An inmate at the Fairfax County Detention Center has tested positive for COVID-19.

Blogtrepreneur / Flickr

This story includes breaking updates from the week of March 23-29. You can follow the latest updates about coronavirus in the D.C. region here.

March 30, 10:20 a.m.: Five federal workers have filed a class action lawsuit against the government, seeking hazard duty pay because they worked “with or in close proximity to objects, surfaces and/or individuals infected with the coronavirus.”

Heidi Burakiewicz is a partner at the DC law firm, Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, and the lead attorney on the lawsuit. She says the five plaintiffs include a food inspector who came in contact with two employees with COVID-19, another is a medical technician who was exposed and contracted the coronavirus, and prison guards who were exposed to infected inmates.

“It’s a really scary situation,” Burakiewicz said.

Burakiewicz says the Code of Federal Regulations stipulates that agencies shall pay a 25% hazard duty pay when general employees work with or in close proximity to “virulent biologicals.” She says they are also entitled to “environmental differential pay,” which can be 4% or 8% of their base pay. Burakiewicz says there are other employees who are currently working in conditions that are not covered, but should be, such as TSA agents and screeners at airports.

The lawsuit was filed in the United States Court of Federal Claims electronically on Friday in conjunction with AFGE, a government employee union. Burakiewicz estimates the class action lawsuit will cover more than 100,000 federal employees.

The government has 60 days to respond. —Kavitha Cardoza 

More Stories From Today

Sahar Sarshar
People gather at The Wharf in the afternoon of March 14. Sahar Sarshar / WAMU

People Gathered Outdoors In D.C. This Weekend, Bucking Social Distancing Guidelines

March 30, 8:36 a.m.: With temperatures reaching 70 degrees yesterday, some people ignored the District’s social distancing guidelines as they gathered outside at Logan Circle, Lincoln Park, the fish market by The Wharf, Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park and the C&O trail by Anglers Hill. The District has been working to keep people from gathering at popular spots such as the Tidal Basin in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

On Sunday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated the District a “major disaster area” as the number of cases continues to rise, and Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered security from the public school system to patrol city parks and break up groups.

Bowser called for “no large gatherings over 10 and no group exercises like soccer, basketball and other group sports” earlier in the week during a press conference. “It is critical that we are all working together to stop the spread,” the mayor said.

Brooke Pinto, a candidate for Ward 2 DC Council, shared photos on Twitter of people gathering in groups in Logan Park over the weekend. “We need to heed the advice of the CDC and DC health officials to maintain 6ft distance,” Pinto said in a tweet. —Kavitha Cardoza 

 

More Stories From Sunday

D.C. Jail has another confirmed COVID-19 case. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

A Fifth D.C. Inmate Has COVID-19

March 29, 8:50 p.m.: The D.C. Department of Corrections announced Sunday a fifth inmate has tested positive for COVID-19.

A department spokeswoman said Sunday the patient is a 37-year-old man who had been living in the Correctional Treatment Facility, D Building. He was placed in quarantine on March 26 after another person in his unit tested positive for the virus.

“The DOC’s Medical Department and Unity Health Care will continue working with D.C. Health on contact tracing and to protect the health and wellbeing of individuals in DOC’s facilities,” DOC Director of Strategic Communications Keena Blackmon said in a statement on Sunday.

Earlier Sunday, the union representing corrections officers accused the D.C. government of not being equipped to deal with COVID-19 in jails.

Blackmon had not responded to a request for comment as of Sunday evening. —Ashley Lisenby

Sunday marked the worst day so far for coronavirus-related deaths in the Washington region. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Sunday Marks Worst Day For Coronavirus Deaths In Washington Region

March 29, 8:41 p.m.: More than a dozen residents in the D.C.-Virginia-Maryland region died of coronavirus Sunday, the highest single-day death toll.

Prince George’s County reported three deaths, including a male in his 30s and a woman in her 50s. Most area deaths have been those over 60.

D.C. reported four deaths related to coronavirus on Sunday, including a 39-year-old male, a 65-year-old male, a 68-year-old male and a 73-year-old male. It also reported 59 new positive cases of COVID-19.

Some counties, like Arlington County, Virginia, and Howard County, Maryland, reported their first deaths. Each reported two deaths on Sunday. All were older than 60 and three of the four had underlying medical issues.

“We must refocus and reinforce our efforts to stop the spread by staying at home, social distancing, and limiting interactions with others,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said on Facebook. “[We] are united to fight this virus and provide support and resources to all our residents during this difficult time.

“We will get through this with collective action, compassion, and kindness.”

Virginia has had 25 deaths, Maryland 16,, the Washington Post reports — and the District has reported a total of nine.

Federal officials expect the pandemic’s death toll to reach its peak in about two weeks. President Trump and the federal government are now extending their social distancing recommendations for another month, until April 30. — Jordan Pascale

FEMA Issues Major Disaster Declaration for D.C.

March 29, 6:20 p.m.: The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued Sunday a Major Disaster Declaration for D.C. that will pave the way for federal money to boost the response to the coronavirus. A FEMA spokesperson said there is no limit to this fund, although the District will pay 25% of costs while FEMA covers 75%.

The Major Disaster Declaration covers response costs including medical care, transport of supplies and mass mortuary services among other areas.

D.C. cases of the coronavirus are rising. On Sunday, the District reported 342 positive cases of COVID-19 among 2,812 people tested.

A bottleneck in testing supplies and protective equipment continues to thwart wider testing. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan have called on the federal government to support testing sites in the region.

FEMA says the Department of Health and Human Services, along with other federal personnel, will help bolster testing sites with extra people and by managing delivery of testing supplies; however, it did not specify how many tests it could obtain. — Daniella Cheslow 

D.C.’s First Coronavirus Case Is Released From Hospital

March 29, 5:30 p.m.: The rector of Christ Church in Georgetown is home from the hospital after some three weeks in treatment as D.C.’s first confirmed case of COVID-19.

Church spokesman Rob Volmer said Cole, 59, was diagnosed with flu and had pneumonia and COVID-19 as he stayed in Georgetown Hospital. The church community had grave doubts over whether their rector of three years would survive his ordeal.

“It’s such a relief to have him out,” Volmer said. “We were all very very concerned. He was in my prayers daily.”

Volmer says the church organist and four other members also recovered after they tested positive for the virus. The church has 800 families, and they have been meeting through daily online prayer services to avoid further contagion. — Daniella Cheslow

Corrections’ Officers Union Says D.C. Doesn’t Have Resources To Combat Coronavirus In Jails

March 29, 4:30 p.m.: Members of the Fraternal Order of Police union’s Department of Corrections Labor Committee say corrections officers aren’t being properly protected in D.C.’s jail and the District doesn’t have what it needs to fight the spread of the coronavirus in its facilities.

They say they aren’t being given protective equipment like masks, which the CDC recommends for correction facilities. And they argue that inmates aren’t properly cleaning and disinfecting the housing units, while the administrative wing gets professionally cleaned, they said.

In the meantime, the union says it decided its officers will only work in self-contained areas in the jail, known as “bubbles.” They will only leave if they are given masks and protective equipment.

They say if more protection isn’t put in place, “soon the Jail will have no corrections officers.”

Two inmates recently tested positive for COVID-19. More than 65 inmates were put in quarantine after they may have come into contact with a U.S. Marshall who tested positive. But the union says the quarantine lasted only two days and the contact tracing and investigation done by District departments were insufficient. The union says it suspects far more cases than announced because widespread testing is not available.

In a press release, the union says they’ve tried to work with D.C. Jail leadership, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Council to manage the coronavirus, but they say they were rejected.

“Our conclusion is two-fold: the city does not have the resources to combat COVID-19 and the Jail is the lowest priority among health and safety community,” Cpl. Benjamin Olubasusi said in the release. “And the City wants to keep the truth from the public.”

In recent weeks, the D.C. government has worked to lower the risk of contracting the virus by giving DOC the ability to release people accused of minor crimes early and directing police to make fewer arrests. — Jordan Pascale

Man Dies After Coronavirus Outbreak At Maryland Nursing Home

March 29, 2:35 p.m.: A resident of the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mt. Airy, Md., has died after contracting COVID-19, Carroll County officials said on Sunday. The man was in his 90s, and he had several underlying health conditions.

Officials announced on Saturday that more than half of the residents at Pleasant View, which has 104 beds, have tested positive for the disease.

“We have 66 people with underlying medical conditions who are infected with this virus,” said Ed Singer, the director of the Carroll County’s health department. Of those cases, 11 have been hospitalized.

Health officials said on Sunday that no staff have tested positive for the disease, though some have symptoms and are awaiting test results.

Singer said the health department has provided Pleasant View with more personal protective equipment, and is working to ensure the facility has enough staff to manage the care of sick residents.

County leaders say they are bracing for the outbreak to grow, though they reassured the public that they believe the outbreak is limited to the facility. — Margaret Barthel

Arlington County has reported its first two deaths related to COVID-19. Ron Cogswell / Flickr

Arlington Reports First Two Deaths Related To COVID-19

March 29, 2:10 p.m.: A 60-year-old who was found to be ill this week and a 72-year-old patient who has been sick for a few weeks are the first two deaths in Arlington related to COVID-19, the county announced Sunday.

Both had chronic medical conditions, according to a statement.

“These deaths, along with the increasing numbers of coronavirus cases we are seeing in the region, are a reminder that we all must be vigilant to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said Arlington Health District Director Dr. Reuben Varghese.

Northern Virginia has the most cases in the commonwealth, led by Fairfax County at 187 and followed by Arlington at 84. Across the commonwealth, 22 people have died. —Rachel Sadon

Metro is running at severely reduced capacity. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

WMATA To Maintain Limited Service As Metro Ridership Falls To Less Than A Tenth Of Normal

March 29, 12:50 p.m. (updated 2:22 p.m.): Metro riders took fewer than 50,000 trips on Friday, less than a tenth of what the system saw on a comparable date last year.

In fact, rail ridership has fallen nearly every day this month when compared to the equivalent calendar day in 2019, according to preliminary figures provided by the transit agency. The number of Metrobus trips has fallen by as much as 75 percent.

WMATA announced Sunday that it will maintain the same service plan as last week, with 19 Metro stations closed and only 26 bus routes running. [For full details on service from Metro and other local transit options, see this story.]

Seven employees have tested positive—three of whom are Metrobus drivers—and the transit agency is working to confirm the status of another five potential cases. Those figures do not include contractors working for the system.

Metro said Sunday that it will close off the first and last cars to create additional distance between operators and passengers. Although ridership has plummeted, the agency is continuing to run eight-car trains to allow room for social distancing.

—Rachel Sadon

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan discusses the state’s response to coronavirus at a news conference Friday, March 6, in Annapolis, Md. Bryan Witte / AP Photo

Maryland Crosses 1,200 Cases And Hogan Warns That ‘We’re Going To Be Looking A Lot More Like New York’

March 29, 11:13 a.m.: Maryland now has 1,239 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the state’s latest data. Montgomery County has the most in state at 301, followed by Prince George’s at 247.

“The Washington metropolitan area–Maryland, D.C., and Virginia— has quadrupled in the past week and we see that continuing to grow exponentially,” Maryland Governor Larry Hogan told Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace.

Virginia is reporting 890 cases, and D.C. was reporting 342 as of Saturday night, bringing the region’s total to more than 2,400 cases.

Hogan added that officials “don’t see any way” that the state will be opening up in the next few weeks, as suggested previously by President Donald Trump. “We think in two weeks, around Easter, we’re going to be looking a lot more like New York.”

The surge in cases in Maryland, where 10 people have died thus far, includes 66 cases at a nursing home.

But the governor noted that the virus is striking a much wider swath of the population than originally believed, saying that 56 percent of people who have been hospitalized in the state are younger than 60.

“We have people in their 20s, 30s, 40s—the biggest category is people in their 40s—but we got younger people, we have cases at 4 months old, 10 months old” Hogan said. “They’re not just folks from nursing homes that are in their 70s and 80s.”.

He issued a warning to young people who have ignored directives to practice social distancing: “You’re endangering yourselves and your family and friends by not following these orders.” —Rachel Sadon

Shawn Myers Charles County Sheriff's Office

Maryland Man Arrested For Hosting Bonfire With 60 People

March 29, 8:40 a.m.: A Maryland man has been arrested for violating Gov. Larry Hogan’s emergency order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people.

Shawn Marshall Myers, 41, hosted a bonfire of about 60 people late Friday night, according to the Charles County Sheriff. Hogan’s office confirmed that it’s the first arrest in the state for violating the order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people.

This was the second time officers responded to the house to investigate reports of a large gathering at Myers’ Hughesville home, according to a press release from the sheriff’s department. The first time, on March 22, Myers was reminded of the emergency order and dispersed the crowd. On Friday night, he refused multiple requests to comply with the order, the sheriff’s office said, and he was charged with violating it. — Jeffrey Katz

Saturday, March 28

Tyrone Turner
Coronavirus-related deaths have doubled from five to 10 in Maryland. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Maryland Has Reached 10 COVID-19-Related Deaths

March 28, 7:20 p.m. (Updated at 8:58 p.m.): The Maryland Department of Health announced five additional deaths attributed to the coronavirus Saturday evening, doubling the state’s total to 10.

The state’s announcement included a Prince George’s County resident in his 50s; a Charles County resident in his 50s; a Wicomico County resident in her 60s with underlying medical conditions; a Baltimore City resident in her 60s with underlying medical conditions; and a Baltimore City resident in her 80s with underlying medical conditions.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I report the first two [Baltimore resident] deaths linked to the COVID19 virus,” Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young said in a statement. “It is vital that we continue to protect each other and vigilantly practice social distancing to safeguard our community.”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also announced on Saturday evening that the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mount Airy is experiencing a “tragic COVID-19 outbreak.” A total of 66 residents have tested positive, and 11 are currently hospitalized, according to the Carroll County Health Department.

“Multiple state agencies are on the scene and working closely with the local health department and the facility to protect additional residents and staff who may have been exposed,” Hogan said in a statement. “We are leveraging the full arsenal of public health and government, but defeating this invisible enemy will require a unity of effort and spirit like nothing we have ever faced.”

Maryland is now reporting 992 positive cases of COVID-19; Virginia has reported 739 cases, and the District has reported 342 as of Saturday evening — bringing the region’s total number to more than 2,000 positive cases.

Maryland’s number of cases reported on Saturday represents a 28% increase from the known statewide total on Friday, according to the Baltimore Sun. — Elliot Williams

Andrew Bossi
The National Symphony Orchestra performs at the Kennedy Center. Andrew Bossi / Flickr

NSO Members Face Furloughs, Even After $25 Million In Aid

March 28, 7:02 p.m.: The Kennedy Center has furloughed all 96 members of the National Symphony Orchestra, citing financial hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter informed orchestra leaders Friday that musicians would receive their final paychecks April 3.

“The National Symphony Orchestra’s 96 musicians constitute a significant portion of the Center’s payroll. Without concerts and the corresponding ticket revenue, it is an unsustainable strategy to pay musicians to stay at home during this forced and still undefined quarantine period,” Rutter said in a statement provided to WAMU.

But the furlough may violate the musicians’ collective bargaining agreement, says Ed Malaga, president of the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Federation of Musicians. The union leader says NSO members are protected by a provision that requires the Kennedy Center to provide six weeks’ notice before cutting off pay for economic reasons.

The union quickly filed a grievance challenging the action.

“[The furlough] was unilaterally imposed on musicians,” Malaga tells WAMU. “We’re trying to understand why at this point the ax has fallen on musicians when we don’t believe there’s a real reason to do so, particularly when the musicians have expressed their desire to communicate with management about ways to find some accommodation.”

Players with the National Symphony Orchestra have year-long contracts and for many the orchestra is their full-time job, Malaga says.

The Kennedy Center expects to receive $25 million in aid as part of the $2 trillion stimulus package Congress approved on Friday and President Trump signed into law. But that money will be used for “long-term cash flow for essential personnel,” Rutter says in a statement. “Without this funding, the Center would run out of cash for operations by mid-May.”

The Washington D.C. Federation of Musicians has set up a fund for musicians struggling to pay the bills during the pandemic. —Ally Schweitzer

A. Bailey
Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, where Terrance Burke was counselor and head basketball coach. A. Bailey / Wikimedia

A High School Coach In Hyattsville Has Died

March 28, 3:57 p.m.: A popular counselor at a Hyattsville high school has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19, according to school officials.

Terrance Burke led the Wildcats boys basketball team at Northwestern High School, in addition to serving as a guidance counselor.

“I know this news is devastating and shocking to many in the Northwestern High School community and all who knew and loved him,” Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Monica Goldson said in a statement Saturday.

Tributes to Burke poured in on social media.

“Today we lost a father, grandfather, coach, mentor, friend, counselor, teacher, classmate, frat brother, Navy veteran,” Marques Brown posted on Twitter. “There are literally thousands of people affected by this one man.”

Burke was coaching basketball games as recently as last month when the Wildcats played in the 2020 MPSSAA Boys Basketball State Championships.

The remaining championship games were canceled this month amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of Saturday afternoon, Maryland has 992 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with five deaths reported. —Ally Schweitzer

D.C. may have to spend about $1 billion from its rainy-day fund to cover expenses, following a decrease in revenue due to coronavirus closures. Pictures of Money / Flickr

D.C. Will Be Forced To Dig Deep Into Savings If Economic Shutdown Stretches On

March 28, 1:35 p.m.: D.C. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt painted a grim picture during a presentation to city lawmakers on Friday: If the current economic shutdown continues, D.C. may have to dig deep into its savings account to cover the costs of the government.

In the briefing, DeWitt told the D.C. Council that the steep dropoff in sales tax revenue, coupled with a decline in income tax collections and slowdown in the real estate market, could force the city to use close to $1 billion from its rainy-day fund by August to cover the city’s operating expenses. The briefing was first reported by WAMU political analyst Tom Sherwood.

Earlier this year, DeWitt proudly announced that D.C. had hit a fiscal milestone: $1.43 billion in its rainy day fund, a historic high. Having that money in the bank means D.C. can dip into its savings periodically when it runs low on cash, which happens periodically during the year as part of the normal fluctuations of revenue and expenses. In the past, the city was forced to borrow from banks on a short-term basis, money it would then have to pay back with interest.

The recent economic standstill caused by the coronavirus pandemic has caused a dramatic slump in revenue collection, forcing D.C. to dip deeper into its savings to cover the cost of running the government. In one graph DeWitt used to make his point, the city’s cash flow is projected to dive precipitously through the summer, forcing the city to start spending more and more from reserves as the months drag on. By August, that could approach $1 billion taken from the rainy day fund.

Earlier in March, DeWitt told the council that the shutdown of the economy could eventually force lawmakers to trim up to $500 million from the current $9.3 billion budget. He also said his office would produce a new estimate of revenues for Mayor Muriel Bowser to draw up her 2021 budget, which is due to the council by early May. — Martin Austermuhle

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has ordered the closure of all state beaches. Elvert Barnes / Flickr

Hogan Closes Maryland State Beaches, Parks And Playgrounds In D.C. Region Also Shuttered

March 28, 12:45 p.m.: A long walk on a desolate beach? Maybe not. As part of Gov. Larry Hogan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Maryland state beaches will be closed as of today.

Spokesman Mike Ricci says it’s not the only step being taken to encourage people to stay home. Playgrounds, picnic shelters and other areas in state parks are also being cordoned off, visitor centers have been closed, and parking areas are being reduced to limit the number of visitors at any one time.

“National Resources Police and the Maryland Park Service are prepared to close or shut down any area of any park that gets overcrowded,” he tweeted.

Virginia imposed similar restrictions on Friday, shuttering overnight facilities and restrooms at state parks through April 30.

In D.C., playgrounds and recreation centers have been closed, and city officials worked with federal agencies to limit access to the Tidal Basin and to close the National Arboretum.

The National Park Service also announced that it was closing facilities at its parks in the Washington region. That includes picnic areas, parking lots, roads, restrooms, playgrounds, and water fountains.

Regional leaders and health officials say people should stay at home as much as possible, though limited outdoor activities are allowed. But if you choose to wander outside, officials say you should remain close to home and stay at least six feet away from other people. — Martin Austermuhle

D.C. Jail has a second confirmed COVID-19 case. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

Second Inmate At D.C. Jail Tests Positive For Coronavirus

March 28, 9:00 a.m.: A 44-year-old inmate at the D.C. Jail has tested positive for the coronavirus, the second positive test at the facility this week. The news was first tweeted on Friday night by The Washington Post’s Keith Alexander, and confirmed on Saturday morning by WAMU.

The inmate is housed in the Correctional Treatment Facility, one of the two parts of the jail (the other is the Central Detention Facility). It’s the same place where the first inmate who tested positive is being held, though city officials say they live in different units within the facility. After the first positive test, dozens of inmates were quarantined. But after this second test, jail officials say only the affected inmate and his cellmate have been quarantined.

Advocates have pushed for D.C. officials to release more low-level offenders from the jail. This week, the Public Defender Service asked a federal judge to release every inmate serving a sentence for a misdemeanor from the D.C. Jail. “Jails, in particular, have been aptly described as ‘petri dishes’ for COVID-19,” the attorneys argued in their filing.

“DC DOC’s Medical Department and Unity Health Care will continue working with DC Health on contact tracing and to protect the health and wellbeing of individuals in DOC’s facilities,” the agency said in a statement. — Martin Austermuhle

Friday, March 27

The federal government will pay for Virginia’s National Guard to assist with the state’s coronavirus response. Taber Andrew Bain / Flickr

Federal Government Will Pay For Virginia National Guard’s Help In Pandemic Response

March 27, 10:30 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Twitter Friday night that the Pentagon has agreed to fund the Virginia National Guard, which has been activated as the Commonwealth’s coronavirus response ramps up. It has not yet been deployed.

“Secretary of Defense @EsperDoD just authorized Virginia’s request to fund the @VaNationalGuard to help save lives and protect public health,” Northam tweeted.

That means that Virginia will be able to direct the Guard to help with logistics and supply issues, distribute food, assist first responders and health providers, and more — but the federal government will pick up the tab. Usually, the Commonwealth pays for 25% of the Virginia National Guard’s activities, and the federal government pays for 75%.

The approval also means that Virginia National Guard troops will be eligible for certain benefits they don’t have access to under state active-duty status. Those benefits include civilian employment protections, medical coverage, access to military hospitals, and worker’s compensation.

The news came after Virginia’s Congressional delegation wrote a letter to President Trump, expressing support for Northam’s request for federal help.

“Governor Northam requests this authority and funding for the Virginia National Guard as they work to respond to incidents related to the preservation of life and property in connection with COVID-19 emergency response efforts,” the letter said.

The federal government is already fully funding National Guard activities in three of the hardest-hit states: New York, California, and Washington. –Margaret Barthel

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is allowing farmers markets across the Commonwealth to reopen this weekend with some changes. Jean & Oliver / Flickr

Farmers Markets Will Reopen In Virginia This Weekend — With Some Modifications

March 27, 10:30 p.m.: You’ll still be able to pick up fresh local food from farmers markets in Virginia this weekend, but the shopping experience will be very different.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is allowing farmers markets across the Commonwealth — including in Northern Virginia — to reopen this weekend, with some significant restrictions.

Local markets were closed last weekend, after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order restricting patrons in food establishments and theaters to 10 or fewer. Since then, Northam issued another executive order requiring dining establishments to close except for takeout or delivery orders. The new guidelines from the Department of Agriculture offer a way for farmers markets to remain open while complying with the order.

The guidance says that markets shouldn’t set up booths or encourage on-site browsing. Whenever possible, they should set up ways for customers to order ahead online or by telephone — and if that’s not feasible, they should have a way of taking orders that doesn’t include browsing from tent to tent. The department also recommends setting up curbside pick-up to keep customers in their cars.

In Arlington County, markets will restrict access to 10 people at a time to preserve social distancing. Some markets have already set up online ordering platforms.

“We are working hard to develop a new system to do business that supports our community of shoppers and vendors, and still abides by the Governors Executive Order,” Amy McWilliams, manager of the Pike Park Market on Columbia Pike, said in a statement. –Margaret Barthel

An infection Control Protocol poster sits on a nursing station desk at the Palm Garden of Tampa Health and Rehabilitation Center Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Chris O'Meara / AP Photo

Three Residents And Two Staff In Montgomery County Nursing Homes Test Positive

March 27, 7:18 p.m.: Three nursing homes in Montgomery County are stepping up their infection control protocols after three more residents and two staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a county press release.

“We continue to closely follow these individuals and are working with the facilities to monitor any additional signs of illness,” said County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles in the statement. “We continue to provide guidance to nursing homes and long-term care facilities and have regular communication with them as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Three residents — two men in their 80s and one in his 60s — currently living at Brighton Gardens in Bethesda have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Brighton Gardens staff who may have been exposed to the men are self-quarantining. The facility restricted visitors from the outside several weeks ago, so health officials believe that only other residents and staff are at risk for exposure.

Two nursing home staff members have also tested positive, one at Fairland Center in Silver Spring and one at Fox Chase Rehab and Nursing, also in Silver Spring. In both cases, other staff who had contact with one of the individuals are self-quarantining, and there have been no further signs of illness among residents in the two facilities. Montgomery County public health officials are assisting with the contact tracing in both cases, though both individuals live in neighboring jurisdictions.

All three affected facilities will now conduct twice-daily temperature checks for all residents and staff; increase separation of residents to lower the risk of exposure; shut down all group gatherings and activities, and stop accepting new admissions. –Margaret Barthel

Amtrak is canceling Acela service amid coronavirus concerns. Mike Mozart / Flickr

Amtrak Suspends All Acela Trains

March 27, 5:51 p.m.: Amtrak is no longer running its high-speed Acela trains between D.C. and Boston. Northeast Regional trains are still operating, though on a reduced schedule.

“While Amtrak continues to operate across the nation, we have adjusted some services due to significantly reduced demand in key markets,” a statement on the company’s website reads.

Amtrak also notes it will temporarily end cash payments in stations and on its trains, in an attempt to minimize contact between its employees and passengers. It is also suspending cafe service on some trains.

Amtrak is also waiving change fees on existing or new reservations made before May 31, 2020.

Earlier this month, Amtrak canceled Acela trains that ran between D.C. and New York, citing declining ridership.

In 2019, Acela carried more than 3.5 million passengers along its corridor, which runs from D.C. through Philadelphia, New York, and up to Boston. –Margaret Barthel

Mar 18, 2020. Virginia Hospital Center set up a collection spot in Arlington for people to get tested for COVID-19. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

First Covid-19 Death Reported In Prince William County, Va.

March 27, 5:49 p.m.: Prince William County has reported its first death linked to COVID-19. The patient was a man in his 70s with chronic underlying medical conditions.

The man is the 15th person in Virginia to die from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The Prince William Health District said it had previously investigated the man’s close contacts.

“Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones,” Prince William Health Director Dr. Alison Ansher said in a statement.

Virginia announced 144 more positive cases today, and the state’s total has now surpassed 600. –Hannah Schuster

The Vietnam War Memorial on the National Mall. Micha84 / flickr

Annual Vietnam War Remembrance Ceremony Will Be Virtual This Memorial Day

March 27, 5:05 p.m.: The annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Wall will be online-only this year, according to a statement from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The ceremony is an annual event honoring veterans of the Vietnam War, hosted by VVMF and the National Park Service, at the Vietnam War Memorial on the National Mall.

“We did not make this decision lightly, and like all of you, we hope this national health crisis ends soon,” said Jim Knotts, the Fund’s President and CEO, in the statement.

VVMF said it made the decision early to prevent veterans from making travel plans and then having to cancel them if the coronavirus outbreak continues.

“We must take the necessary precautions to keep our attendees, volunteers and staff safe at this time. We look forward to welcoming you all back to The Wall when we can safely gather in large numbers again,” Knotts said.

VVMF will provide information for people wishing to contribute messages or memories to the Memorial Day webcast in the coming weeks. The ceremony will be livestreamed at 1 p.m. on May 25 on a dedicated webpage. —Margaret Barthel

University of Maryland students will receive partial fee refunds. university of maryland / Flickr

University System Of Maryland Will Issue Student Fee Refunds

March 27, 4:50 p.m.: Students of the University System of Maryland’s 12 schools, who have all shifted to remote learning, will now receive a partial refund of their student fees. This includes fees related to room and board, parking and athletics, according to an announcement from USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman.

“The leaders of our institutions recognize their responsibility to students and families whose lives and financial well-being have been disrupted by this crisis, and the decisions on each campus regarding fee refunds are being guided by that responsibility,” the chancellor’s statement says. The system’s board of regents voted unanimously in favor of issuing the refunds, as first reported by WTOP.

The refunds will be prorated and students should expect more information from their individual universities in the coming days. Last week, the university system announced it would move classes online for the remainder of the semester. –Hannah Schuster

The Virginia State House. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Virginia Leans On Prisons And Home Depot For Medical Supplies

March 27, 3:30 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Friday his state was evaluating face guards made by the Department of Corrections and leaning on donations from Home Depot and Dominion Energy as tight supplies threatened to hobble the response to a growing coronavirus spread. Northam encouraged corporations to donate equipment.

The Virginia Health Department announced 144 new cases of COVID-19; the death toll reached 14.

Northam said he spoke to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in a phone call with other governors and asked him to use the Defense Production Act to increase production of protective gear. Northam insisted that production and distribution of supplies like masks, gowns and gloves must be managed at the federal level.

“We’re all out there bidding, literally, against each other,” Northam said. “Here in Virginia, we’re bidding against our own hospital systems, other states and the federal government.”

Limited testing continues to stymie Virginia’s efforts to understand the spread of the coronavirus. The state lab has capacity to test about 1,800 people, said Denise Toney, the Director of the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services. She said her office was looking into automated equipment to allow for faster test processing, but said she still depended on a choked up supply chain. —Daniella Cheslow


Public Defenders Ask Judge To Release All Misdemeanants In The D.C. Jail

March 27, 2:55 p.m.: Lawyers in the D.C. Public Defender Service filed a motion in Superior Court on Thursday night asking a judge to allow the release of every inmate at the D.C. Jail currently serving out a misdemeanor sentence.

The emergency motion was filed in light of the D.C. Jail’s first positive case of COVID-19, which the D.C. Department of Corrections announced Wednesday night. A 20-year-old man being housed in the Correctional Treatment Facility tested positive for the new coronavirus and was isolated in the infirmary, per the DOC.

The man has been held in the jail since July 2019, per the filing, and officials don’t yet know how he contracted the virus.

Emergency legislation approved by the D.C. Council granted the DOC discretion to immediately release all D.C. Jail inmates sentenced on misdemeanor charges. The DOC has not applied this discretion broadly, and there were 94 misdemeanants housed in the D.C. Jail facilities as of March 24, according to the court filing.

“By definition, these individuals are going to be released in the near future, and have not committed serious crimes,” the filing says. “Jails, in particular, have been aptly described as ‘petri dishes’ for COVID-19.” —Natalie Delgadillo


Johns Hopkins Receives $4 Million From Maryland And Bloomberg Philanthropies For Coronavirus Treatment Research

March 27, 2:45 p.m.: Research out of Johns Hopkins University could help treat critically ill coronavirus patients and boost the immune systems of first responders.

The $4 million research grant is from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the state of Maryland. Arturo Casadevall, an infectious disease expert from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, is leading the research team of physicians and scientists.

In recent weeks, the team has been collecting and processing blood plasma from recovered COVID19 patients. The possible therapy is a medical concept called “passive immunity.” It means that those who recovered from an infection developed antibodies that circulated in the blood and can neutralize the pathogens.

“The recovered people could have in their blood something that could be very useful,” Casadevall told the Washington Post Friday.

The treatment has been used successfully against mumps, measles, and polio. Casadevall says he hopes the treatment—called “convalescent plasma”—could help provide relief to the nation’s medical systems that have seen a surge of cases.

Gov. Larry Hogan applauded Johns Hopkins for their work Friday.

“We are very fortunate that Maryland has some of the top health research facilities in the world, and I am confident in our state’s ability to be a leader in developing treatments and perhaps even a vaccine for COVID-19,” said Hogan.

While access to the treatment may be limited, and there’s still a question of who will pay for it—whether insurance will cover it or patients will pay out of pocket—hospitals are trying to set up trials for patients who meet specific criteria. The Food and Drug Administration is creating a way for people who are at high risk for death due to the virus to have access to the treatment. —Dominique Maria Bonessi

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and other senators from Maryland and Virginia say they are unhappy with how the Senate coronavirus aid bill treated the District. Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

A Deputy Director In D.C. Mayor’s Office Has Died Of COVID-19

March 27, 11:30 a.m.: George Valentine, an official in D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration, has passed away from COVID-19. He was the deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel.

“He had been working in the office and we are working on the contact tracing as we speak,” Bowser said at a press conference on Friday.

Valentine worked for more than 16 years as D.C.’s Deputy Attorney General before moving to the Mayor’s legal team last year, according to his LinkedIn. He also had a degree from Harvard Law School.

Valentine was admitted to a local hospital on Wednesday and died Friday. —Mikaela Lefrak

Kurman Communications, Flickr
Montgomery County now permits the sale of cocktails to-go. Flickr / Kurman Communications

Montgomery County Allows Restaurants To Sell Cocktails To-Go

March 27, 10:27 a.m.: On Thursday, the Montgomery County Liquor Board passed a resolution allowing to-go sales of cocktails. Carryout beer and wine are already permitted. All alcohol must be sold with a takeout or delivered meal.

This is a temporary amendment to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s order categorizing restaurants as essential services as a part of the coronavirus pandemic response.

In order to sell cocktails to-go, restaurants must have a current on-premises Montgomery County alcohol license and they must apply and receive permission through an online form. Businesses that have already applied for the beer and wine to-go “privilege” don’t need to reapply.

Once approved, businesses may sell alcohol through curbside pickup, carryout or delivery to Montgomery County addresses along with a meal, using their own staff. Maryland state law prohibits the delivery of alcohol by a third party, such as Grubhub or UberEats.

This resolution includes the sale of alcoholic beverages in a to-go cup with a lid, and of sealed containers such as bottles, cans, growlers and crowlers. Crowlers are non-refillable cans that are sealed at the time of purchase that can carry beer or wine. This permission will expire when the governor’s emergency order to close restaurants is lifted. —Kavitha Cardoza

Apollo is just one of the dogs looking for a home. Humane Rescue Alliance

Local Shelters Offer Pet Owners Assistance With Food And Supplies

March 27, 9:57 a.m.: The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) and DC’s Humane Rescue Alliance have each launched a Pet Pantry program for residents in need of pet food or other supplies. It’s part of an ongoing effort to help owners keep their animals and not have to give them up during difficult times.

The DC Alliance’s Director of Adoptions Ashley Valm says they have already had requests from pet owners saying they need help with feeding their animals, and they are bracing for a big rise in “surrenders.” While the number in the District has remained steady compared with last year, Valm says she’s expecting an uptick soon.

“I suspect in the coming weeks we’ll see the change. People are going to be forced to make decisions that they wouldn’t normally make in this economic situation,” Valm said.

The Humane Rescue Alliance runs two shelters in the city and is an ‘open access’ shelter, meaning owners can bring their pets to drop off without restrictions. She says people are “hunkering down” for now, but shelter staff are planning for increases based on previous challenging economic times.

“The majority of our owner surrenders are from people who are being forced to move, moving in with family or moving building and can’t take their animal with them.”

There are some hopeful signs. Valm says the number of adoptions has so far held steady and they have seen a “huge surge” in the number of people wanting to foster animals. Last year, she says, typically three to five people would sign up to foster an animal, but last week they had 90 requests in just two days.

Pet items will be available for pick up at the AWLA (4101 Eisenhower Ave.) by appointment only. —Kavitha Cardoza

Grocery store produce. Photo by Aaron Fulkerson / Flickr

Virginia Offers Expanded SNAP Benefits As Part Of Coronavirus Response

March 27, 9:15 a.m.: Low-income families in Virginia receiving government food benefits will see expanded services as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will provide emergency allotments for households currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if they are not already receiving the maximum benefits.

SNAP is a federal program that provides low-income families nutrition benefits to supplement their food budget. This will allow households’ current monthly allotment to increase to the following amounts:

Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)

In addition, certifications expiring in March, April and May will be extended for six months until September, October and November, respectively. Emergency allotments for current SNAP households will be provided for March and April. The work requirement will be waived effective April 1.

In a statement, VDSS Commissioner Duke Storen said, “We must make sure that no Virginian goes hungry during this time of crisis.”

The emergency benefits will automatically load to recipients’ SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. SNAP households will receive their regular April benefits on their usual date, and emergency benefits will be added on April 16.

Currently, over 680,000 individuals receive SNAP benefits in Virginia. On average, the monthly SNAP benefit per participant is $119. Individuals seeking to apply for SNAP benefits may apply online through CommonHelp or by phone at (855) 635-4370. —Kavitha Cardoza

Thursday, March 26

Travelers can expect wait times up to 30 minutes this weekend for Metro buses and trains. Suzannah Hoover / for WAMU

Metro Running Only 26 Bus Routes This Weekend

March 26, 10:10 p.m.: Metro announced it will run 26 “lifeline” bus routes this weekend as it continues to alter service in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The agency also told travelers to expect up to 30 minute wait times for trains and buses. Nineteen stations remain closed as Metro urges people to only use its service for essential travel.

Metro said in a release that essential travel includes “medical providers and hospital staff, first responders, critical government functions, individuals involved in helping the community respond to COVID-19, grocery and pharmacy trips, among others.”

On Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, Metro will operate between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Metrobus will generally run on a Sunday schedule and will board riders through the back of the bus.

Metro is also running shuttles from three rail stations to Sibley Hospital, Georgetown University Hospital, and Prince George’s Hospital using MetroAccess vans.

Click here for the full list of bus routes operating this weekend. —Carmel Delshad

Maryland joins 10 other states that have received major disaster declarations. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Maryland Becomes Eleventh State To Get Major Disaster Declaration

March 26, 9:09 p.m.: President Trump on Thursday granted Maryland’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the coronavirus pandemic, making it the eleventh state across the country to receive the designation.

The declaration was requested by Gov. Larry Hogan and gives the state access to additional federal funds to fight the spreading disease. On Thursday, Maryland posted its single biggest daily increase in positive coronavirus cases, at 157. That brought the statewide total to 580.

“This declaration will help provide much-needed funding for state and local governments and nonprofits, and it will be another important step in Maryland’s aggressive and coordinated response to COVID-19,” said Hogan in a press release.

Ten other states have received major disaster declarations, including California, Illinois, New York, Texas, Florida, and Washington state. –Martin Austermuhle

There are now more than 1,200 positive coronavirus cases across all of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Kazuhisa OTSUBO / Flickr

D.C. Reports 36 More Positive Cases

March 26, 8:42 p.m.: D.C. officials announced an additional 36 positive coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the District’s total to 267. The additional cases included one police officer — the third overall — and the eleventh and twelfth firefighters. Virginia added 69 coronavirus cases since Wednesday, for a statewide total of 460.

Maryland posted its single-biggest daily spike today in the number of positive coronavirus cases, at 157. That brings the state’s overall tally to 580. And for the first time, Maryland started reporting the number of people hospitalized and released from isolation: 132 and 23, respectively.

“We are only at the beginning of this crisis, in our state, in the National Capital Region, and in America. As I have repeatedly stressed, we should continue to expect the number of cases to dramatically and rapidly rise,” said Gov. Larry Hogan.

There are now more than 1,200 positive coronavirus cases across all of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. –Martin Austermuhle

“Parents/guardians are strongly urged to keep children at home as the first and best option to protect them from the virus,” said Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon in an announcement. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Maryland Closes Child Care Centers Starting Friday

March 26, 8:42 p.m.: Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools, Karen Salmon, announced that child care programs must close by the end of the day Friday, in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The announcement came just a day after Salmon announced public schools would remain closed for four additional weeks, through April 24. In that announcement, she said child care facilities could remain open.

Child care programs established to serve essential personnel — like health care workers — are exempt from the closure. Child care programs being forced to close may reopen as early as Monday (after a thorough cleaning, and with state approval) to serve children of essential personnel.

Also exempted from the closure is child care provided by family, friends or neighbors for five children or fewer. Still, Salmon’s announcement said, “Parents/guardians are strongly urged to keep children at home as the first and best option to protect them from the virus.”

Maryland has set aside 1,200 slots for children of essential personnel, in locations such as YMCAs, public libraries, and park facilities, and aims to increase capacity to 2,500 spaces. –Jacob Fenston

Metro closed its Van Ness and Tenleytown stations earlier today. Other stations like Gallery Place, pictured above, have also been closed. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Metro Closes Two Red Line Stations After Contractor Tests Positive For COVID-19

March 26, 8:00 p.m.: Metro temporarily closed the Tenleytown and Van Ness stations on the Red Line Thursday evening after learning that a contractor who had done overnight work there tested positive for the coronavirus.

“The stations were closed as soon as we were advised that a contractor who recently performed work during overnight hours tested positive for Covid-19,” said Metro spokesman Ian Jannetta, referring to the illness caused by the virus. “The task force is currently assessing the situation, but based on what we know at this point, it does not appear that there was any potential for close contact with customers. We are proceeding in an abundance of caution.”

Nineteen stations across the system were also closed Thursday due to low ridership and the need to maintain cleaning supplies. The transit agency has also started boarding buses from the rear doors as a means to minimize contact between passengers and drivers. –Martin Austermuhle

District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine, attends a news conference near the White House, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018 in Washington. Andrew Harnik / AP Photo

D.C. Attorney General Warns Five Retailers To Stop Price Gouging

March 26, 7:22 p.m.: D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine on Thursday said he sent cease-and-desist letters to five retailers — three convenience stores, one beauty supply store, and a D.C.-based seller on Amazon — for “credible allegations of price gouging.”

In one case, Racine alleges that a convenience store increased the price of a spray can of Lysol from $9.99 to $19.99, while another hiked the price of 24 bottles of water to $11.99 — up from the $5 charged at other retailers. He also says that the third-party seller on Amazon doubled the price on a number of products, including hand sanitizer.

It’s illegal to increase the price of goods and services — known as price gouging — during a declared state of emergency. (Stockpiling goods is also illegal.) Racine’s office says it has investigated 25 claims of price gouging by retailers since early March, all for products in high demand during the coronavirus pandemic.

Racine also joined Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, and others in sending a letter this week pushing Amazon, Facebook, Craigslist, and other online retailers to do more to police price gouging on their platforms.

“It’s unconscionable that retailers would take advantage of consumers during this worldwide pandemic crisis, and we will take every action we can to stop them,” Frosh said. –Martin Austermuhle

This year, George Washington University will not be holding its commencement ceremony on the National Mall. Victoria Pickering / Flickr

Local Universities Give Students Option Of Pass/Fail Grades

March 26, 6:20 p.m.: The University of Maryland announced today that undergraduate classes for the spring 2020 semester will be marked as pass or fail, unless the student chooses to receive a traditional letter grade.

The university, like many others in the region, is not holding courses in person for the remainder of the spring semester.

“These decisions were made in consultation with academic and student leaders across campus,” wrote Senior Vice Provost Mary Ann Rankin in a letter explaining the policy.

American University announced a similar policy today, which applies to all undergraduate and graduate programs, except the Washington College of Law. Georgetown University is also offering a pass/fail option to undergraduates for the spring semester.

George Washington University students also have the same option for most classes. Officials updated the school’s policy after students started a petition last week.

“GPAs determine scholarship eligibility and are crucial for any student wishing to pursue graduate studies, which is why allowing students to take classes pass/fail is necessary to minimize the impact of this epidemic on our academic experience and career success,” the petition reads. –Margaret Barthel

American University owns DCist’s parent company, WAMU.

The economic downturn has more residents looking to local non-profits and food pantries for assistance. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Salvation Army Sees Spike In Demand For Meals Across Region

March 26, 2:02 p.m.: The Salvation Army has seen a 30% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness needing food in the region.

Major Mark Woodcock, area commander of the Salvation Army National Captial Area, says they usually serve 150-200 hot meals every night through their mobile van.

“I don’t know if it’s other services shutting down and that’s driving more people to us, but we’re definitely seeing an uptick in the numbers we’re serving,” he said.

He expects the trend will continue.

Woodcock says the mobile feeding program is usually run by volunteers, but they’ve been asked to stay home to be safe. The program is now being run by staff members, which increases the cost of operation, he said.

The van has been operating since 1985 and makes the same six stops every night to feed the homeless and provide toiletries and information about other services.

The Salvation Army also provides food delivery for seniors, shelters and addiction treatment. –Kavitha Cardoza

Loudoun County Public Schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. Dominique Maria Bonessi / WAMU/DCist

Loudoun County Schools Employee Dies After COVID-19 Diagnosis

March 26, 1:15 p.m.: A school worker in Loudoun County, Virginia, died Wednesday night after becoming infected with the coronavirus, according to Loudoun County Public Schools officials.

In a message to the community, Superintendent Eric Williams said the woman was a staff member but did not disclose her identity or where she worked.

“We know that she is not a statistic, nor a number,” Williams said Thursday. “She is someone who poured her whole self into contributing to our community.”

Williams said county health officials have contacted people who came into close contact with the woman.

The school system has sent several messages over the last week, informing families about Loudoun school workers who have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. They included three staff members at Waxpool Elementary School and two employees at the Academies of Loudoun.

In-person learning at Virginia schools has been canceled for the rest of the academic year. —Debbie Truong

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and other senators from Maryland and Virginia say they are unhappy with how the Senate coronavirus aid bill treated the District Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

D.C. Leaders React To Senate Coronavirus Funding

March 26, 12:30 p.m.: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned how the Senate’s coronavirus aid package treated the District. It offered D.C. funding comparable to federal territories, not states. The District, which has a larger population than Wyoming and Vermont, will receive $500 million — about half as much as states, which each gets at least $1.25 billion.

“The very idea of being treated like a territory is shocking, it’s infuriating, it’s wrong, it’s outrageous,” Bowser said. “We pay more taxes, unlike the territories, than 22 states.”

D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson said the shortfall would hinder D.C.’s efforts to move “in lockstep” with neighboring Maryland and Virginia on the region’s public health response.

Bowser and the D.C. Council sent a letter to Senate leadership Wednesday, protesting the bill’s funding allocation. Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland raised some of those concerns on the Senate floor, saying that Republican lawmakers had negotiated the bill that way.

“I thought maybe this would be a simple fix. I mean, surely in a bill of $2 trillion in emergency relief, we can do right by the people of the District of Columbia and not shortchange them $700 million,” Van Hollen said, noting that many D.C. residents are federal government employees. “And the answer I got back was no. This was not a mistake.”

Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner agreed.

“D.C. should have been treated much more fairly,” he said on The Kojo Nnamdi Show. ”You have my commitment that we will try to correct that.”

Bowser told reporters that it’s unlikely that the gap would be fixed in the current measure. Local leaders and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton will work to make it up in the next round of federal relief, she said.

The frustration over the shortfall in federal aid came after D.C. announced a third death and 48 new positive cases Wednesday night, bringing the District’s total number of known positive tests to 231.

One of those positive cases is a man currently incarcerated in the D.C. Jail. Bowser said the man is in isolation in the infirmary. D.C. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Kevin Donahue said that the jail facility is close to half-empty, allowing for easier distancing between inmates. –Margaret Barthel

Maryland reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases in the state, bring its total confirmed cases to 580. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Maryland Sees Largest Single-Day Increase In Cases

March 26, 10:22 a.m.: Maryland reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases in the state, bringing its total confirmed cases to 580.

There are now more than 1,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the D.C. region.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday that the state was seeing an “unprecedented increase” in the number of residents applying for unemployment as businesses deemed non-essential have been ordered to shutter and as residents have been urged to stay home amid the local outbreak.

“This battle is going to be much harder, take much longer, and be much worse than almost anyone comprehends. We have never faced anything like this ever before, and I continue to urge the people of our state to stay in place at home and stay safe,” he tweeted.

Hogan tweeted that we should expect the number of cases to rapidly and dramatically increase in the coming days. –Dominique Maria Bonessi

Approximately 65 incarcerated people at the D.C. Jail are currently quarantined. Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU

A D.C. Jail Inmate Has Tested Positive for COVID-19

March 26, 9:01 a.m.: A 20-year-old male inmate in the D.C. Jail has tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to a statement from the D.C. Department of Corrections. He was previously held in the Correctional Treatment Facility.

“[The inmate] is currently in isolation in the infirmary and being monitored according to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines,” said DOC Public Information Officer Dr. Keena Blackmon in a statement posted to Twitter by Washington City Paper reporter Mitch Ryals. “For the last five days, the resident was housed in a single-occupancy cell.”

This comes a few days after a U.S. marshal of the D.C. Superior Court tested positive for the virus, and came into contact with dozens of inmates who have since self-quarantined.

The DOC previously announced it was increasing cleaning in all cell blocks in response to the pandemic. However, last week following the exposure, the union representing corrections officers at the D.C. Jail unanimously voted “no confidence” in the jail leaders’ handling of COVID-19. They asked for better protective equipment and trained medical professionals, and called for the removal of top leaders. —Kavitha Cardoza

Wednesday, March 25

The District currently has a total of 231 coronavirus cases. Kazuhisa OTSUBO / Flickr

Third Person In D.C. Dies

March 25, 8:30 p.m.: A 75-year-old woman in the District died Wednesday after becoming infected with the coronavirus, officials said.

The woman, who had underlying health conditions, is the third person in the city to die after testing positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, said Mayor Muriel Bowser.

“Each of these deaths is tragic, and we continue to pray for all the families who have lost a loved one as well as all the people in our community who have been sickened or affected by COVID-19,” Bowser said in a statement.

The District has a total of 231 coronavirus cases, according to the city.

Minutes after Bowser reported the city’s third death, D.C. Fire Chief Gregory M. Dean announced a 10th member of the city’s fire department tested positive for the coronavirus. —Debbie Truong

Montgomery County Public Schools will issue laptops to its students after deciding to stay closed at least another month. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Montgomery County Schools Will Distribute Laptops After State Extends Closure

March 25, 7:02 p.m.: The largest school system in Maryland will distribute laptops to students after state officials decided to keep campuses closed for at least another month.

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Jack R. Smith said the school system will begin issuing Chromebooks to students Thursday to ensure “students with real need” have access to the devices.

Students in Maryland have been out of class for more than a week, after state officials shuttered campuses to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. State officials have now extended the closure through April 24.

In a message to families, Smith said the school system will release more information in the coming days about how students will learn during the closure.

“School is at the heart of our county and community,” Smith said. “However, this is the right decision to ensure everyone’s safety as we combat the spread of COVID-19.”

Schools in the District are also closed until April 24. Students in Virginia will not return to school this academic year. —Debbie Truong

A group of 15 law enforcement officials are pushing for Whole Foods employees to get more paid leave during the COVID-19 crisis. Carmel Delshad / WAMU

Attorneys General In Washington Region Call On Jeff Bezos To Expand Sick Leave

March 25, 5:51 p.m.: The state attorneys general in D.C., Maryland and Virginia were among a group of 15 officials calling on Jeff Bezos to expand paid sick leave policies for employees at Amazon and Whole Foods.

In a letter to Bezos and Whole Foods CEO John Mackey on Wednesday, the group described the existing sick leave policies as “inadequate to protect the public health during the developing COVID-19 crisis.”

They’re calling on the retail giant to voluntarily adopt the policies required under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: namely, to provide two weeks of paid sick leave if employees are unable to to work because they are subject to quarantine or isolation, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have to care for family members. The bill also requires 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave to take care of children during school and daycare closures.

“Grocery stores remain one of the few businesses that have stayed open during this time and grocery workers are really on the frontlines of this public health crisis,” said Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring in a press release.

Amazon, which owns Whole Foods, is not subject to the Family Leave Act legislation, which applies to employers of 500 or fewer. The company is currently giving employees who have tested positive or who are in quarantine two weeks of paid leave. This does not extend to delivery drivers, who are independent contractors. —Chris Chester

Metrobus went fare-free during the coronavirus pandemic. Federal dollars are on the way to fill the hole that will leave in its budget. Suzannah Hoover / WAMU

Federal Stimulus Would Mean More Money For Metro

March 25, 5:15 p.m.: WMATA could get about $1 billion in federal aid set aside for public transit when the congressional stimulus bill passes.

The Senate allotted $25 billion in grants to help public transit systems across the country that are losing fare revenue as the majority of Americans stay home during the coronavirus outbreak.

Metro estimated it would lose $52 million a month during the pandemic. And that was before buses went fare free on Tuesday.

Passengers have been boarding in the back of the bus to help socially distance themselves from bus operators. But fare machines are in the front of the bus so fares were waived.

Metro has closed 19 stations and reduced bus and rail schedules to protect its workforce and conserve cleaning supplies, not save money, says spokesperson Dan Stessel. But he said Metro wouldn’t be able to go on for months like this.

“We can roll with it for a couple cycles,” he said Tuesday night. “But it’s not sustainable for the long haul.”

Metro would get the money no later than seven days after the bill passes.

Rail ridership has declined 90% over the same time last year. Bus ridership is down about 65%.

Metro makes about 40% of its operating budget through fares. More than 50% of operating costs are paid for by state and local taxes, but even those dollars could be in jeopardy as local governments deal with lower tax revenues and delayed payments.

The Amalgamated Transit Union welcomed the bill, saying it accomplishes many of their goals including securing money to keep paying workers and to keep service running for frontline workers in other industries. It also provides money to pay for more cleaning supplies and personal protective gear like masks and gloves. —Jordan Pascale

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced further restrictions Wednesday to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the commonwealth. Steve Helber / AP Photo

Virginia Calling Up Medical Volunteers

March 25, 3:05 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam called for healthcare volunteers Wednesday and pleaded for federal help in averting a bidding war over medical supplies. This comes as state authorities announced 101 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 391 known cases. Nine people have died.

Northam said he would order elective surgeries postponed to preserve space and equipment for patients suffering from COVID-19. He said he was working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify sites for emergency hospitals. Further, he urged healthcare volunteers, including medical students, to sign up at VAMRC.org. So far, the state has 8,000 deployable volunteers. More than 1,500 new volunteers signed up in the last month, Northam said.

“We are exploring ways to make it easier for qualified medical professionals to help out,” he added. “This includes reworking our licensing procedures, and considering the use of medical students and others.”

Northam explained that caring for coronavirus patients requires as much as 10,000 items of protective gear per hospital per day, and he said he put in a second request for protective equipment from the national stockpile. Northam said that some vendors raised prices as states engaged in bidding wars.

“That is why we need a nationally-led response,” Northam said. “Allowing the free market to determine availability and pricing is not the way we should be dealing with this national crisis.”

To further contain the spread of the coronavirus, Northam ordered campgrounds in state parks closed.

He also exhorted Liberty University to reconsider its decision to stay open even as public schools and other colleges across Virginia have closed. –Daniella Cheslow

Debbie Truong
The D.C. Council gave hotels and motels an extension on their first payment of property taxes until June 30. Debbie Truong / WAMU

Bowser Says No Delay In Property Tax Collection

March 25, 1:40 p.m.: Like a growing number of jurisdictions across the U.S., this week D.C. gave residents an extra three months to file their income tax returns. But there will be no similar extension on the first of the biannual property tax payments, due March 31.

“It will be very unlikely that we are able to do that. It will be detrimental, if not catastrophic, for the District’s cash flow. And if the District is going to be able to pay its bills, we have to maintain a consistent cash flow,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday.

At $2.8 billion last year, property taxes accounted for one-third of D.C.’s $8.6 billion budget. And as the city navigates choppy financial waters with the virtual shutdown of the economy, city officials say they need to carefully watch what money is coming in and going out.

While D.C.’s rainy-day fund reached a historic high at $1.43 billion earlier this year, D.C. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt told lawmakers last week they need to be careful how quickly they draw from it. In the past, D.C. has borrowed from banks on a short-term basis to cover immediate cash needs, something DeWitt said he would like to avoid if possible. In order to do so, he said the city needs to make sure it has money in its rainy day fund and enough coming into city coffers on a predictable schedule.

As part of an emergency bill passed last week, the D.C. Council gave hotels and motels an extension on their first payment of property taxes until June 30, and gave other businesses until July 20 to pay sales taxes due in February and March. Combined, those two provisions are costing D.C. $266 million in the short-term. –Martin Austermuhle

Tyrone Turner
Maryland schools will be closed for another month due to the state’s increase in coronavirus cases. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Maryland Extends School Closures Until April 24

March 25, 12:50 p.m.: Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced that schools will be closed for another month amid the increase in coronavirus cases in the state.

As of Wednesday morning, there were 423 confirmed cases in Maryland and four virus-related deaths. Salmon said local school districts should enact “continuous learning plans” and encourages remote learning for districts that have the ability to do so.

“We do not make this decision lightly,” Salmon said. “However, with the challenges facing our state and our country, we have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our school communities and the communities at-large.”

To address concerns about equity across the state, Salmon said, the state board will be devising standards that will have to be the baseline of learning outcomes for all school districts.

Salmon also responded to concerns parents have about trying to get their students to do remote learning at home.

“I know it seems like months we’ve been doing this,” Salmon said. “But we’re really trying to push out resources to parents in the interim.”

Students would go back to school on April 27.

Salmon also said first responders and other essential personnel on the frontlines of combating the public health crisis can sign up for child care through the state department of education website. Food services and meal deliveries will continue to be made throughout the state so students who need meals will still be able to access them for the next month. –Dominique Maria Bonessi

D.C. Mayor Bowser is telling District residents to leave their homes only for essential reasons. Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo

A Wireless Alert Tonight Will Tell Residents To Stay Home

March 25, 11:25 a.m.: At a press briefing this morning, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser continued to urge residents to stay at home.

Bowser also said that at 8 p.m. tonight, D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency will send out a wireless emergency alert to “make sure all residents know they should stay at home and only make essential trips.”

“Stay at home, be a good neighbor, help us contain the virus in our city and nation,” she said.

An additional 46 patients tested positive for COVID-19 as of Tuesday night, Bowser said. This is consistent with the increase in positive test results the city has expected with more testing.

In the coming days, Bowser said the District will be announcing more drive-through testing sites similar to what’s been instituted at Children’s National Hospital. Currently, D.C.’s hospitals have 78 available ICU beds and 260 ventilators.

“We need more,” Bowser said. —Elliot Williams

D.C. school lottery results will be released as planned on Friday. However, the enrollment date for schools has been moved back. Ivan Aleksic / Unsplash

D.C. School Lottery Results Won’t Be Delayed, But Enrollment Will

March 25, 11:00 a.m.: The results of My School D.C., the citywide admissions lottery that tens of thousands of parents use to apply for seats in their preferred schools, will be released on Friday, March 27, as initially scheduled.

However, the enrollment date for schools is changing. While parents who matched with a school were initially expected to enroll by May 1, My School D.C. says the deadline has now been pushed to either one month after schools are expected reopen — that would put the enrollment date at May 27 currently — or to June 15, whichever is earlier. –Martin Austermuhle

Washington National Cathedral is donating 5,000 respirator masks it purchased more than a decade ago to two D.C. hospitals to help with their ongoing coronavirus efforts. F Delventhal / Flickr

National Cathedral Donating 5,000 Masks To Hospitals

March 25 10:33 a.m.: Washington National Cathedral is donating 5,000 respirator masks to two hospitals in D.C. to help with their ongoing coronavirus efforts. Georgetown University Hospital will receive 3,000 masks today, and Children’s National will receive 2,000. The Cathedral will keep some masks for its own ministry needs.

Church officials say the masks were purchased more than a decade ago, following a previous health scare. They were meant to allow clergy to provide pastoral care without putting their own health at risk. They weren’t needed and were forgotten until the boxes were discovered during routine work in a storage area on the Cathedral’s crypt level.

Cathedral officials say they reached out to the manufacturer and the CDC and both confirmed the masks were still safe to use. —Kavitha Cardoza

Tyrone Turner
Respirator masks have been in short supply amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

To Conserve Supplies, Only Test Patients Most Likely At Risk, Maryland Hospital Association Head Warns

March 25, 9:58 a.m.: President & CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association Bob Atlas is urging doctors to only refer people most likely at risk for coronavirus testing. Atlas says area hospitals’ testing capacity is “limited,” and he’s concerned that the number of tests coming back positive are in the single digits.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, people without symptoms of COVID-9 are a “non-priority” for testing.

While a low percentage of positive test results could be interpreted as good news, Atlas warns there’s a flip side.

“We may be testing too many people who wouldn’t really need the test. There is no such thing as testing on demand. We just need to make sure that doctors only order the tests for people who are most likely to be at risk,” Atlas said.

Atlas says different hospitals in Maryland have different amounts of inventory, but supplies “are beginning to run low” in some places. Atlas says for every test performed, the health care worker has to be fully garbed in protective equipment. Sticking to the testing guidelines helps hospitals conserve supplies.

Julian Walker, vice president of communications for the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, says member hospitals have supplies at the moment but they are going through them “rapidly.”

Hospitals from both jurisdictions are reaching out to suppliers out of state and abroad to meet their needs.

Walker says in the past few days, the Commonwealth received a “substantial” disbursement from the Strategic National Stockpile, the nation’s largest supply of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies designated for use in a public health emergency. That disbursement included personal protective equipment such as gloves, face masks and face shields. Walker says most of those supplies have been distributed to hospitals and other health care providers.

Atlas says Maryland has also requested supplies from the National Security Stockpile, but he’s not sure whether their request has been delivered. He says they need “urgent help” from the federal government. —Kavitha Cardoza

A sign encourages social distancing near the Tidal Basin. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

D.C. Doing Great At Social Distancing, Virginia Faring Just OK

March 25, 9 a.m.: When it comes to social distancing, D.C. residents are doing pretty darn well.

That’s according to a new national “Social Distancing Scorecard” from Unacast, which used millions of GPS data points drawn from smartphones to ranks states and counties on how well its residents were doing in staying home, as elected leaders and health officials have been urging they do to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Overall, average mobility across the U.S. has dropped almost 40% as the pandemic has spread, earning the country a letter grade of B. In D.C., though, the decrease is 60%, getting the city an A and putting it among the best jurisdictions nationwide in terms of social distancing. (The top five is rounded out by Alaska, Nevada, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.) Go ahead, make jokes about D.C. residents being rule-followers or just plain socially distant even in normal times.

Maryland posts a 42% decrease in mobility for a B, though there are some local variations: movement in Montgomery County dropped by 52%, while in Prince George’s County it was down 43%. Virginia is the worst performer in the region at 38%, though there again it varies by where you are in the state. Arlington posts a 52% drop, while in Loudoun County it’s 46%.

Local officials across the Washington region have urged residents to stay home as much as possible, leaving only for essential activities like grocery shopping, medical appointments, or to go on walks (while keeping a distance, of course). There have been hits and misses, though — Virginia trailed D.C. and Maryland in deciding to shutter bars and restaurants, while crowds still flocked to see the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin last weekend, prompting D.C. officials to close roads and limit access. —Martin Austermuhle

Tyrone Turner
For the economic health of the region, address the pandemic first, a local economist says. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Address Pandemic Rapidly To Reduce Economic Harm Later, Local Economist Says

March 25, 8:44 a.m.: An area economist says addressing the health crisis should be top priority to mitigate impact on the local economy down the road.

“Right now, the basic economic activity and the basic wealth in the region hasn’t been affected by the health crisis. It’s just been stopped. And the longer the health crisis goes on, the more likely it is that the wealth and the economic activity will be affected. So it makes sense to treat the health crisis first,” said Fuller Institute Director Jeannette Chapman, who studies the Washington economy at George Mason University.

Chapman says with 30% of the D.C. area economy tied to the federal government, this region is usually stable and more insulated from business cycle changes than other parts of the country. But because this recession is driven by a health crisis, spending behaviors are different from economic slumps in years past. Federal workers are avoiding restaurants out of safety concerns, and they are cutting back on their spending on entertainment.

Chapman also points out that the Washington region has “very robust commuting” between different areas. That makes decisions more complicated for these workers, who have to pay attention to the decisions of governments in their work jurisdiction and their home jurisdiction. She says it helps that in general, Virginia, D.C. and Maryland have all been trending in the same direction of reducing non-essential activities, though the specifics are a little bit different.

Yesterday during a discussion on Manassas-based radio station 106.7 The Fan, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said governments are confronted with “two terrible problems” right now.

“One is we’re trying to save people’s lives, and what we also don’t want to [do is] kill the economy and the businesses and all the people who’ve lost their job. We want to try to solve both problems. It is a very difficult thing to do,” Hogan said. —Kavitha Cardoza

Arlington County
Equipment locker room at Fire Station 3 in Arlington. Arlington County / Flickr

An Arlington Firefighter Has Tested Positive For COVID-19

March 25, 7:32 a.m.: An Arlington firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a press release from the county, and is doing well and recovering at home. Public health officials are looking into who the firefighter came into close contact with in recent days.

Firefighters in Arlington County are already wearing masks and protective covering over their uniforms to provide everyone extra protection. The gear does not mean the person they are helping is sick with the coronavirus, or that their home or workplace is under any threat of the virus.

The department has also adjusted its medical response to limit the number of emergency medical providers who come in contact with patients. Now some providers may remain at the recommended distance and be called only when necessary. —Kavitha Cardoza

Tuesday, March 24

A medical worker greets patients at a new drive-through sampling site in Arlington. The Virginia Hospital Center and Arlington County set up the site, but limitations are strict. Inova Health is setting up similar drive-up testing sites on Wednesday. WAMU / Tyrone Turner

Inova To Open Three Drive-Up Testing Sites In Northern Virginia

March 24, 10:30 p.m.: The Inova nonprofit healthcare network says it is opening three drive-up “respiratory clinics” at its Urgent Care Centers in Dulles South, North Arlington and Tysons to collect samples for COVID-19 tests.

The clinics will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Wednesday, according to an announcement distributed by the Fairfax County Health Department.

Inova says patients can get tested if they have orders from their physicians, or they can be evaluated at the clinics for whether they need a test. The test results will take between 4-7 days, Inova says.

Before arriving, Inova recommends patients contact their doctors or call 1-855-IMG-DOCS. –Daniella Cheslow

Metrorail ridership is down 90% as of Monday. Mr.TinDC / Flickr

Metro Closing 17 More Stations On Thursday To Conserve Cleaning Supplies

March 24, 7:42 p.m.: Metro is closing 17 more of its 91 stations, along with 10 station entrances, as the system continues to scale back service in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The closures will go into effect on Thursday and continue until further notice.

The agency says the service changes are an adjustment based on reduced staff availability and are meant to ensure the safety of Metro employees. With fewer stations and station entrances open, fewer station managers will be required to keep the system functioning. It will also preserve the stash of cleaning supplies since they won’t have to clean closed stations. Metro says it has about two to three weeks of supplies left until new shipments arrive.

Metro says the stations slated for closure were identified based on low ridership levels, many numbered 400 rides or less on Monday, or based on stations that were near other ones.

Map of Metro service changes. Provided by WMATA

Across the rail system, ridership was down by 90% on Monday. The 61,000 rides on Monday was the equivalent of an hour of rush hour on a normal day, Metro spokesperson Dan Stessel said.

The list of 19 stations includes Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery, which have been closed since Friday.

The stations that will close in full are:

  • Archives
  • Arlington Cemetery
  • Cheverly
  • Clarendon
  • Cleveland Park
  • College Park
  • East Falls Church
  • Eisenhower
  • Federal Center SW
  • Federal Triangle
  • Greensboro
  • Grosvenor-Strathmore
  • Judiciary Square
  • McLean
  • Morgan Boulevard
  • Mount Vernon Square
  • Smithsonian
  • Van Dorn
  • Virginia Square

These station entrances will also close, reducing the need to wipe them down as often:

  • Anacostia (North)
  • Farragut North (L and Connecticut)
  • Dupont Circle (19th Street)
  • Metro Center (12th and F)
  • King Street (North)
  • National Airport (North)
  • U Street (U and Vermont)
  • Gallery Place (9th and G)
  • L’Enfant Plaza (Constitution Center)
  • Friendship Heights (Jenifer Street)

Trains are currently operating every 20 minutes, except on the Red Line, where trains are running every 15 minutes. Buses are operating on a modified Sunday schedule. But Stessel says more schedule changes haven’t been ruled out.

“It’s still a very dynamic situation,” Stessel said. —Margaret Barthel and Jordan Pascale

Pressure is growing on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to institute a shelter-in-place order. Suzannah Hoover / WAMU

Councilmember Calls On Mayor Bowser To Institute Shelter-In-Place Order

March 24, 6:14 p.m.: At-large Councilmember Robert White called on the mayor to issue a shelter-in-place order for D.C. on Tuesday. He is the first councilmember to do so publicly, though Attorney General Karl Racine has also called for the city to institute such an order.

White’s statement came after Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the closure of all nonessential businesses in a press conference on Tuesday.

“The mayor today ordered the closure of nonessential businesses, which I applaud,” White said in a statement. “I urge the mayor to take the next step of issuing a stay-at-home order. Any step we can take to reduce the spread of coronavirus is an important step.”

Other councilmembers pressed the mayor on the matter in a private call on Monday, per the Washington Post, though no others have yet made a public statement. —Natalie Delgadillo

D.C. Funk Parade 2018 kyle tsui / Flickr

D.C. Funk Parade Canceled

March 24, 5:25 p.m.: This year’s Funk Parade down the U Street Corridor has been called off due to the city’s restrictions on mass gatherings. The current social distancing mandate ends on Apr. 27 but parade organizers believe it’s likely to be extended. The annual event was scheduled for May 9 this year and typically brings thousands of people to the U Street and Shaw neighborhoods for a parade, marching band competition, and live performances.

“It is difficult for us to continue planning for, and pouring resources into, our annual festival, which may be cancelled due to continuing public health concerns,” wrote Jeffery Tribble, Jr. of the MusicianShip, the nonprofit that runs the parade. The MusicianShip has also had to call off a weekend of scheduled events for the Wammies, D.C.’s version of the Grammys, previously planned for March 27-29.

But the coronavirus pandemic can’t stop the music entirely. In an email announcing the parade cancellation, Tribble shared a playlist featuring Funk Parade artists and signed off with a message of support: “Our hearts go out to the many families whose health is affected by COVID-19, our support goes out to the creatives who are struggling to make a living, and our drinks go up to those willing to embrace the spirit of Funk, which aims to make us all healthy, happy, and whole.” –Mikaela Lefrak

Respirator masks have been in short supply amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Virginia Ramps Up Sourcing Efforts For Crucial Protective Equipment

March 24, 3:15 p.m.:Virginia has received its first shipment of personal protective equipment from the National Strategic Stockpile, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday during his regular daily briefing.

That shipment includes gear such as masks, gloves and gowns for use by health care workers and first responders.

“We are working every day to ensure that our hospitals and medical professionals have the equipment they need to do their job,” he said.

Those supplies have been distributed to local health departments and providers, and a second shipment is expected next week.

“We know it will not be enough, and this is an issue nationwide,” he said.

Northam also announced the state was working to source personal protective equipment locally — reaching out to tech, coal and tobacco companies among others. And he said one order has been placed with an overseas company.

The state is also talking with local businesses to repurpose manufacturing capacity to produce in-demand supplies such as N95 respirators and ventilators.

Among the efforts is an order for 1 million surgical masks and 500,000 N95 masks, with a 10-day delivery time.

Virginia distilleries are making hand sanitizer, and Northam said the Department of Corrections is making sneeze-guard masks, producing 25,000 yesterday with another 25,000 expected today.

His press conference took place as restaurants and other nonessential businesses prepare to close or dramatically reduce their operations at midnight.

The number of confirmed cases in Virginia rose to 290 cases, and with a death in Virginia Beach reported overnight, the total number of deaths in the state rose to seven. —Maureen Pao

The National Arboretum has closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Shell Game / Flickr

National Arboretum Is Now Closed To Public

March 24, 2:15 p.m.: The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that the National Arboretum would be closed to the public until further notice over concerns of the spreading coronavirus pandemic.

“Effective today, the grounds and outdoor garden collections will be closed, and all activities and tours have been cancelled until further notice. The Administration Building/Visitor Center along with the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum were closed as of March 14,” said a press release from USDA, which operates the 446-acre wooded getaway in Northeast D.C.

The arboretum’s closure came at the request of D.C. officials, who have recently started taking steps to limit access to popular locations in the city where people could gather. Last week, Mayor Muriel Bowser closed the city’s playgrounds, and later worked with federal officials to restrict access to the Tidal Basin, where large crowds gathered over the weekend to see the cherry blossoms.

Thousands of visitors were said to have visited the arboretum over the weekend, raising concerns that D.C. residents and visitors were not heeding Bowser’s calls that they practice social distancing and stay at home spare for essential trips like grocery shopping and medical appointments. —Martin Austermuhle

Ivan Aleksic, Unsplash
The first employee of Montgomery County Public Schools has tested positive for COVID-19. Ivan Aleksic / Unsplash

Maryland Records Its Fourth Death From COVID-19; MCPS Reports First Positive Case

March 24, 1:24 p.m. The first employee of Montgomery County Public Schools has tested positive for COVID-19, Dr. Travis Gayles, the county’s health officer, announced today.

The patient is a staff member at Whetstone Elementary School in Montgomery Village, but did not develop symptoms until after the final day of school. The person is receiving treatment for the illness now.

People who may have been in close contact with the person have already been notified by health officials, whose investigation determined no students or staff are at risk for exposure.

There are currently 349 confirmed cases in Maryland — 107 are in Montgomery County.

The state also recorded its fourth death today: a Prince George’s County resident in his 60s who suffered from underlying medical conditions. The county has 63 confirmed cases to date. —Maureen Pao

D.C. Leaders Announce $1 Million Education Equity Fund As Students Begin Distance Learning

March 24, 12:24 p.m. D.C. students are back to class today, following an extended spring break. But they’re not heading back to actual school buildings—instead, they’ll be learning at home, online and through work packets provided by their teachers.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn announced the creation of the D.C. Education Equity Fund, which will help provide students with device and internet access they need to continue their schooling during the coronavirus. The fund has already surpassed $1 million, including donations from local foundations.

“Together as a city we must wrap our arms round our students and families who are experiencing learning in new ways,” Kihn said.

But that’s going to be a challenge. D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee said the District already has 18,000 devices that it will distribute to DCPS students, about 30% of whom don’t have access to a computer device at home, he estimated. The major challenge will be connecting the 30% of students who don’t have Wi-Fi in their homes to the internet. Through the equity fund, Ferebee said the school district could be able to provide mobile hotspots or other solutions to those students.

DCPS will prioritize getting devices and the internet up and running for high schoolers who currently don’t have access. He expects the devices to be available for students next week.

But leaders still acknowledged the magnitude of the task.

“I think we would be overpromising if we said we were going to close the digital divide in the middle of a global pandemic,” Bowser said. “But we’re going to do the very best we can.”

Educators have developed work packets and other resources for D.C. students, especially for those who can’t currently get online to learn. Ferebee said DCPS printed 74,000 packets for students. He was pleased to report that nearly three-quarters of them had been picked up by District families. —Margaret Barthel

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in a joint call asking the federal government to offer financial support during the coronavirus outbreak. Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

Bowser Closes Nonessential D.C. Businesses

This story was updated at 9:22 p.m.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser added on Tuesday personal services like retail clothing stores, hair salons and tour guide services to the list of nonessential businesses required to close as the city seeks to curb the coronavirus outbreak.

The city announced 46 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 183 positive cases of the disease.

Bowser said car and bike repair shops can stay open, as can banks, childcare facilities, supermarkets, liquor stores, and pharmacies.

Her announcement came shortly after President Trump said he wanted Americans working by Easter, which raised alarm among health experts across the country, NPR reported. Bowser’s order goes into effect March 25 at 10 p.m. and lasts through April 24, long after the president’s target date.

“Everything that we’ve done is really absent any national direction,” Bowser said. “It is alarming to hear the president say that without medical and health guidance that he would put starting the economy ahead of saving lives.” —Daniella Cheslow and Margaret Barthel

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information from Mayor Bowser’s emergency order.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is warning residents, “This no longer is just about older people.” Jose Luis Magana / AP Photo

Maryland Governor Says School Closure Decision Coming This Week

March 24, 11:08 a.m.: Governor Larry Hogan said an announcement about Maryland schools is coming in the next few days.

“Every state, every governor in a country is talking about what to do about schools,” Hogan said during a radio interview on 106.7 The Fan this morning.

He said the state’s superintendent of schools, Karen Salmon, has been talking with local districts about different options including online learning and sending study packets home.

“We don’t want to bring kids back into an area, into a school system, when it’s still at the peak of the virus and running the chance of getting a bunch of kids sick,” he said. “We also don’t want to just have kids lose out on the opportunity to learn for the rest of the semester.”

Yesterday, Hogan ordered all non-essential businesses to close by 5 p.m. Maryland schools have been closed since March 16.

President Trump has said that state governors will have “leeway” to decide when they want to reopen schools. Yesterday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered all public schools and related activities closed through the end of the academic year.

Superintendents across the country are expected to be briefed by the CDC today. –Kavitha Cardoza

Ted Eytan
D.C. will close some in-person customer service sites to help slow the transmission of COVID-19. Flickr / Ted Eytan

D.C. Ends In-Person Customer Service at DMV, DCRA, And DDOT Until Late April

March 24, 10:19 a.m.: Starting on Wednesday, March 25, D.C. will close some in-person customer service sites at the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Transportation, as part of the District’s bid to slow transmission of the coronavirus.

DMV locations around D.C. will no longer be open. The department is still operating remotely, with most services available online. It plans to reopen ticket adjudication services on April 27 and all other in-person services like inspections and service centers on April 28.

All DMV-issued documents, including licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations, ticket payments, inspections and ticket adjudication responses with expiration dates or deadlines between March 1 and April 28 have been extended until May 15. Tickets will remain in their current status until May 15, with no added penalties, though drivers are encouraged to pay them online.

Maryland and Virginia DMV locations are also closed.

At the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Permit, Business License, Residential Center and Home Owner Center will be closed until April 27. There are online options available in the interim for permit applications and plan reviews. Business, professional and vending licenses set to expire during D.C.’s state of emergency will be given a 45-day extension after the emergency ends. Applications or renewals of business licenses, registrations of corporations, or the creation of an LLC can all be completed online. 2020 biennial reports and trade name renewals filed between April 2 and June 1 will not be charged a late fee.

DCRA inspectors are continuing to perform home and construction site inspections. Abatement services will be limited. The department will also continue to investigate consumer protection complaints.

At the Department of Transportation, in-person space permitting services will no longer operate, but residents can go online to apply for and renew permits. –Margaret Barthel

Old Rag and Whiteoak Canyon trails have been closed over crowding concerns. Shenandoah National Park / Flickr

The Popular Old Rag Mountain Trail in Shenandoah National Park Is Closed To Reduce Crowding

March 24, 8:55 a.m.: The National Park Service announced that Old Rag Mountain and Whiteoak Canyon trails in Shenandoah National Park are now closed, by order of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The closure comes after NPS expressed concerns over crowds of people visiting Shenandoah over the weekend, prompting officials to close the roads leading to the Old Rag area.

The access roads — Nethers Road and Wheatley Hollow Road — are closed except to local traffic.

“We are closely monitoring COVID-19 with the federal, state, and local authorities,” a statement on the Shenandoah National Park website reads. “The situation is changing rapidly. Please monitor our social media sites and/or our website for the most up-to-date information.”

Old Rag Mountain is the most popular hike in the national park, attracting crowds of visitors each year for a nine-mile scramble up to a panoramic outlook and back.

On Saturday, the park begged visitors to stop congregating on high-use trails like Old Rag, Whiteoak Canyon, and Dark Hollow Falls.

“We are concerned that Saturday’s visitation patterns were in violation of CDC recommendations,” a statement posted on Saturday reads. “If you are coming to the Park, please choose to visit areas that are not crowded to allow for adequate social distancing.”

Fees for visiting Shenandoah and other national parks have been waived by the Department of the Interior.

In D.C., National Park Service-maintained land around the Tidal Basin also saw crowding over the weekend, as people turned out to see the cherry blossoms in bloom. That prompted Mayor Muriel Bowser to ask the Department of the Interior for permission to have D.C. police close roads in the area on Sunday. Metro also closed the Smithsonian station, which is closest to the blooms.

Other National Park Service areas — think the National Arboretum, Rock Creek Park, and Great Falls — in the D.C. region remain open. Great Falls Park, home to the popular Billy Goat Trail, is open and not collecting fees.

Bowser told reporters on Monday that she’ll continue talking with the federal government about further restrictions if crowds continue to be a problem.

“We plan … to have a more global discussion with the National Park [Service],” she said. –Margaret Barthel

Tyrone Turner
Five Loudoun County public schools employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Five Public School Workers Tested Positive For COVID-19 In Loudoun County

March 24, 8:15 a.m.: Five employees of the Loudoun County school system have tested positive for the new coronavirus, NBC4 first reported. School officials say this includes employees at elementary schools Waxpool, Liberty, Pinebrook and Moorefield Station.

Waxpool Elementary School Principal Michael Pellegrino is among those who tested positive for COVID-19.

Yesterday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered all public schools and related activities closed through the end of the academic year. –Kavitha Cardoza

Monday, March 23

This is the department’s eighth confirmed case of coronavirus. Heather Paul / Flickr

A D.C. Assistant Fire Chief Is Department’s 8th COVID-19 Case

March 23, 10:30 p.m.: The city’s fire and EMS department announced another one of its workers has tested positive for coronavirus.

An assistant fire chief with the department reported Monday afternoon that they tested positive for coronavirus, wrote Chief of DC Fire and EMS Department Gregory Dean in a statement.

“The Assistant Fire Chief was tested after he was not feeling well over the weekend. He will remain home for the next 14 days under quarantine. He is in good spirits and is doing well.”

This is the eighth person from the department to test positive for COVID-19. The department’s infection control group is currently working with the DC Health Department to identify anyone who came in contact with the individual.

Dean asked that members of the department continue to use personal protective equipment on calls to reduce the risk of exposure. —Christian Zapata

What officials say is the “region’s first coronavirus testing site for children and young adults” opened at Trinity Washington University over the weekend. Warren LeMay / Flickr

Children’s National Hospital Opens Children-Focused Testing Site

March 23, 10:30 p.m.: Children’s National Hospital officials say they’ve opened the region’s first coronavirus testing site for children and young adults. The drive-thru opened over the weekend on the campus of Washington Trinity University in Northeast D.C.

Testing at the site requires a referral from a primary care physician, who can refer patients up to 22 years. Walk-up patients with referrals can also be tested.

Kurt Newman, the hospital’s president and CEO, said it established the site to reduce the need to send patients suspected of having the novel coronavirus to pediatricians’ offices. There they can infect other patients, their families and staff who may not have the protective gear and facilities that can help stem the spread of the virus.

“The hope is that we created an additional, more convenient option for the primary care doctors in our community to safely identify the children who require quarantine and care,” Newsman said in a statement. “It also means fewer families will be forced to visit an emergency department for a COVID-19 test.”

Primary care doctors may refer patients who have either an increased risk for developing severe symptoms because of underlying medical conditions or because the child has an immediate family member who is in a high-risk category. –Lauren Markoe

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in a joint call asking the federal government to offer financial support during the coronavirus outbreak. Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

Elected Officials From D.C., Maryland, And Virginia Call On Federal Government For Help

March 23, 8:30 p.m.: The elected leaders of the District, Maryland and Virginia are asking the federal government for financial help and testing supplies to cope with COVID-19.

The two Democrats — Mayor Muriel Bowser and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam — and Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan held their first joint call Monday. They pledged to work together to blunt the spread of the pandemic and its economic impact on the region.

They noted that the “COVID-19 virus knows neither borders nor boundaries––it does not recognize state or city lines.”

They asked for additional financial support to help maintain the health and safety of the region and the federal workers.

“We carry a unique responsibility to keep the federal government operating,” they said in a statement. “Our actions promote the health and safety of more than 360,000 federal workers who live and work across our three jurisdictions. No other region in the country bears this responsibility.”

D.C. and Maryland have been more in step with their responses to the coronavirus. Virginia has taken a slower pace, for instance, only closing dine-in restaurants and bars on Monday, while D.C. and Maryland did so a week ago.

While none have called for “shelter-in-place” orders, they did say they are all encouraging residents to stay at home and each jurisdiction will be enforcing crowd control measures and social distancing standards. —Lauren Markoe

There are now 137 confirmed cases of coronavirus in D.C. Kazuhisa OTSUBO / Flickr

New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Bring District Total To 137

March 23, 7:45 p.m.: Twenty-one people in the District have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours — bringing D.C.’s total known positive cases to 137.

The newly confirmed cases include a one-year-old girl, six people in their twenties and six in their thirties.

As of Monday evening, Virginia reported 254 positive cases and six deaths. Maryland reported 288 cases and three deaths. —Lauren Markoe

A second D.C. police officer who tested positive for coronavirus “has been quarantined and is now resting and recovering at home.” Tony Hisgett / Flickr

Second D.C. Police Officer Tests Positive For COVID-19

March 23, 7:03 p.m.: A second D.C. police officer has tested positive for the coronavirus, Chief of Police Peter Newsham confirmed in a statement on Monday.

The officer “has been quarantined and is now resting and recovering at home,” Newsham wrote. People who came into contact with them will be notified, the statement said.

Newsham told reporters last week that around 70 D.C. police officers had self-quarantined out of concern over contact with the coronavirus. —Jenny Gathright

Metro has closed access to the Vienna and Dunn Loring stations on the Orange Line after it received a report of a sick employee. Friscocali / Flickr

Orange Line Stations Close Over Sick Employee

March 23, 7:03 p.m.: Two Metro stations were shut down over concerns about the coronavirus.

A Metro spokesperson told the Washington Post that officials received a report of a sick employee at Vienna Station around 1 p.m. on Monday, and decided to close both Vienna Station and the Dunn Loring Station on the Orange Line as a result.

The spokesperson told the Post that these actions were in accordance with “COVID-19 safety precautions.” Metro did not immediately respond to a request for further comment. —Jenny Gathright

The economic downturn has more residents looking to local non-profits and food pantries for assistance. Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Local Charities Put Out Urgent Call For Help

March 23, 6:17 p.m.: Area food pantries and other non-profits are asking for in-kind donations and volunteers to meet growing demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Catholic Charities in D.C., Montgomery County and Southern Maryland have an “urgent need” for shelf-stable, non-perishable items to distribute to an increasing number of clients who suddenly find themselves without income.

It is also putting out a call for personal hygiene items — including hand sanitizer and soap — to help clients prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

At Martha’s Table in the District, families of 150 children who can no longer attend its daycare center are receiving $750 per week per child from the non-profit to offset the financial impact of the pandemic.

So far, its food distribution network is well supplied, according to Whitney Faison, the non-profit’s assistant director of communications. But financial donations are needed, as are purchases from the wishlist posted on its website, she told WAMU.

Martha’s Table has added additional distribution sites to its usual three to meet rising demand, Faison said, and needs more healthy volunteers to staff them. —Lauren Markoe

No boarding from the front unless you are in a wheelchair under the new restrictions. Fairfax County

Fairfax Connector Buses Goes Rear-Boarding, Free Rides

March 23, 5:15 p.m.: Fairfax Connector bus officials are asking riders to board and exit buses through the rear door starting Tuesday.

The measure aims to socially-distance riders and drivers, but it also means fares will be free as the equipment is at the front of the bus.

Those that need to use the wheelchair ramp at the front of the bus may still do so, the statement said.

The Connector bus is one of the few local bus systems that has not cut service as ridership declines with people staying home. Metro has been telling people not to ride the system unless it’s for essential travel. WMATA also said it could shut down all bus service if they continue to be too crowded.

Fairfax County officials remind riders not to take the bus if they are feeling ill and to stay six feet away from others on the bus if possible. —Jordan Pascale

Some local park facilities are shuttered while others remain open with some restrictions. Make sure to check with your local jurisdiction and pay attention to posted notices. Jacob Fenston / WAMU

More Park Facilities Close Around The Region

March 23, 5:10 p.m.: Local parks and recreational facilities around the region are being closed until further notice as part of an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Arlington County announced Monday that all fields, playgrounds, restrooms, tracks, dog parks and athletic courts are closed. Trails and community gardens remain open, but officials are asking people to “please exercise and garden alone.”

In neighboring Fairfax County, the park authority has ordered all playgrounds, skate parks and restrooms closed until further notice, along with all indoor facilities. Open-air parks and trails remain open.

Other jurisdictions made similar announcements in the last week. D.C. closed most park facilities over the weekend. So too did Alexandria — citing restrictions on the size of gatherings and an inability to keep equipment disinfected. In Maryland, both Montgomery County and Prince George’s County are limiting the size of gatherings to 10 people, but have so far restricted closures to indoor facilities. –Chris Chester

Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered all Virginia schools to close until the end of the academic year. Clemens v. Vogelsang / Flickr

Virginia Schools Closed For Rest Of Academic Year, Restaurants Must Close Dining Rooms

March 23, 2:45 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered restaurants to close their dining rooms, shuttered recreational businesses and announced schools would be closed until the end of the academic year in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus.

He spoke as the Virginia Department of Health said on Monday there were 254 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, including six deaths. Fairfax County has the most cases in the state.

“These numbers will, unfortunately, continue to rise,” Northam said. “We are in this for months, not weeks.”

Starting at midnight Tuesday, Northam said all restaurants can remain open for carryout, curbside pickup, and delivery only. Grocery stores, banks and pharmacies can remain open, but should adhere to social distancing and sanitizing directives.

He called on local communities, private daycare providers and public schools to help care for the school-aged children of essential personnel working in health, groceries and other vital sectors.

“We must rally together to fill this pressing need across the Commonwealth,” Northam said.

Virginia is the second state in the country to close campuses until the end of the academic year to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Nearly 3,700 people in Virginia have been tested for the coronavirus between private and state labs.

Northam acknowledged the economic impact on the state would be severe, noting that about 40,000 people filed for unemployment last week.

“We are moving into a period of sacrifice,” Northam said.

Northam directed residents who need assistance to text FOOD or COMIDA to 877877 to learn more about neighboring feeding sites.

Northam did not announce “shelter in place” rules, but he banned gatherings of more than 10 people and said he expected people to observe the rules. –Daniella Cheslow and Debbie Truong

D.C. Mayor Bowser is telling District residents to leave their homes only for essential reasons. Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo

D.C. And Maryland Stop Short Of ‘Shelter-In-Place’ Orders

March 12, 12:04 p.m.: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday ordered all non-essential businesses to close by 5 p.m., while D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser urged people to remain home as much as possible and said police would be empowered to disperse any large groups of people — including people playing pickup basketball or soccer games.

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But neither leader took the step of issuing more restrictive shelter-in-place orders like those that have been imposed in states like California, New York, and Illinois.

“Let me be clear: We are not issuing or ordering a shelter-in-place directive or forcing people to stay home,” said Hogan. “However we are telling all Marylanders to follow all of the directives we’ve already issued and to follow state law against crowds of more than 10 people and we are telling you unless you have an essential reason to leave your house, then you should stay in your homes.”

“What we know is that we have basically closed down the District, so the gathering places have been shut down,” said Bowser. “What a shelter in place says is you can never leave the house. What we are telling people is to only leave your house for essential activities.”

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, meanwhile, is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Monday. –Martin Austermuhle

A view south over Florida Avenue and the U Street area from Cardozo High School in Northwest, D.C. Becky Harlan / for WAMU

D.C. Attorney General Calls For ‘Shelter-In-Place’ Order

March 23, 7:52 a.m.: D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine has asked the District’s leaders to issue a “shelter-in-place” order.

Racine tweeted the order of a Dallas County judge in Texas who ordered residents to stay in their homes except for “essential activities,” adding “We need to order the same in the District of Columbia to reduce the spread of #coronavirus and keep residents safe.” The judge’s order also prohibits gatherings beyond a single household.

A similar shelter in place order is expected to be announced by officials in the Washington region. Such an order likely would mean businesses deemed “non-essential”, such as restaurants, hair salons and retail shops would be closed. Gas stations, pharmacies and grocery stores are generally considered “essential businesses.”

Residents in states with shelter-in-place orders are generally allowed to go to work, grocery shop, walk the dog, go out for a run or bike ride, or get medical care. –Kavitha Cardoza

For more on how coronavirus has impacted the D.C. region, see these updates from the week of March 16-22.

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