D.C. is closing up all of its COVID centers by the end of the month

The centers were first established in January 2022 to provide greater public access to vaccines, boosters, testing, and masks. There’s currently a center in every ward.

But all the centers will be closing at the end of March, per an announcement today from DC Health. The last day for operations is set for Friday, March 31.

“The decision to close the COVID Centers comes after the District has experienced a significant drop in COVID-19 cases, high vaccination uptake, and an increase in the availability of vaccines and testing kits for at-home use,” reads the announcement. “Similar actions are being taken at the federal level and by other jurisdictions around the nation.”

The current level of COVID community spread is low, per city data from last week.

More than one million masks, 400,000 rapid tests, 80,000 COVID and flu vaccine doses, and nearly 40,000 PCR tests have been distributed from the COVID centers, DC Health said.

The centers will continue to operate for the next several weeks. Most are open at least eight hours a day, six days a week.

After March 31, the city is directing residents to go to local retailers and pharmacies for vaccines and tests as well as federal government-run websites for more information.

Earlier this week, the city also ended its free distribution of COVID tests at the city’s public libraries and senior centers.