announced two tax relief measures. First, the state will consider extending the deadline for sales tax returns for those who apply (the returns are due Friday, March 20). Second, Virginia is extending the due date for payment of individual and corporate income taxes. The due date for tax returns is still the same (May 1) but the date for payment has been extended to June 1. —Jenny Gathright

Smithsonian And Arlington Cemetery Metro Stations Will Close To Prevent Cherry Blossom Crowds

March 19, 3:24 p.m.: Metro announced that it will close its Arlington Cemetery and Smithsonian rail stations at 5 p.m. to prevent large groups of cherry blossom watchers.

“Limited Metro capacity must be available for essential travel (Pentagon/federal workforce, CDC, doctors, etc),” Metro Transit Police said in a tweet.

With the trees in their final stage before peak bloom, crowds have already started forming at the Tidal Basin, though they are certainly lighter than in years past.

This isn’t the first time Metro has publicly raised concerns over trips to see the cherry blossoms. On Tuesday, the transit agency released an old-timey video PSA urging riders to stay away from the Yoshino cherry trees this year as the region braces for the worsening coronavirus threat.

Metro has steadily scaled back service through the week as the region’s response to the pandemic continues to develop. On Monday, rail and bus moved to a Saturday supplemental schedule, with trains running every 12 minutes. On Wednesday, Metro cut service even further, back to a Sunday schedule, with 15 minutes between trains.

Ridership on rail and buses has decreased dramatically. On Wednesday, rail trips were down 84 percent — to just 110,000 — compared to a comparable day last year. Bus trips were down 63 percent. And the agency says more service cuts could be coming. — Margaret Barthel

Falls Church Reports Its First Positive COVID-19 Case In Senior Living Center

March 19, 12:45 p.m.: A male resident of the Kensington, an assisted living and memory care facility in Falls Church, Va., tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

The male patient has been in isolation since he began presenting symptoms of respiratory illness five days ago. “Residents have been monitored daily for fever and respiratory symptoms since news of the spread of COVID-19 became public,” Amy Feather, the Kensington’s executive director, said in a statement. “In addition, team members have been monitored for symptoms of flu and COVID-19 at the start of their shifts.”

Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Kensington has also been limiting contact from outside visitors, cancelled all events and outings, and restricted deliveries.

Fairfax County’s health department plans to update its total case number later today. Virginia has 77 total cases of coronavirus as of Wednesday morning. — Mikaela Lefrak

Maryland Reports First Death

March 19, 11:20 a.m.: A 60-year-old man from Prince George’s County with an underlying health condition is the first fatal case of the coronavirus in the region.

Governor Larry Hogan said Thursday at a press conference that the man was exposed to the virus via community transmission. Hogan also said that a 5-year-old girl from Howard County is the first child in the state to test positive for the virus.

Hogan says the National Governors Association, which he chairs, is making five requests of the federal government to control the spread of coronavirus and to offer relief for those affected by virus-related shutdowns:

• • 1. Dedicate 50% of funding from phase three of the federal government’s coronavirus budget to the states;
    2. Increase access to protective gear, test kits, and ventilators;
    3. Lift restrictions on National Guard Title 32 to allow governors more flexibility to order the National Guard to operate;
    4. Issue guidance from Congress on the Defense Production Act. The act has not been implemented since the Korean War. It allows for the President to order industries to produce scare goods that are in high demand like protective gear and ventilators. The governors would like to see a plan for how these goods would be distributed to the states;
    5. Delay or allow greater flexibility for states to complete the 2020 Census and Real ID Compliance.

“We need all levels of government working together to get through this crisis,” Hogan told reporters.

Hogan also announced that he is restricting access to Baltimore-Washington International Airport to passengers and employees only.

“Exceptions will be made for those visitors assisting disabled passengers,” Hogan said. “No one else will be granted access.”

Maryland Transportation Authority Police will be enforcing the policy immediately. Hogan also said that all mass transit in the state will be used for essential travel only.

“No one should get on a MARC Train, Metro, Amtrak Train, or bus, or any of our transportation assets,” Hogan said. “Unless you are an emergency personnel, a frontline healthcare provider, or your job is essential to the supply chain.”

Hogan also announced an executive order that would close all shopping malls and entertainment venues in the state.

“Despite all of our repeated warnings for weeks and despite the rapid escalation of this virus across our state, the region, the nation, and the world, some people are treating this like a vacation or Spring Break with parties and cookouts and large gatherings in some of our parks,” Hogan said. “Let me be very clear, if you are engaged in this type of activity, you are in violation of state law, and you are endangering the lives of your fellow Marylanders.”

Hogan also signed an executive order allowing trucks to exceed weight limits in order to transport necessary goods. In accordance with liquor laws, the governor is also allowing restaurants, bars, and liquor stores to deliver or allow for carry out of liquor.

On another note, Hogan also urged people to donate blood and continue to help their fellow Marylanders. His administration set up a website to compile a list of resources of things that residents can do for others during the pandemic like donating blood, helping distribute meals for school children, and donating money to the state’s response effort. — Dominique Maria Bonessi

D.C. Police Told To Arrest Fewer People For Non-Violent Crimes

March 19, 8:25 a.m.: Police officers in D.C. have been instructed to issue citations instead of detaining people charged with non-violent offenses, a step that is being taken to decrease the number of people entering the city’s courts and jail during the coronavirus pandemic.

In an order issued on Tuesday, Police Chief Peter Newsham expanded eligibility for immediate release for people charged with non-violent misdemeanors, which can range from certain drug offenses to driving without a license. Those people will now be given a citation for a future court date, instead of being arrested.

And on Wednesday, Superior Court Chief Judge Robert Morin similarly gave police and prosecutors more flexibility in deciding whether to release juveniles arrested for failing to appear at court hearings or absconding.

The moves come as D.C.’s criminal justice system adapts to the ongoing pandemic, especially in crowded courts and jails where defense attorneys and others have said the coronavirus could easily spread. On Wednesday, a deputy marshal in Superior Court tested positive for COVID-19, promoting Morin to further restrict operations in the courthouse.

The D.C. Jail has suspended in-person visits, and on Tuesday the D.C. Council gave the Department of Corrections additional authority to release certain inmates early. Other jurisdictions across the country — ranging from Baltimore to Philadelphia — have taken similar steps to lower the number of people in courts and jails. — Martin Austermuhle

Playgrounds Fenced Off In Takoma Park

March 19, 7:35 a.m.: Takoma Park, Md. is fencing off city-owned playgrounds in an effort to keep children from contracting and spreading the coronavirus. County-owned playgrounds within Takoma Park are still open, but residents are advised to wipe down play equipment before using it.

In announcing the move, city officials cited new research released this week suggesting the virus can survive on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to two or three days.

“This action is being taken following a number of conversations with health officials and after reviewing the latest research on the transmission of the virus,” officials wrote, noting that children may be more likely to pick up the virus from surfaces than adults. “While cleaning, frequent washing of hands, and not touching faces may help keep most people safe, children play on play equipment with their whole bodies, including their faces.”

Residents are still welcome to use the parks for other activities, as long as they practice social distancing. Elsewhere in the region parks remain open, though indoor facilities have been closed and events have been canceled. — Jacob Fenston

March 18

• First Death From COVID-19 In Maryland Confirmed
• D.C. Announces Nine New Cases Of COVID-19
• Local Jurisdictions Announce Changes To Street Parking
• Metro Asks For Government Help Amid $52 Million Revenue Loss
• Pentagon City, Potomac Mills, Other Local Malls Shuttered
• Maryland Hospital to Construct New Floor, Add Beds For Patients
• Coronavirus Will Wallop D.C. Region’s Economy, Report Says
• Local Universities Cancel, Postpone Their Commencement Ceremonies
• DC Circulator Fares Suspended
• Maryland Lawmakers Pass Emergency COVID-19 Legislation
• D.C. Superior Court Closes Marriage Bureau
• 10 New Cases Reported In Virginia
• A Deputy Marshal At D.C. Superior Court Has Tested Positive For COVID-19
• Grocery Stores Create Special Shopping Times For Older Adults

First Death From COVID-19 In Maryland Confirmed

March 18, 8:53 p.m.: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced on Wednesday the first COVID-19 death in the state. The 60-year-old Prince George’s County resident suffered from an underlying medical condition.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the first death in Maryland as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. I ask all Marylanders to join me in praying for his family and loved ones during this difficult time. As we pray for his loved ones, I ask that we continue to pray for each other, for our state, and for our nation as we face this crisis together. We must use every possible resource at every level of government to save lives and keep people safe,” Hogan said in a statement.

So far, 139 people in the United States have died as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. There are 86 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, with 22 cases added today.

Hogan will hold a press conference tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in Annapolis to provide further updates and announce additional actions. — Victoria Chamberlin

D.C. Announces Nine New Cases Of COVID-19

March 18, 7:00 p.m.: D.C. announced eight new positive cases of COVID-19 bringing the District’s positive case count to 39. Nine new cases were announced yesterday. 203 people have been tested so far.

Guidance will be published for healthcare providers, employers and the public to provide information on what to do if you have been diagnosed with or are a contact of someone who has COVID-19.

With ongoing community transmission, the District’s contact tracing is focused on positive cases associated with childcare facilities, schools and universities, healthcare facilities, senior care facilities, correctional and detention centers, and facilities serving individuals who are experiencing homelessness. — Victoria Chamberlin

Local Jurisdictions Announce Changes To Street Parking

March 18, 8:22 p.m.: Starting Thursday, all rush hour parking restrictions in D.C. will be suspended — and on Connecticut Avenue and 16th Street, rush hour reversible lanes will cease operation. Residential street sweeping is also suspended. This comes amid a host of regional efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

Montgomery County announced yesterday it has established “no parking” zones in areas with high concentrations of restaurants to prevent long-term parking and allow for greater curbside access for businesses providing takeout while dine-in service is suspended. Arlington similarly designated free short-term curbside parking spaces outside businesses offering food for pick-up.

Meanwhile, in Alexandria, the city suspended parking restrictions for residential street sweeping as well as 72-hour limits for street parking. — Julie Depenbrock

Metro Asks For Government Help Amid $52 Million Revenue Loss

March 18, 6:26 p.m.: Citing a loss of 85% of its ridership — adding up to more than $50 million in lost revenue this month — Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld made a request for emergency funding from the federal government, according to a tweet from Washington Post reporter Justin George.

“Today, we began a much reduced, lifeline service to ensure we can protect our frontline employees, while retaining regional mobility for essential trips taken by hospital staff, local and United States government officials, and emergency responders,” Wiedefeld wrote.

The plea for federal assistance comes in the midst of government actions to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including canceling events, closing schools and offices and limiting social gatherings. “While all of these steps are critical, they come with high costs,” Wiedefeld wrote.

Metro had already reduced service on two occasions (and hinted a third reduction may be coming soon). — Julie Depenbrock

Pentagon City, Potomac Mills, Other Local Malls Shuttered

March 18, 5:38 p.m.: The largest owner of U.S. shopping malls is closing its malls and retail properties to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Simon Property Group, which manages many malls in the Washington region, said shoppers can expect the closures to begin at 7 p.m. local time Wednesday. The properties will remain shuttered until March 29, the company said in a news release.

The company’s local outfits include Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Potomac Mills in Woodbridge and Leesburg Premium Outlets. It also owns the premium outlets in Hagerstown, Clarksburg, and Queenstown.

The company said the decision came after “extensive discussions with federal, state and local officials and in recognition of the need to address the spread of COVID-19.” — Victoria Chamberlin

Maryland Hospital to Construct New Floor, Add Beds For Patients

March 18, 5:00 p.m.: A $12.5 million project to expand Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center has received state approval. The expansion follows a promise from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to add up to 6,000 hospital beds statewide, in preparation for a likely surge in coronavirus cases.

The project would add a 32-bed unit specializing in “acute care patient treatment.” Other hospitals in the Washington region have announced plans to pitch temperature controlled tents and treat patients as they emerge.

Construction on the Mercy Medical Center floor will begin immediately and should take just over two months. — Julie Depenbrock

Coronavirus Will Wallop D.C. Region’s Economy, Report Says

March 18, 3:30 p.m.: The coronavirus pandemic “has ended the longest business expansion on record,” says a new report from The Stephen S. Fuller Institute. And unlike the 2007-2008 financial crisis — which Washington didn’t feel as much other parts of the country — the D.C. area is fully exposed to the fallout this time.

If the coronavirus disrupts normal operations through May, the report says, we can expect the region’s economy to stall over the whole year, rising just 0.1%. Service industries — think hospitality, dining and entertainment — will bear the brunt of the damage because they rely on discretionary spending that’s drying up. Industries that depend on international manufacturing will also take a hit, the report says.

Usually, Washington is insulated from recessions because our economy is closely tied to the federal government. But according to Fuller Institute Director Jeannette Chapman, circumstances are different with the coronavirus.

“In this downturn, households and business will reduce expenditures at local businesses even if their incomes are unchanged as households, business, and governments implement strategies to flatten the curve of the pandemic,” Chapman writes. “Similarly, the loss of productivity in the region will be because of workers that stay home, including losses from those that have shifted to working remotely.”

The worst damage will come in the second quarter of 2020, the report projects, with a slight bump around the election. Consumer spending is expected to uptick in the third quarter as pent-up demand for services gets cash flowing, but “it will not fully compensate for the lost revenue,” the report says, because “consumers cannot double up on some activities in a given period. Residents will not get two haircuts in the fall even if they did not get their regular haircut in the spring.”

Losses will be even deeper if social distancing remains the norm after June, Chapman writes.

The report also expects tourism to be reduced by “unprecedented levels,” even if the coronavirus pandemic didn’t reach the U.S. The report says the most comparable event is the 9/11 terror attacks, “although the total magnitude of the decrease resulting from the pandemic will likely be larger.”

But, there is a silver lining. The D.C. area’s status as a federal hub will help it recover from the crisis faster than other parts of the country, the report notes.

“The source of funding and the workforce of the federal government and federal contractors will be less affected by the disruption, making it easier for both the businesses and the associated households to resume normal operations,” Chapman writes.  — Ally Schweitzer

Local Universities Cancel, Postpone Their Commencement Ceremonies

March 18, 3:00 p.m.: More local universities have made the decision to reschedule their graduation ceremonies or cancel the in-person celebrations altogether, amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

Howard announced on Monday that it would cancel its commencement.

Now, Georgetown University announced it will postpone its graduation to an unknown later date, after students pressured the administration not to cancel the ceremony outright.

“After careful consideration, we have made the determination that it will be necessary to postpone Commencement activities to a time in which we can safely convene as a community,” Georgetown President John J. DeGioia said in a statement this morning.

George Washington University announced that it will not hold commencement in person and will look for a digital alternative. We are working diligently to determine how we can, appropriately and safely, celebrate our graduates within the constraints of the current circumstances,” the university said.

GW also announced today that a student living off-campus has tested positive for COVID-19. Officials say the student is doing well and currently in self-isolation.  — Victoria Chamberlin

DC Circulator Fares Suspended

March 18, 1:50 p.m.: Fares for the DC Circulator have been suspended, according to the District Department of Transportation. Riders can now board the bus from all doors, allowing for social distancing as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The DC Circulator National Mall route has also been suspended. As of March 18, all other Circulator routes are operating under their regular schedules.

Metrobus service is running on a Sunday schedule, while trains are running every 15 minutes. Metro says these reductions are meant to limit public transit to essential trips only. — Carmel Delshad

Maryland Lawmakers Pass Emergency COVID-19 Legislation

March 18, 1:44 p.m.: Maryland’s General Assembly passed emergency legislation Wednesday to address the coronavirus pandemic.

The bill allows Governor Larry Hogan to take up to $100 million from the rainy day fund to use toward medical supplies and other resources. Thelegislation also limits retailers’ price increases to prevent gouging. Employers are also not allowed to lay workers who are required to quarantine. It also provides workers who do get laid off with increased access to unemployment benefits.

StateComptroller Peter Franchot said Tuesday that not enough was being done at the state and federal level to make sure that small businesses could remain afloat amid the spread of the virus.

“They need cash in their pockets from the government,” Franchot said. “But it takes all sorts of time and red tape to get it into the pockets of small businesses.”— Dominique Maria Bonessi

D.C. Superior Court Closes Marriage Bureau

March 18, 1:33 p.m.: The D.C. Superior Court announced Wednesday morning that it would close the marriage bureau, effective immediately. The closure comes after a U.S. Marshal working at the court tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

In addition to closing the marriage bureau, the court has notified staff who may have been in contact with the marshal, and cleaned and disinfected the courtrooms and holding cells. It’s not clear how many members of the public the marshal came into contact with at the court.

The court is still operating its adult arraignment courtroom and its juvenile new intake courtroom, per a statement from spokesperson Leah Gurowitz. “Additionally, the DC Superior Court has just a few other courtrooms operations, handling emergency matters and processing persons who have been arrested,” the statement says.

You can see a full timeline of court closures and operational changes due to the coronavirus here.

The last time the marriage bureau closed for an extended period in D.C. was during last year’s federal government shutdown, prompting an outcry from local couples trying to tie the knot. — Natalie Delgadillo

March 18 12:17, p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam urged people with nonessential jobs to keep their children at home to ensure child care is available for medical and other front-line workers.

During a press conference today, he announced that the Commonwealth will be issuing guidance for child care providers to help them comply with his directive to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Duke Storen, commissioner of the state’s Department of Social Services, said that the guidelines would also call on providers to feed the children in their care, stagger recesses, and include activities that would allow children to stay six-feet apart.

He acknowledged that it would be a hardship, but “they were up to the task,” Storen said.

The governor also announced 10 new cases of COVID-19, bringing Virginia’s total to 77 cases. There are three “outbreaks” — defined as two or more cases that can be traced to a common exposure. Two are in Richmond and the other, larger outbreak is in James City County.

Northam also encouraged Virginians to donate blood, which he said he plans to do this afternoon. James Hatcher of the American Red Cross estimated that the organization collected 100,000 fewer units of blood than usual in the preceding two to three weeks.

He also said that the roughly 2,000 ICU beds across Virginia have enough ventilators and respiratory support equipment, with access to an additional 400 ventilator units that could be deployed to specific hospitals if needed.

Regarding upcoming elections, Northam said that all Virginians could vote by absentee ballot in May contests. The deadline for applying is April 28. He said that voters would still be required to give a reason for requesting an absentee ballot.

The governor also said he’s requesting financial assistance from the federal Small Business Administration, in the form of low-interest loans to affected businesses. — Maureen Pao

March 18 11:00 a.m. A deputy U.S. marshal working in the D.C. Superior Court has tested positive for COVID-19. The news was confirmed by Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Brandt on Wednesday.

The deputy marshal worked in the cell block and in the adult and juvenile arraignment court, Brandt says.

“Many steps being taken to notify members of the public and the courts who were in contact with [the deputy marshal],” Brandt says. “We’re taking what precautions we can.”

The deputy has been self-isolating since falling ill on Friday and reports that he’s successfully recovering, Brandt says.

“He worked in the lockup behind courtroom C-10, where a large number of defendants are arraigned every day,” Slate writer Mark Joseph Stern notes on Twitter. “Many are then released back into their communities.”

The reported details of the deputy’s work and interactions with other staffers could have serious implications for court employees. And, as James Zeigler, director of the D.C. legal advocacy group Second Look Project writes, “This makes it nearly certain that there are active cases inside the D.C. Jail now.”

Leah Gurowitz, spokesperson for the D.C. Superior Court, tells DCist that the court received the news late Tuesday evening. She says the court will have a statement soon with more details on who the marshal was in contact with over the past week. — Elliot Williams

Grocery Stores Create Special Shopping Times For Older Adults

March 18, 10:00 a.m. (updated at 4 p.m.): Grocery stores around the D.C. region and the country have begun adjusting their hours to allow time for elderly adults to shop alone and avoid the spread of coronavirus.

Employees at the entrance to the H Street Whole Foods in D.C. were carding shoppers to check their ages on Wednesday morning, according to Popville. All Whole Foods stores in the U.S. will serve only customers who are 60 and older for an hour before opening to the general public. For D.C.-area locations, that has meant reserved shopping for older adults 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

“We are setting aside this time to help these customers, who national health authorities have identified as among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, feel more comfortable shopping our stores and helping to ensure they are able to get the items they need in a less crowded environment,” Whole Foods wrote in a statement.

Similarly, starting on Thursday the Giant Foods on Westbard Ave. in Bethesda will open from 6 a.m.-7:30 a.m. for shoppers 60 years and up.

Many stores have shortened their operating hours and are trying to hire more employees to relieve overburdened staff. Most Trader Joe’s locations in the Washington region have curtailed their operating hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Safeways in the area remain open regular hours.

Other grocery stores and markets have launched curbside pickup programs for shoppers wary of crowded spaces. At Each Peach Market in Mt. Pleasant, for example, customers can email in a grocery list and employees will pack up a box for pickup. — Mikaela Lefrak

March 17

• Arlington’s Virginia Hospital Center Opens Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing
• D.C. Announces Nine More Positive Cases
• Businesses Can Apply For Federal Disaster Aid, D.C. Mayor Bowser Says
• D.C. Firefighter Tests Positive For COVID-19
• National Park Service Gives Sites Authority To Close
• Metro Trains To Run Every 15 Minutes For Essential Trips Only
• Maryland’s Governor Postpones State’s April Primary
• Virginia Gov. Mandates Businesses Limit Gatherings To 10 People
• To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus, D.C. Moves To Keep Fewer People Locked Up For Minor Crimes

Arlington’s Virginia Hospital Center Opens Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing

March 17, 9:15 p.m.: The Virginia Hospital Center says it will open a temporary site for limited drive-through coronavirus testing on Wednesday. All patients will need to have a referral from a doctor and an appointment, and they will need to be residents of Arlington County, employees of the county government or public schools, or patients of hospital staff.

“This is an important collaborative effort at a critical time,” County Board Chair Libbey Garvey said in a statement.

Only people exhibiting symptoms including fevers, chills, coughing or shortness of breath will be eligible for testing, the hospital says. Patients will also need to have written orders for COVID-19 testing from a licensed medical provider. Patients who aren’t showing any symptoms will not be tested, even if they were in contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. The hospital says patients will need to remain in their cars through testing.

The center, located at 1429 N. Quincy Street, will be open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Virginia Hospital Center says test results will be available within five to seven business days. To schedule an appointment, patients should call 703-558-5766 between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Virginia currently has 67 confirmed cases of coronavirus. — Carmel Delshad and Daniella Cheslow

D.C. Announces Nine More Positive Cases

March 17, 8:29 p.m.: An additional nine people in the District have tested positive for the coronavirus, D.C. officials announced Tuesday, bringing the total to 31 cases.

The new positive cases include three men in their 20s, one of whom attended the Conservative Political Action Conference. All nine cases were men. Contact tracing for the other eight people are currently underway.

As of Tuesday, Virginia reported 67 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and Maryland reported 57. — Carmel Delshad

Businesses Can Apply For Federal Disaster Aid, D.C. Mayor Bowser Says

March 17, 7:10 p.m.: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says businesses in the District can apply for federal help from the Small Business Administration to soften the impact of the coronavirus. The SBA will provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to help small businesses and private nonprofit organizations that have lost revenue. The funds can be used to cover fixed debts, payroll, accounts and other bills.

“While we continue our response to COVID-19, my Administration is launching our recovery effort, and one such step is relief options for small businesses,” Mayor Bowser said in a statement.

Small businesses can begin applying for loans on the SBA website.

The District will have its own local program for businesses, contractors and the self-employed, as part of an emergency relief bill passed in the D.C. Council on Tuesday.

Businesses in the D.C. region are groaning under sharp restrictions imposed in the last week to contain the spread of coronavirus; thousands of people were laid off in restaurants, the arts, wellness and entertainment. More job losses are inevitable as the CDC has advised against gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. — Daniella Cheslow

D.C. Firefighter Tests Positive For COVID-19

March 17, 7:54 p.m.: A D.C. firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed to DCist on Tuesday.

The city was first notified of the positive test result on Monday. The firefighter worked at two different firehouses in the city: Station 19 on Pennsylvania Avenue SE, and Station 32 on Irving Street SE, according to Dabney Hudson, the president of the Local 36 firefighter’s union.

Members attached to both firehouses have been contacted by the city, says D.C. Fire spokesperson Doug Buchanan. Anyone that had direct contact with the firefighter who tested positive will be in self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of last contact, per Buchanan. They will be tested for the virus if DC Health or a doctor advises it. DC Health is also conducting contact tracing for the firefighter.

The city declined to say how many firefighters have been advised to self-quarantine. The firefighter worked last week, but it’s not clear how many shifts or how many calls they responded to. It’s unclear how much contact the firefighter had with the public, when the firefighter started feeling symptoms, or how they may have been exposed to the virus. — Natalie Delgadillo

National Park Service Gives Sites Authority To Close

March 17, 5:00 p.m.: The National Park Service says programs and operations that don’t meet the latest coronavirus guidance may be canceled or closed.

Park superintendents “are empowered to modify their operations, including closing facilities and cancelling programs, to address the spread of the coronavirus,” Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said in a Tuesday afternoon press release. Outdoor spaces may remain open if it is possible to adhere to recommendations to address the spread of COVID 19.

Several D.C.-area NPS sites had already made the decision to close in the past week, including the Washington Monument, the Old Post Office Tower and Ford’s Theater National Historic Site.

A number of NPS visitors’ centers, nature centers and restrooms are closed, but visitors may still be able to access park lands.

Other local sites run by NPS include Rock Creek Park, the Tidal Basin, Pierce Mill, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, Meridian Hill Park, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Fort Dupont Park, Theodore Roosevelt Island.

None of those NPS sites have announced closures yet, but they may do so in light of the latest NPS guidance. — Ingalisa Schrobsdorff

Metro Trains To Run Every 15 Minutes For Essential Trips Only

March 17, 3:55 p.m.: Metro has announced further cutbacks in service, in an attempt to limit trips to essential travel only.

As of Wednesday, March 18, the Metro system will be open 5 am – 11 pm on weekdays, and 8 am to 11 pm on weekends. Trains will run every 15 minutes on all lines, and all of them will be 8-cars in length, to enable passengers to distance themselves from each other.

Track work beyond emergency maintenance and inspections will be canceled so that the system can keep to 15-minute headways.

Buses will run on a Sunday schedule, with some lines supplemented to ensure passengers are not crowded. Bus drivers will be allowed to pass stops if they are concerned about social distancing between riders.

MetroAccess subscription trips are canceled, but the service will still be open for reservations.

Ridership on rail and bus was down 70% on Monday. That was also the first day the system scaled back service to Saturday levels.

Fares will not decrease, despite the cuts in service.

“Our region is speaking with one voice: Stay home. Essential travel only,” Metro said in a statement.

The restrictions include travel related to the Cherry Blossom Festival, the announcement points out. Metro’s pandemic task force “is urging the public to NOT travel to the Cherry Blossom Festival to keep Metro’s limited capacity available for essential travel (e.g. doctors, nurses, essential governmental functions, etc.). Metro reserves the right to close stations near the Tidal Basin at any time to reduce the use of Metro for tourist trips,” it says.

The announcement has far-reaching consequences for Metro employees. On Metrobus alone, it represents a 60% reduction in the number of employees normally needed to operate the system. — Margaret Barthel

Maryland’s Governor Postpones State’s April Primary

Tuesday, 12:45 p.m.: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan postponed the state’s April 28 primary election until June 2 to give the state Board of Elections time to figure out how to keep polling judges and staff safe during the election. This comes amid a 54 percent increase overnight in confirmed coronavirus cases in the state.

“Free and fair elections are the very foundation of American democracy,” Hogan told reporters Tuesday. “And while there are many valid reasons for unease and uncertainty right now, ensuring that the voices of Maryland citizens are heard, shouldn’t be one of them.”

Maryland’s 7th Congressional District General Election for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings’ seat will still take place on April 28, but will be by mail-in only ballot.

State Board of Elections officials say they expect to have precautionary measures set up for the June 2 primary in a few weeks.

Hogan also postponed the May 16 Preakness Stakes Horse Race to September. That came after the Kentucky Derby, which was supposed to happen on May 2, was postponed till Labor Day Weekend for the first time in 75 years. A spokesperson for The Maryland Jockey Club, owner of the Preakness Race, wrote in a statement that their first priority is the health and safety of the jockeys and the public at large.

“While we are mindful of the challenges these times present, we also know that events like the Preakness Stakes can help restore our sense of place and economic well-being to our communities and state. As soon as we have further clarity on these matters we will inform all,” said the statement.

Additionally, the governor is closing all Motor Vehicle Administration officers throughout the state and cancelling non-commercial driver’s license tests. As head of the National Association of Governors, Hogan is also asking the federal government to postpone the deadline for states to become compliant with the Real ID licenses.

The Maryland Health Department is also looking at additional ways to test for COVID-19. The department’s Deputy Director Fran Phillips says they want to open up motor vehicle emission inspection sites to allow for drive-thru testing.

“It’s a social distancing maneuver so that it doesn’t put the individual at risk or the healthcare worker who can effectively collect that specimen,” Phillips told reporters. “The problem is with the test equipment themselves.”

Phillips and Hogan emphasized that there aren’t enough tests to distribute.

“Ramping up the drive-thrus is a relatively easy part,” Hogan said. “It’s the back end of the house that needs to get up to speed with testing availability and labs being up to speed. A number of other states have tried and failed miserably and shut them down after a number of people crammed in there and couldn’t get the tests done.” — Dominique Maria Bonessi

Virginia Gov. Mandates Businesses Limit Gatherings To 10 People

March 17, 11:42 a.m. (updated 7:13 p.m.): Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has signed an order mandating the state’s restaurants, movie theaters and fitness centers to allow no more than 10 people to gather in their spaces at once.

“I’m much more about carrots than I am sticks,” Northam said. “Hopefully we won’t get to the point where we have to do a lot of enforcement.”

Businesses that violate the order may have their permit to operate suspended and face misdemeanor charges.

Northam acknowledged that these changes will affect the lives of workers across the state. He said the Virginia Employment Commission would be waiving the one-week waiting period so that people who file for unemployment can start receiving benefits right away.

Health officials in Virginia said as of Tuesday there are 67 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, but they acknowledge that testing for the disease has been limited. One of the new cases, confirmed Monday, is a patient in a long-term care facility.

Officials also said there is now evidence of what’s called “community transmission”: people who have the virus, but who have no known exposure to a confirmed case of the virus.

Northam also strongly urged residents aged 65 and older to quarantine themselves. And he urged Virginians not to attend St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Tuesday night.

“Public health relies upon every individual making responsible decisions,” Northam said. — Jenny Gathright

To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus, D.C. Moves To Keep Fewer People Locked Up For Minor Crimes

March 17, 9 a.m.: Police and prosecutors in D.C. have been given more flexibility in deciding whether to issue a citation to someone accused of a minor crime instead of detaining them, and the city’s Department of Corrections is expected to gain power to release more people from jail early.

The two steps are part of an evolving response to how the coronavirus is impacting the criminal justice system. While most local court systems have postponed trials and jails and prisons have suspended in-person visits as a means to prevent the spread of the virus, defense attorneys and civil rights groups say more needs to be done to keep people charged with minor offenses out of court and jails to begin with.

In a letter sent to D.C. officials last week, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs said the city’s jail — which holds roughly 1,800 inmates — could be the center of a coronavirus outbreak “because of the close confinement of a large number of people, the high volume of intakes and discharges, and the large number of high-risk individuals.”

“For the safety of the prisoners, the staff and for the good of public safety, we urge the city to work urgently with court and federal partners to dramatically reduce the population in custody,” said the group.

That could start happening soon. In an emergency order issued on Monday, D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Robert Morin said that police and prosecutors will be able to decide whether to issue a citation to someone charged with a minor crime instead of detaining them pending their first court appearance.

And as part of a broader emergency bill the D.C. Council is expected to pass on Tuesday, the Department of Corrections would be given additional discretion to give good-time credits to certain inmates serving sentences for certain offenses, allowing them to be released early.

Some elected prosecutors across the country have gone further, though, saying that the elderly and infirm and anyone within six months of completing their sentence should be released from custody immediately. And in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, judges have already started releasing inmates as a means to address concerns that the coronavirus could spread quickly behind bars. — Martin Austermuhle

March 16

• Arlington Officials Beg Bars And Restaurants To Close Dining Rooms
• Loudoun County Public Schools Close An Additional Three Weeks
• Virginia Power And Water Companies Blocked From Suspending Service During State of Emergency
• Doctor At D.C.’s Public Hospital Tests Positive For The Coronavirus
• White House Cancels Annual Easter Egg Roll
• An American University student is in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19
• A Metro Transit Police Officer Has Tested Positive For COVID-19
• Joint Base Andrews Issues Public Health Emergency
• D.C., Maryland, And Virginia Ask For Federal Testing Support
• Montgomery County Voters Asked To Request Absentee Ballots
• Howard University Cancels Commencement
• Businesses In Maryland Ordered To Close
• Physician At Children’s National Hospital Tests Positive For COVID-19

Arlington Officials Beg Bars And Restaurants To Close Dining Rooms

March 16, 9:06 p.m.: Arlington County officials are imploring bar and restaurant owners to end dine-in service after leaders in Maryland and D.C. took similar steps.

In a joint statement, County Board Chair Libby Garvey and County Manager Mark Schwartz called on Arlington’s food and drink establishments to voluntarily close their dining rooms for the time being by 10 p.m. Monday night.

“We thank all those that have already done so, but we plead with all our bars and restaurants that have not yet closed their dining rooms to [do so] … and not reopen until we can all work out safe ways for patrons to be served in person,” the statement said. “Otherwise, we will likely be overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases and the health of everyone in Arlington will be in jeopardy.”

Bars and restaurants are welcome to continue delivery and takeout services, officials said.

Arlington County does not have the legal authority to force businesses to close. The county would need to win permission from the state to do so. — Ally Schweitzer

Loudoun County Public Schools Close An Additional Three Weeks

March 16, 8:27 p.m.: The superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools said the Northern Virginia school system will remain closed until at least April 10 — three weeks longer than officials initially planned.

Superintendent Eric Williams said in a letter to families that it’s likely schools will remain shuttered “for an additional six to twelve weeks from now or longer.”

“We appreciate that this possibility will have significant additional impacts on the students, staff and families who are part of our community, and we are working diligently to address those issues,” Williams said.

The system also plans on purchasing 15,000 Chromebooks for students in third grade and beyond who do not already have a laptop issued by the district, Williams said. Families may be able to pick up the devices from campuses as early as next week.

The Loudoun school district educates nearly 85,000 students in one of the wealthiest counties in the country. —Debbie Truong

Virginia Power And Water Companies Blocked From Suspending Service During State of Emergency

March 16, 7:26 p.m.: The State Corporation Commission of Virginia has blocked electric, gas and water companies from disconnecting their services for nonpayments over the next two months, following a plea for temporary clemency by state Attorney General Mark Herring.

The move, which will last for 60 days beginning March 16, comes as companies and federal guidance are urging people to stay home as much as possible and practice good hygiene amid the coronavirus outbreak. Late fees will also be halted as long as Virginia is in a state of emergency.

“Virginians should not have to worry about their utilities being disconnected while we are in the middle of a public health crisis, especially low-income Virginians or hourly wage earners whose income is most likely to be impacted by business closures and social distancing,” Herring said in a statement. Herring filed an emergency petition on Friday to freeze possible disconnections. Dominion Energy also said it would not cut off on services due to nonpayments during this time.

Workers and experts alike had begun to express concerns over the financial well-being of people who may not be able to telework, like waiters and bartenders.

The decision comes on the heels of mandatory closures of Maryland and D.C. gathering spots like gyms, spas and restaurants. — Alana Wise

Doctor At D.C.’s Public Hospital Tests Positive For The Coronavirus

March 16, 6:54 p.m.: An emergency room doctor at United Medical Center in Ward 8 has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Washington Post reports. UMC is the city’s only public hospital, and it serves D.C.’s lowest-income communities east of the Anacostia River. There is no other full-service hospital in this part of the city.

Another doctor at the facility has been in self-quarantine since last week, when he began feeling ill and his wife tested positive for the virus after traveling abroad, the Post reports. That doctor is a gastroenterologist.

UMC has faced a number of medical and management scandals in the past. The hospital also had to close its obstetrics unit, leaving many expectant mothers east of the river with few options for a closer hospital.

There is a nursing home facility on one floor of UMC, which officials closed to outside visitation on Friday, per the Post. — Natalie Delgadillo

White House Cancels Annual Easter Egg Roll

March 16, 5:00 p.m.: The White House has canceled its annual easter egg roll “out of an abundance of caution” amid the outbreak of the coronavirus. The annual tradition dates back to 1878.

“The health and safety of all Americans must be the first priority, especially right now,” First Lady Melania Trump said in a statement. “I deeply regret this cancellation, but we need to make difficult decisions in the short-term to ensure a healthy country for the long-term.”

The First Family was scheduled to host the event on Apr. 13 on the South Lawn. The White House Historical Society issued a message today alerting people that the commemorative wooden easter eggs typically given to children who attend the event will still be available online.

This isn’t the first time the easter egg roll has been canceled, though it does appear to be the first time it’s been called off due to a health emergency. Years in which the tradition did not take place include 1918, 1943-1945, and 1946-1952. — Mikaela Lefrak

American University Student Tests Positive For COVID-19

March 16, 4:05 p.m.: An American University student is in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Dr. David Reitman, the medical director of the university’s student health center, said Monday the student was isolated in a room on campus with a private bathroom after showing symptoms of the respiratory illness. Food and personal items are being delivered to the student.

“We know this is concerning news, but we extensively planned for this situation,” Reitman said in a university-wide email. “The measures being implemented are supporting the health and safety of the student and our community.”

The student traveled within the United States and returned to campus before the end of spring break, which ended Sunday. The student’s previous room and nearby public areas were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, according to the university.

Reitman said the D.C. health department completed an investigation and found the student did not have close contact with other people on campus.

American University decided last week to end all in-person spring semester classes. All colleges and universities in the District have moved classes online to combat the spread of coronavirus. American University holds the license to WAMU. — Debbie Truong

A Metro Transit Police Officer Has Tested Positive For COVID-19

Monday, 3:40 p.m.: A Metro Transit Police officer has tested positive for COVID-19. Metro is closing the police facility he worked at near the Franconia-Springfield Metro station and the officer is at home in Prince George’s County isolating himself, a spokesperson for the agency confirms.

WTOP was the first to report the news.

The officer’s last patrol occurred on Tuesday last week. By Saturday, he was exhibiting symptoms, says Metro spokesperson Dan Stessel. The officer took the test some time over the weekend, and on Monday, Metro received notification of the positive result.

In addition to his patrol on Tuesday, the officer attended a union meeting on Wednesday where seven other members of the police union were present in the closed room for two hours, Stessel says. Those seven people have been told to self-quarantine.

On his last day of patrols, the officer did not make any arrests, Stessel says. In the days preceding, he handled three calls for service, including a medical call at Metro Center responding to a sick passenger, per Stessel. It’s still unclear how close the officer got to the passenger, or what the passenger’s symptoms were.

The police station near Franconia-Springfield is a freestanding facilitiy, and is not physically connected to the Metro station, Stessel says. The transit agency has ordered extra cleaning and disinfecting of the building where the officer worked.

Stessel says that Metro is currently considering options to further reduce service in order to reduce the number of employees that have to travel out to the city to run the buses and trains and work in stations. — Natalie Delgadillo

Joint Base Andrews Issues Public Health Emergency

March 16, 3:10 p.m.: Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County Maryland issued a public health emergency for the base on Monday afternoon, effective immediately, due to the evolving threat of COVID-19.

“Declaring a public health emergency on Joint Base Andrews allows us a proactive approach to protect the safety and health of our Airmen and the surrounding community,” said Col. Andrew Purath, the commander of the 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews. “Our top priority remains mitigating the effects and potential spread of this coronavirus.”

A declaration of a public health emergency on a military installation gives the base commander broad authority to take protective measures like limiting or restricting base access and movement, and limiting services. Joint Base Andrews is widely known for serving as the home base of Air Force One aircraft.

The order will remain in place for 30 days but can be terminated or extended at any time.

On March 17 at 11 a.m., Purath and his command chief will hold a Facebook Live question-and-answer session to address concerns around COVID-19. The live stream can be accessed on the Joint Base Andrews Facebook page.

A presumptive COVID-19 case of a military retiree dependent in the Joint Base Andrews community was reported last week. The patient in question is in self-quarantine at their home in Charles County, Md. —Victoria Chamberlin

D.C., Maryland, And Virginia Leaders Ask For Federal Testing Support

March 16, 1:35 p.m: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan are asking President Donald Trump to add the National Capital Region to the list of priority locations for COVID-19 testing.

The three signed a letter noting that federally-supported sites will be established in Boston, New York City, Seattle and other cities — but not the D.C. region, which is home to more than 6 million residents and the seat of the federal government.

“The health of the National Capital Region is a top priority for the continuity of our democratic government,” the three leaders write. They say their state health departments are working across borders to find sites for drive-through testing sites they could launch with federal support.

Some in the region are not waiting to set up drive-through testing; NPR’s Sarah McCammon reported, the health care non-profit Sentara set up three sites in southern Virginia after the number of COVID-19 cases there quickly rose. — Daniella Cheslow

Montgomery County Voters Asked To Request Absentee Ballots

March 16, 11:30 a.m.: Voters in Montgomery County are being urged to request an absentee ballot for the state’s April 28 primary, a step the Board of Elections says will “promote social distancing.”

The push comes as a number of states with upcoming primaries are struggling with how to allow voters to cast ballots while not crowding them into polling places all at once, especially given new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that events with more than 50 people be canceled for the next eight weeks.

Late last week, Louisiana announced it was postponing its presidential primary, which was originally scheduled for April 4. It will now happen on June 20. Georgia will also delay its March 24 primary. Arizona, Illinois, Florida, and Ohio all have their primaries on March 17, and all have said they will happen according to schedule.

Election officials regularly prepare for natural disasters and other incidents that could disrupt voting, but there is little in recent history to compare to the coronavirus pandemic. Still, election experts say states that have no-excuse absentee voting — like D.C. and Maryland — will be better suited to adapt by allowing voters to request and mail in their ballots.

In a statement earlier this month, the Maryland State Board of Elections said it will continue to discuss with federal officials and “will institute any appropriate safeguards to minimize the risk for voters and election workers.” It also encouraged voters to request absentee ballots. The deadline to get an absentee ballot is April 5. — Martin Austermuhle

Howard University Cancels Commencement

March 16, 11:25 a.m.: Howard University is cancelling its commencement ceremony, the university said Monday morning as part of a series of updates about the impacts of coronavirus on the school.

Howard officials said they based their decision on new Centers for Disease Control recommendations barring gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. “Given that Howard’s Commencement activities garner crowds of thousands, and the numerous elders and children regularly in attendance, we will cancel the event to avoid the potential for additional virus spread which would be problematic,” the university said. The commencement was scheduled for May 9.

The historically black university announced that an attendee at the Howard University Charter Day Dinner on March 7 has since tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and encouraged anyone who attended the event to call a doctor if they begin experiencing flu-like symptoms. “We are working closely with the [D.C. Health Department] and have been advised that the chances of contracting the virus are low,” Howard said in a statement.

Additionally, the university is moving officially to online-only courses for the duration of the spring semester. While Howard, like all D.C. universities, was already holding its classes online, the administration previously characterized the move to remote instruction as temporary. Now, students have been told that face-to-face instruction will not return for the rest of the semester.

Howard is closing its residence halls on Sunday, March 22. In its statement, the university says it will consider pro-rated refunds of room and board charges based on a variety of factors, including federal aid guidelines, unpaid balances, and more. Students who left their belongings in residence halls during spring break are encouraged to schedule a time to move out later rather than return to campus. — Rachel Kurzius

Businesses In Maryland Ordered To Close

March 16, 11:20 a.m.: All restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters across Maryland have been ordered to close Monday at 5 p.m. The directive came down from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) during a news conference Monday morning.

It’s unclear how long the order will remain in effect, but the move is another in a string of actions by officials attempting to stem the rise of coronavirus cases in the state. “It’s impossible to know how long this threat will continue,” Hogan said.

Drive-through restaurants, carryout and food delivery are exempt from the executive order, as are essential services including grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and banks.

The governor also announced protections for tenants who may be facing cost burdens during the pandemic.

Evictions will be banned temporarily during Maryland’s state of emergency. Enforcement of utility shutoffs due to nonpayment will also be put on hold. — Ally Schweitzer

Physician At Children’s National Hospital Tests Positive For COVID-19

March 16, 10:55 a.m.: A physician at Children’s National Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19, the medical facility announced on Monday.

The hospital on Michigan Ave. NW declined to identify the physician, citing privacy laws, but pledged to communicate with staff and patients who might have had direct contact with the person in question.

Additionally, Children’s National Hospital announced that one of its patients tested positive for COVID-19, noting that it was able to test the patient thanks to its additional testing capabilities.

“The [Emergency Department] followed all infection control protocols to protect other patients, families, and staff, and the child did not need to be admitted,” the hospital said in a statement. “Today we remain ready to serve the families who rely on us.”

As of Sunday night, D.C. had 17 positive cases of COVID-19, per data released by the city. It is unclear if the hospital’s announced positive tests are already reflected in the data or represent new cases. —Rachel Kurzius

This story has been updated to include more information on Dominion Energy’s coronavirus response, and to update Safeway’s hours of operation.

For more on how coronavirus has impacted the D.C. region, see these updates from the week of March 10-15.