More than a dozen COVID-19 cases have been reported at a residential construction site in Navy Yard, and it’s not the only site with concerns. Fears over the virus spreading further at the renovation of a congressional office building could lead to a shorter workweek at the site to prevent the spread of the virus.

There have been between 14 and 18 positive COVID cases among construction workers at D.C. Crossing, an 818-unit residential building under construction in Navy Yard, a source tells DCist. (The source asked for anonymity to protect workers at the site who shared information.) A spokesperson for the Maryland-based Clark Construction Group, which is helming the project, confirmed that there had been positive cases in mid-April, but the infected workers had not been at the worksite since. The spokesperson did not confirm how many positive cases there had been.

“In each instance, Clark quickly performed contact tracing to identify areas of the project and workers that may have been impacted. We have kept the subcontractors and the developer informed of each confirmed case. We have worked with leadership from our subcontracting partners to ensure that workers who may have had contact with the affected individuals have taken appropriate measures in accordance with guidance provided by the CDC, including self-quarantining,” the spokesperson said.

“Through our thorough contact tracing and investigation, we have not been able to confirm where the individuals contracted COVID-19,” they added.

The D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs says it conducted an inspection of the site this week, and found that Clark was following city guidelines for construction—which is considered an essential business during the pandemic.

Over at the Cannon House Office Building, where Clark Construction is conducting an extensive renovation of the 120-year-old building, the possibility of two new positive cases has forced the contractor to close the site from Thursday through Sunday.

“These changes are only effective for this week, however, we may elect to continue with a 4-day schedule next week if additional cases are reported,” said a Clark Construction project manager in an email obtained by DCist.

At least 11 workers at the Cannon House Office Building project have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, as DCist reported last week.

While local and federal guidelines classify construction as an “essential” activity that can continue during D.C.’s state of emergency, other jurisdictions have taken steps to limit it. In New York and New Jersey, only work on hospitals, infrastructure and affordable housing has been allowed to continue. Residential construction was also stopped in Michigan and Pennsylvania, though will be allowed to restart as of next week.

Representatives from unions representing construction workers say they have seen an increase in COVID cases among their members, but are torn between competing needs: their health and a steady paycheck.

“It’s fair to say we support keeping construction classified as essential,” says Dennis Desmond, the business manager at LiUNA! Local 11, a commercial construction workers’ union that has roughly 3,000 members in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia — 40 of whom have quarantined and eight of whom have tested positive.

“At the same time we are concerned about our members. Even one getting sick is a tragedy,” Desmond says. “We’ve been doing what we can to get supplies out to our members. We have distributed 800 spray bottles of hand sanitizer. And the members themselves are very concerned. They need the paycheck because most of our members are immigrants and they may have a spouse that lost a job. But it’s a bit of a conundrum, because they are essential but they are very concerned about their health and that of their families.”

Previously:
11 Construction Workers Renovating Congressional Office Building Test Positive For COVID-19
Working From Home Isn’t An Option For Construction Workers, Deemed ‘Essential’ Under D.C.-Area Orders