Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{short description|Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in Washington, D.C., United States}}
{{lead too short|date=October 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox pandemic
| name               = COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
| width              = 
| image              = National Gallery of Art (49656625722).jpg
| image_size         = 
| image_upright      = 
| alt                = 
| caption            = Visitors wearing masks in the [[National Gallery of Art]], the day before it closed as a precaution against COVID-19
| map1               = 
| legend1            = 
| disease            = [[COVID-19]]
| virus_strain       = [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2|SARS-CoV-2]]
| location           = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| first_case         = [[Georgetown (Washington, D.C.)|Georgetown]]
| arrival_date       = March 7, 2020
| origin             = 
| confirmed_cases    = 55,918
| suspected_cases    = 
| severe_cases       = 
| ventilator_cases   = 
| recovery_cases     = 34,985
| deaths             = 1,162
| territories        = 
| total_ili          = 
| website            = {{URL|https://coronavirus.dc.gov/}}
| hospitalized_cases = 
}}

The first cases relating to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], were reported on March 7, 2020.<ref name="dcgovdata">{{cite web |title=Coronavirus Data |url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/coronavirus-data |website=DC.Gov |publisher=Government of the District of Columbia |access-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323134324/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/coronavirus-data |archive-date=23 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city has enacted a variety of public health measures in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, including limiting business activities, suspending non-essential work, and closing down schools.

{{as of|2021|12|20|df=US}}, the District of Columbia has administered 1,229,170 COVID-19 vaccine doses and 85% of the population has received at least one shot while 67% were fully vaccinated.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 December 2021|title=Vaccination Data|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/data/vaccination|url-status=live|access-date=25 December 2021|website=[[Government of the District of Columbia]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104151236/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/data/vaccination |archive-date=January 4, 2021 }}</ref>
{{toclimit|3}}

==Preparations==
{{stack|clear=right|{{COVID-19 pandemic data/United States/Washington, D.C. medical cases chart}}}}

Mayor [[Muriel Bowser]] signed an executive order on February 28, 2020, that began to prepare Washington, D.C., for coronavirus impacts. The executive order stated that the District's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) would be activated on March 2, 2020, to begin to "coordinate inter-agency information sharing and identify logistical needs for critical incident responses." It was also announced that the Washington, D.C., Department of Health and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency would be responsible for the response planning for COVID-19. On March 2, the D.C. Emergency Operations Center was activated at an Enhanced Watch status, per the executive order.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayors-order-district-government-preparations-coronavirus|title=Mayor's Order: District Government Preparations for the Coronavirus {{!}} coronavirus|website=coronavirus.dc.gov|access-date=2020-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329193351/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayors-order-district-government-preparations-coronavirus|archive-date=2020-03-29|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 3, Mayor Bowser, D.C. Department of Health and the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency held a public briefing on the coronavirus and the District's monitoring, preparation, and response.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-hold-briefing-district%E2%80%99s-coronavirus-monitoring-preparation-and-response|title=Mayor Bowser to Hold Briefing on the District's Coronavirus Monitoring, Preparation, and Response {{!}} coronavirus|website=coronavirus.dc.gov|access-date=2020-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308004155/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-hold-briefing-district%E2%80%99s-coronavirus-monitoring-preparation-and-response|archive-date=2020-03-08|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Timeline of outbreak==
{{update|section|date=May 2020}}

===March 2020===

====March 5–7====
On March 7, the first two cases of COVID-19 in Washington, D.C., were confirmed. The first case was a [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|rector]] at [[Christ Church (Georgetown, Washington, D.C.)|Christ Church Georgetown]] who had not traveled outside the United States recently or had close contact with another confirmed infected coronavirus patient. He had attended the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes conference in [[Louisville, Kentucky]] from February 19–22, then traveled back to Washington, by which time he became sick with what he thought was the flu.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Graf|first=Heather|date=2020-03-20|title=Father Tim Cole of Christ Church Georgetown, D.C.'s first COVID-19 case, shares his story|work=WJLA|url=https://wjla.com/news/local/reverend-at-christ-church-georgetown-dcs-first-covid-19-case-shares-his-story|access-date=2020-05-09}}</ref> He then participated in church services on February 23 and March 1. The rector's condition deteriorated to the point of hospitalization, and after it was confirmed the rector contracted the virus, the church canceled services indefinitely.

The second case was a Nigerian national who traveled from Nigeria to D.C. and went to a hospital in [[Maryland]] for treatment. Although the second man was being treated at a Maryland hospital, he was counted as the District's second case by the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC).<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgetown Church Rector, Traveler Diagnosed as DC's First 2 Coronavirus Cases |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-has-first-presumptive-coronavirus-case/2234068/ |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=NBC4 Washington |date=7 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316154326/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-has-first-presumptive-coronavirus-case/2234068/ |archive-date=16 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|user=MayorBowser|number=1236422174958895104|title=Late this afternoon, testing at the Public Health Lab at the DC Department of Forensic Sciences yielded its first presumptive positive coronavirus (COVID-19) case. Join me live at 7:30 p.m. for a briefing at the John A. Wilson Building.|date=7 March 2020}}</ref>

====March 8–10====
On March 9, [[School Without Walls (Washington, D.C.)|School Without Walls]], a public school in [[Foggy Bottom]], was closed by [[District of Columbia Public Schools]] (DCPS) for a full-day deep cleaning and disinfecting by a third-party contractor after an employee was exposed to COVID-19 the week before. The employee tested negative and entered a two-week quarantine. DCPS chancellor Lewis Ferebee announced the closing over Twitter the previous day.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=dcpublicschools|number=1236819215920832513|date=8 Mar 2020|title=Tomorrow – 3/9 – School Without Walls High School will be closed. DCPS is conducting a deep cleaning and disinfecting of the building following an employee being exposed to COVID-19. Test results were negative, and there is no immediate risk to students and staff. cc: @SWWHSA}}</ref>

Three more coronavirus cases in D.C. were confirmed the night of March 9, including an attendee of Christ Church Georgetown. D.C. officials recommended a two-week self-quarantine per CDC guidelines for anyone who attended Christ Church on February 24 or between February 28 and March 3. At that time, $1.5 million had been allocated to the pandemic response by the D.C. government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gelman |first1=Scott |last2=Alvarez |first2=Alejandro |title=16 coronavirus cases confirmed in DC, Md. and Va. |url=https://wtop.com/local/2020/03/bowser-hogan-to-deliver-update-on-coronavirus-as-dc-area-officials-investigate-9-cases/ |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=WTOP |date=9 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313023822/https://wtop.com/local/2020/03/bowser-hogan-to-deliver-update-on-coronavirus-as-dc-area-officials-investigate-9-cases/ |archive-date=13 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 10, [[George Washington University]] announced classes will be moved online after spring break, starting on March 23 and continuing until at least April 5. In addition, all residential students were expected to no longer be living on campus beginning March 21. It was stated that an opening date would not be announced until the end of the instructional continuity period when a decision for the rest of the semester would be made.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/george-washington-university-moving-to-online-classes-after-spring-break|title=George Washington University moving to online classes after spring break|date=2020-03-10|website=Fox 5 DC|language=en|access-date=2020-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311103004/https://www.fox5dc.com/news/george-washington-university-moving-to-online-classes-after-spring-break|archive-date=2020-03-11|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.georgetown.edu/coronavirus/|title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312130006/https://www.georgetown.edu/coronavirus/|archive-date=March 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also on March 10, [[Georgetown Day School]], a private school, closed indefinitely and began a deep clean citing concerns about community members affiliated with [[Christ Church (Georgetown, Washington, D.C.)|Christ Church Georgetown]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Volou |first1=Khalida |title=DC school closed due to coronavirus exposure linked to Christ Church Georgetown |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/georgetown-day-school-closed-tuesday-due-to-coronavirus/65-e374b3e9-a496-42ed-9043-d4bd0b9c45c9 |agency=WUSA9 |date=10 March 2020 |access-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311195837/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/georgetown-day-school-closed-tuesday-due-to-coronavirus/65-e374b3e9-a496-42ed-9043-d4bd0b9c45c9 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====March 11–14====
On March 11, [[Maria Cantwell]], a U.S. senator from Washington state, closed her D.C. office due to one of her aides testing positive for the virus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article241118946.html|title=Aide to Maria Cantwell tests positive for coronavirus. Senator closes her D.C. office|last=Lightman|first=David|website=thenewstribune|language=en|access-date=2020-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313030257/https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article241118946.html|archive-date=2020-03-13|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Georgetown University]] announced that it would be moving to virtual learning entirely beginning on March 16, and while campus would remain open and key services would remain accessible the university strongly suggested that students return to their homes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Saliqa |title=Georgetown University moves to virtual learning amid coronavirus concerns |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/georgetown-university-moves-to-virtual-learning-amid-coronavirus-concerns/65-60c60f1b-9838-4090-80e9-dffa49d92737 |work=WUSA9 |access-date=18 March 2020 |date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318192012/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/georgetown-university-moves-to-virtual-learning-amid-coronavirus-concerns/65-60c60f1b-9838-4090-80e9-dffa49d92737 |archive-date=18 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 12, the [[United States Capitol]], the [[White House]], and the [[United States Supreme Court Building]] closed to most of the public until April after several offices closed and multiple lawmakers went into precautionary quarantines.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zengerle |first1=Patricia |last2=Heavey |first2=Susan |title=UPDATE 5-U.S. federal buildings put away the welcome mat as coronavirus hits |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-capitol/update-5-us-federal-buildings-put-away-the-welcome-mat-as-coronavirus-hits-idUSL1N2B50S4 |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=Reuters |date=12 March 2020}}</ref>

On March 13, [[District of Columbia Public Schools|DCPS]] announced that they will cancel classes until April 1, implementing online distance learning.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=dcpublicschools|number=1238430012417748993|date=13 March 2020|title=DCPS will modify operations from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31 to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region. For more info about the closure schedule, meal locations for students & distance learning details, please visit: https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus}}</ref> Also on March 13, the [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] (WMATA) escalated its operations to level 3 of its pandemic flu plan, announcing that service on the [[Washington Metro]] would be reduced to one train every 12 minutes from Monday to Saturday and one train every 15 minutes on Sunday beginning on March 17. In addition, [[Metrobus (Washington, D.C.)|Metrobus]] service would change to a Saturday supplemental schedule on weekdays beginning on March 17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/COVID-19.cfm#main-content|title=Metro takes additional steps, coordinates with public health authorities on COVID-19 {{!}} WMATA|website=wmata.com|access-date=2020-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314155101/https://wmata.com/service/status/details/COVID-19.cfm#main-content|archive-date=2020-03-14|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2020/03/13/metro-reduces-transit-service-response-coronavirus/|title=Metro to reduce transit service in response to the coronavirus outbreak|last=George|first=Justin|date=13 March 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314134151/https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2020/03/13/metro-reduces-transit-service-response-coronavirus/|archive-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>

Mayor [[Muriel Bowser]] held a press conference, announcing that gatherings of people over 60 years of age or with preexisting health issues would be limited to 10 people. The restriction would not apply to residences, schools, or places of work. For populations not at-risk the government promoted [[social distancing]] measures to limit the spread of the virus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vitka |first1=Will |last2=Bonk |first2=Valerie |title=Trump declares national emergency; DC bans mass gatherings |url=https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-dc-area/ |work=WTOP |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314183154/https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-dc-area/ |archive-date=14 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 14, Mayor Bowser issued a statement confirming 6 more positive cases in Washington, D.C., bringing the total number of cases up to 16.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/coronavirus-data-update-march-14|title=Coronavirus Data Update: March 14 {{!}} coronavirus|website=coronavirus.dc.gov|access-date=2020-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316100728/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/coronavirus-data-update-march-14|archive-date=2020-03-16|url-status=live}}</ref>

====March 15–16====
On March 15, Bowser's office announced one more positive case in Washington D.C., bringing the total cumulative number of cases to 17. The patient in this case is a 38-year-old woman who came into contact with another case.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/coronavirus-data-update-march-15|title=Coronavirus Data Update: March 15|work=Government of the District of Columbia|access-date=2020-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324170918/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/coronavirus-data-update-march-15|archive-date=2020-03-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Hill Restaurant Group (HRG) said on March 16 they would comply with restrictions on bars and restaurants ordered by Mayor Bowser on March 15. Tom Johnson, the managing director of the group, had earlier said he would ignore the order, saying it would force his company into bankruptcy.<ref>[https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/487826-dc-restaurant-group-says-it-will-comply-with-restrictions-after-mayor DC restaurant group says it will comply with restrictions after mayor's warning] The Hill, 16 Mar 2020</ref>

On the evening of March 16, Mayor Bowser's office released an update that confirmed five more positive cases of coronavirus in the District. The patients involved were a 23-year-old man, a 42-year-old woman with a history of travel to Europe, a 54-year-old woman, a 54-year-old man, and a 56-year-old man. These five cases brought the cumulative number of cases in D.C. to 22.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/coronavirus-data-update-march-16|title=Coronavirus Data Update: March 16 {{!}} coronavirus|website=coronavirus.dc.gov|access-date=2020-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317204518/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/coronavirus-data-update-march-16|archive-date=2020-03-17|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== March 17–18 ====
Late on March 17, Mayor Bowser's office announced the confirmation of nine more positive cases in the District, bringing the total number of positive cases to 31. The patients were all male and between the ages of 23 and 61. The 23-year-old patient was confirmed to have attended the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) in [[National Harbor, Maryland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/coronavirus-data-update-march-17|title=Coronavirus Data Update: March 17 {{!}} coronavirus|website=coronavirus.dc.gov|access-date=2020-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319072119/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/coronavirus-data-update-march-17|archive-date=2020-03-19|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 18, at least 8 more cases were found, including a [[District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department|DC FEMS]] employee (leading to a quarantine of 73 firefighters), a [[U.S. marshal]] at the [[Superior Court of the District of Columbia]], and an undergraduate student at the George Washington University who lives off-campus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Jack |title=Coronavirus: Jump in new cases around region; DC first responder, US Marshal test positive |url=https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-updates-dc-maryland-virginia/ |work=WTOP |date=18 March 2020 |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319002447/https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-updates-dc-maryland-virginia/ |archive-date=19 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia]] announced new [[social distancing]] precautions in dealing with callers reporting flu-like symptoms as well as changes to police protocol for citations and warning notices in light of the restriction of certain services in the D.C. government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metropolitan Police Department Operational Adjustments During COVID-19 |url=https://mpdc.dc.gov/release/metropolitan-police-department-operational-adjustments-during-covid-19 |website=Metropolitan Police Department |publisher=DC.Gov |date=18 March 2020 |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319002500/https://mpdc.dc.gov/release/metropolitan-police-department-operational-adjustments-during-covid-19 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== March 19–20 ====
As of March 19, the number of confirmed cases sharply jumped to 71 as the supply of tests was expanded, an increase of 32 over one day.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1240791217647976448|user=MayorBowser|title=As of 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, the District's coronavirus (COVID-19) data includes 32 new positive cases, bringing the District's overall positive case total to 71 individuals. For more information visit:|date=19 March 2020}}</ref> This includes two more DC FEMS members and an eight-year-old.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Massimo |first1=Rick |title=Coronavirus: As more tests become available, DC sees jump in coronavirus cases |url=https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-all-md-malls-entertainment-venues-to-close-at-5-p-m-thursday/ |work=WTOP |date=19 March 2020 |access-date=20 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320014753/https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-all-md-malls-entertainment-venues-to-close-at-5-p-m-thursday/ |archive-date=20 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The same day, [[Washington Metro]] closed the [[Smithsonian station|Smithsonian]] and [[Arlington Cemetery station|Arlington Cemetery]] stations until further notice. Metro ridership reduced by 85% due to the pandemic, leading to general manager [[Paul Wiedefeld]] submitting a request to Congress for emergency funding.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Augenstein |first1=Neal |title=Coronavirus: Metro asks Congress for emergency funding after ridership drops 85% |url=https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-metro-asks-congress-for-emergency-funding-after-ridership-drops-85/ |work=WTOP |date=19 March 2020 |access-date=20 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320014754/https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-metro-asks-congress-for-emergency-funding-after-ridership-drops-85/ |archive-date=20 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 20, Mayor Bowser announced the first death related to COVID-19 in the District, a 59-year-old male, Deacon Brother John-Sebastian Laird-Hammond, [[Order of Friars Minor|OFM]], a [[Franciscan]] [[friar]] and [[permanent deacon]], a native of [[Minonk, Illinois]], with underlying medical conditions, specifically a multi-year battle with a type of [[leukemia]] who had been undergoing cancer treatments and was therefore more vulnerable to the virus.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/a-franciscan-friar-is-dcs-first-known-coronavirus-fatality-32938 | title=A Franciscan friar and deacon is DC's first known coronavirus fatality | access-date=2020-03-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329041046/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/a-franciscan-friar-is-dcs-first-known-coronavirus-fatality-32938 | archive-date=2020-03-29 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bowser tweet first death">{{cite tweet|last=Bowser |first=Muriel |author-link=Muriel Bowser |user=MayorBowser |number=1241051533631946752 |date=2020-03-20 |title=It is with great sadness that we announce a tragic death and, on behalf of our residents, I share our love and condolences with the patient's family and friends. |access-date=2020-03-20}}</ref> The number of cases rose to 77.<ref name="dcgovdata"/>

DCPS extended the school shutdown to April 24, meaning classes would be scheduled to resume on Monday, April 27. In preparation for the beginning of distance learning on March 24, the DCPS Distance Learning platform was released, publicly accessible at {{URL|https://dcps.instructure.com/courses/179580}}. Certain schools would continue to provide lunch on weekdays.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=dcpublicschools|number=1241081893656956931|title=🚨UPDATE🚨 DCPS will be closed to all staff and students through Friday, April 24 to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region. Classes will resume for all students on Monday, April 27. For more info please visit: http://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus.|date=20 March 2020}}</ref>

==== March 21–22 ====
On March 21, the D.C. government, operating through the Metropolitan Police Department and the [[National Park Service]] announced several road closures around beginning on March 22, 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, in an effort to reduce congregation of tourists around monuments during the [[National Cherry Blossom Festival]]. These crowds had not been conforming to social distancing guidelines and thus presented a possible vector for the transmission of coronavirus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corse |first1=Alexa |title=Washington, D.C., Closes Streets to Prevent Coronavirus Transmission |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/washington-d-c-closes-streets-to-prevent-coronavirus-transmission-11584850717 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=22 March 2020 |access-date=22 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322213549/https://www.wsj.com/articles/washington-d-c-closes-streets-to-prevent-coronavirus-transmission-11584850717 |archive-date=22 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Street Closures |url=https://mpdc.dc.gov/release/traffic-advisory-street-closures?mod=article_inline |website=Metropolitan Police Department |publisher=DC.Gov |date=21 March 2020 |access-date=22 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322213607/https://mpdc.dc.gov/release/traffic-advisory-street-closures?mod=article_inline |archive-date=22 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation|DC Department of Parks and Recreation]] closed all of its facilities including parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Only dog parks remained open.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1241457230349811712|user=DCDPR|title=!!ALERT – All DPR facilities including Playgrounds + Gated Parks and Athletic Fields are CLOSED. Dog parks remain open. Stay informed http://coronavirus.dc.gov.|date=21 March 2020}}</ref>

The same day, [[Metrobus (Washington, D.C.)|Metrobus]] announced reduced operation from 325 routes to only 20 high-use corridors. Real-time bus data would no longer be available and drivers may bypass stops in order to observe social distancing guidelines on buses. [[WMATA]] said it hoped to restore some routes with limited operation hours soon.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Delaney |first1=Matthew |title=Coronavirus: 2nd death in DC; cases surge throughout region with more testing |url=https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-positive-cases-continue-to-surge-transit-changes-enforce-social-distancing/ |work=WTOP |date=22 March 2020 |access-date=22 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322235143/https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-positive-cases-continue-to-surge-transit-changes-enforce-social-distancing/ |archive-date=22 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Real-time bus data would be restored on June 28, 2020.

The number of cases as of 7:30 PM that day was 98.<ref name="dcgovdata"/>

On March 22, the second death due to COVID-19 was reported in the District, a 65-year-old woman with underlying medical conditions.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=MayorBowser|number=1241783602830020615|title=1/ I am saddened to announce a second death related to COVID-19 in our community. The hearts and prayers of our entire city are with her family and loved ones.|date=22 March 2020}}</ref>

The number of cases as of 7:00 PM that day was 116.<ref name="dcgovdata"/>

==== March 23–24 ====
On March 23, Mayor Bowser and Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt announced that the 2019 tax filing deadlines would be pushed to July 15, instead of the upcoming April 15.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor Bowser and Chief Financial Officer DeWitt Announce 2019 Tax Filings and Payment Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020 |url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-chief-financial-officer-dewitt-announce-2019-tax-filings-and-payment |website=coronavirus.dc.gov |publisher=DC.Gov |date=23 March 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323215938/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-chief-financial-officer-dewitt-announce-2019-tax-filings-and-payment |archive-date=23 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Mayor also urged D.C. residents to remain at home except for "essential activities," clarifying that she would not be issuing a [[shelter-in-place order]] as of now.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Katz |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Austermuhle |first2=Martin |last3=Pascale |first3=Jordan |last4=Chamberlin |first4=Victoria |title=UPDATED: D.C.-Area Residents Are Being Asked To Stay In Their Homes If They Can. How Is That Going To Work? |url=https://wamu.org/story/20/03/22/what-happens-if-d-c-declares-a-shelter-in-place-your-questions-answered/ |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=WAMU |date=22 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323234638/https://wamu.org/story/20/03/22/what-happens-if-d-c-declares-a-shelter-in-place-your-questions-answered/ |archive-date=23 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On that day, Mayor Bowser also commissioned Republic Restoratives Distillery and [[Compass Coffee]], two locally owned companies, for the production of {{convert|2000|gal}} of [[hand sanitizer]] ({{convert|1000|gal}} each) for use by D.C. government workers and emergency responders.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1242193836014796806|user=MayorBowser|title=1/ DC Government has commissioned 2,000 gallons of hand sanitizer from @RepublicRestore and @CompassCoffeeDC (1,000 each) as part of our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).|date=23 March 2020}}</ref>

As of 7:00 PM that day, the number of cases was 137.<ref name="dcgovdata"/>

====March 25====
On March 25, the third death in Washington, D.C., was a 75-year-old female with underlying health conditions.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1242969615283740673|user=mayorbowser|date=25 March 2020|title=There's a third death in DC due to coronavirus (COVID-19). The patient, a 75-year-old female, was admitted to a hospital with underlying health conditions and passed away on March 25. She tested positive for COVID-19 and was included among the District's reporting data.}}</ref>

====March 30====
On March 30, Mayor Bowser announced a [[stay-at-home order]] that would go into effect on April 1. The order stated that residents may only leave their residences to engage in essential activities, including obtaining medical care that cannot be provided through telehealth and obtaining food and essential household goods, to perform or access essential governmental functions, to work at essential businesses, to engage in essential travel and to engage in specific recreational activities that the order defined.<ref name="stay at home">(1) {{cite web|url=https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-issues-stay-home-order|title=Mayor Bowser Issues Stay-At-Home Order|work=News Release|date=March 30, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020}}<br>(2) {{cite web|last=Bowser|first=Muriel, Mayor|url=https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/coronavirus/release_content/attachments/Mayor%27s%20Order%202020-054%20Stay%20at%20Home.pdf|title=Mayor's Order 2020-054: Stay At Home Order|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:President Trump Visits with the President of Poland (50044008817).jpg|thumb|Polish President [[Andrzej Duda]] was the first foreign leader to travel to the [[White House]] since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump, Poland's Duda discuss sending some U.S. troops to Poland from Germany |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-poland/trump-polands-duda-discuss-sending-some-u-s-troops-to-poland-from-germany-idUSKBN23V2PP |work=Reuters |date=June 24, 2020}}</ref>]]
Anyone found to be violating the order would be charged with a [[misdemeanor]] and subject to a $5,000 fine and/or 90 days in prison. Bowser said, "Staying at home is the best way to flatten the curve and protect yourself, your family, and our entire community from COVID-19."<ref name=Franklin>{{cite news |last1=Franklin |first1=Jonathan |title=DC issues Stay-At-Home order: Here's what you can leave your house for |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/dc-stay-at-home-order-why-and-what-you-can-leave-your-house-for/65-7f0f0bf1-1cb6-4921-a4a5-bbf7ddbaa88b |work=[[WUSA (TV)|WUSA9]]|date=30 March 2020|access-date=March 30, 2020}}</ref>

On the same day, [[Maryland]]'s Governor [[Larry Hogan]] and [[Virginia]]'s Governor [[Ralph Northam]] issued similar stay-at-home orders (see [[COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland]] and [[COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia|in Virginia]]). However, the penalties for violating those orders were different from those in the District.<ref name="Post March 30">{{cite news |first1=Antonio|last1=Olivo|first2=Ovetta|last2=Wiggins|first3=Gregory S.|last3=Schneider|date=March 30, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/hogan-northam-coronavirus-stay-home-orders/2020/03/30/5f36e146-722f-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html|title=Hogan, Northam, Bowser order residents in Maryland, Virginia, D.C. to stay at home|issue=Local|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref>

===April 2020===
On April 6, Bowser announced a government-wide hiring and pay freeze to ensure the District's funds are conserved.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Massimo |first1=Rick |last2=Moore |first2=Jack |last3=Constantino |first3=Abigail |title=Coronavirus update: As area cases top 8,000, DC to take more emergency action |url=https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/04/coronavirus-update-dc-maryland-virginia-april-6/ |work=WTOP |date=7 April 2020}}</ref>

On April 17, DC Public Schools announced that they would remain closed for the rest of the 2019–2020 school year, with a shortened schedule ending the school year on May 29.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Recker |first1=Jane |title=DC Public Schools Are Closed for the Rest of the School Year |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/04/17/dc-public-schools-are-closed-for-the-rest-of-the-year/ |website=Washingtonian |access-date=8 October 2020 |date=17 April 2020}}</ref>

===June 2020===
[[File:Georgetown shops boarded up.jpg|thumb|Storefronts boarded up in Georgetown in June in response to the [[George Floyd protests]]]]
During the month of June, D.C. experienced widespread protests relating to the [[murder of George Floyd]]. While numbers of protesters were in the thousands, almost all were wearing masks<ref>{{cite web |title=DC Mayor: We Have to Be Concerned About Virus Rebound |url=https://www.voanews.com/usa/dc-mayor-we-have-be-concerned-about-virus-rebound |website=Voice of America |access-date=8 October 2020 |date=31 May 2020 |quote=Many of the protesters were wearing masks, but there were no attempts at social distancing.}}</ref> and there was not an appreciable spike in cases that could be traced to the protests.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Segraves |first1=Mark |last2=Swalec |first2=Andrea |title=DC Protests Not Linked to New Coronavirus Cases, Officials Say |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-saw-temporary-increase-in-coronavirus-spread-in-late-june/2353142/ |website=NBC 4 |access-date=8 October 2020 |date=6 July 2020}}</ref>

On June 2, during some of the most intense demonstrations, some protesters were arrested and charged with "wearing a hood-mask" in addition to curfew violations, even though masks were mandatory at the time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Montgomery |first1=Blake |title=D.C. Police Charged Demonstrators With Wearing Masks Even Though Coronavirus Guidelines Require Them |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/dc-police-charged-demonstrators-with-wearing-masks-even-though-coronavirus-guidelines-require-them |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=8 October 2020 |date=2 June 2020}}</ref>

On June 22, with the move to phase 2 of the reopening plan, indoor dining was permitted to begin at 50% capacity, although bar sitting was to remain closed. Gyms were also allowed to reopen, with 5 people per {{convert|1000|sqft|sqm}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hiatt |first1=Gabe |title=D.C. Restaurants Begin Indoor Seating for the First Time in Three Months |url=https://dc.eater.com/2020/6/22/21298816/dc-restaurants-begin-indoor-seating-phase-2-reopening-monday-coronavirus-covid-19 |website=Eater Washington DC |access-date=8 October 2020 |date=22 June 2020}}</ref>

===July 2020===
On July 22, Washington, D.C., imposed new mask requirements.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Julie Zauzmer|author2=Ovetta Wiggins|author3=Dana Hedgpeth|author4=Rachel Chason|date=2020-07-22|title=D.C. expands face mask requirements as city records more than 100 new cases|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-maryland-virginia-dc/2020/07/22/1055de24-cc25-11ea-bc6a-6841b28d9093_story.html?itid=lk_interstitial_manual_43|access-date=2020-07-28|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> On July 27, self-quarantine restrictions were placed on non-essential travelers arriving from 27 high-risk states.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schneider|first=Gregory S.|date=2020-07-28|title=Virginia governor adds restrictions in Hampton Roads region after surge in coronavirus cases|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-virginia-hampton-roads-dc-maryland/2020/07/28/3aefc31c-d0d9-11ea-8c55-61e7fa5e82ab_story.html|access-date=2020-07-28|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en}}</ref>

===September 2020===
{{See also|White House COVID-19 outbreak}}
A cluster of COVID-19 infections emerged among people at the [[White House]], including many [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. government]] officials, who were in close contact with one another. Numerous high-profile individuals were infected, including President [[Donald Trump]], who was hospitalized for three days.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 4, 2020 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2020/10/02/white-house-outbreak-here-are-the-people-who-have-tested-positive-for-covid-near-president-trump/ |title=White House Outbreak: Chris Christie, Campaign Chief Among Those Near President Trump Who Have Tested Positive For Covid-19 |first=Elana Lyn |last=Gross |website=Forbes|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003030015/https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2020/10/02/white-house-outbreak-here-are-the-people-who-have-tested-positive-for-covid-near-president-trump/|url-status=live}}</ref> At least 48 [[White House]] staff members or associates, closely working with White House personnel, tested positive.<ref name="nyttrack">{{cite news |last1=Buchanan |first1=Larry |last2=Gamio |first2=Lazaro |last3=Leatherby |first3=Lauren |last4=Keefe |first4=John |last5=Koettl |first5=Christoph |last6=Walker |first6=Amy Schoenfeld |title=Tracking the White House Coronavirus Outbreak |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/02/us/politics/trump-contact-tracing-covid.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref><ref name="nyttrack2">{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Amy Schoenfeld |last2=Conlen |first2=Matthew |title=White House Outbreaks Persist, as Cases Now Span Three Months |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/11/us/politics/white-house-covid-outbreak.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=21 November 2020 |date=21 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="cnn-pence-aides">{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Kaitlan |author-link1=Kaitlan Collins |last2=Diamond |first2=Jeremy |author-link2=Jeremy Diamond |last3=Acosta |first3=Jim |author-link3=Jim Acosta |last4=Diaz |first4=Daniella |last5=Liptak |first5=Kevin |last6=Klein |first6=Betsy |title=At least 5 of Vice President Pence's aides test positive for coronavirus |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/24/politics/mac-short-coronavirus-positive-test/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |date=October 24, 2020 |access-date=October 27, 2020}}</ref> The White House resisted efforts to engage in [[contact tracing]], leaving it unclear how many people were infected in total and what the origins of the spread were.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020|title=White House could have traced and contained its covid-19 outbreak. It chose not to.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/10/28/white-house-covid-outbreak-investigation-contact-tracing/}}</ref>

Many of the infections appeared to be related to a ceremony held on September{{nbsp}}26 in the [[White House Rose Garden|Rose Garden]] for [[Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination|the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court]], where seating was not [[Social distancing#COVID-19 pandemic|socially distanced]] and participants were mostly unmasked. Trump himself may have been infectious at that point, but he and his entourage attended several subsequent events unmasked, including [[2020 United States presidential debates#September 29 presidential debate (Case Western Reserve University)|the first presidential debate]] against [[Joe Biden]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] on September 29.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/10/could-trump-have-infected-biden/616591/ |title=Biden's Negative Test Result Isn't Enough to Say He's in the Clear |first=Ed |last=Yong |date=October 2, 2020 |website=The Atlantic}}</ref> The next day, Presidential Counselor [[Hope Hicks]] was placed in quarantine aboard [[Air Force One]] while returning with Trump from a campaign event in [[Minnesota]]. Following that, the president proceeded on schedule to an October 1 [[New Jersey]] fundraiser where he mingled, unmasked, with donors.<ref>{{cite news |author=Russ Choma |date=October 2, 2020 |title=Donald Trump Mingled Without a Mask at a New Jersey Fundraiser |work=Mother Jones |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/10/donald-trump-mingled-without-a-mask-at-a-new-jersey-fundraiser/}}</ref> More infections were reported in late October among Vice President [[Mike Pence]]'s staff,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Haberman|first=Maggie|date=2020-10-25|title=Members of Pence's Inner Circle Test Positive for Coronavirus|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/24/us/politics/pence-virus-marc-short.html|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a second large outbreak occurred after [[Election Day (United States)|Election Day]], after Trump held a watch party in the [[East Room]].<ref name=":01">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-08|title=Trump election party draws scrutiny as guests test positive|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-election-night-party-virus-d229a9d6d26e11dd30ce43294035850f|access-date=2020-11-11|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>

Other infections included First Lady [[Melania Trump]]; [[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]] Senators [[Thom Tillis]], [[Mike Lee]], and [[Ron Johnson]]; GOP Representative [[Matt Gaetz]]; [[Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign|Trump campaign]] manager [[Bill Stepien]]; [[Republican Party (United States)|RNC]] Chair [[Ronna McDaniel]]; former White House counselor [[Kellyanne Conway]]; former New Jersey Governor [[Chris Christie]]; [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] president [[John I. Jenkins]]; Press Secretary [[Kayleigh McEnany]]; presidential advisor [[Stephen Miller (political advisor)|Stephen Miller]]; Chief of Staff [[Mark Meadows (North Carolina politician)|Mark Meadows]]; and Housing and Urban Development Secretary [[Ben Carson]]. As of November 11, at least 48 people had tested positive.<ref name="nyttrack" /><ref name="nyttrack2" /> At least one person, White House security office head Crede Bailey, was reported as "gravely ill."<ref name="credeill">{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/520116-white-house-security-official-reported-to-be-gravely-ill-with-covid|title=White House security official reported to be gravely ill with COVID-19|first=Aris|last=Folley|newspaper=The Hill|date=October 7, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020}}</ref>

===October 2020===
On October 5, DC Public Schools announced an updated reopening plan, with certain elementary students having an option of in-person or virtual learning starting on November 9, with secondary schools remaining as virtual instruction until February 1.<ref name=Franklin1>{{cite web |last1=Franklin |first1=Jonathan |last2=Goncalves |first2=Delia |title=DC Public Schools will begin offering limited in-person instruction to students starting Nov. 9 |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/dc-public-schools-in-person-learning-beginning-november-9/65-55ed9828-8007-4672-93d3-fd60be165f50 |website=WUSA 9 |access-date=8 October 2020 |date=5 October 2020}}</ref> However, the mayor and school chancellor, Lewis Ferebee, had developed the plan without informing the various faculty unions or asking for input, and the union maintains that the schools are not ready to be reopened.<ref name=gomez>{{cite web |last1=Michelle Gomez |first1=Amanda |title=Teachers', Principals', and Nurses' Unions Remain Unsatisfied With Officials' Plans for Safely Reopening DC Public Schools |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/408057/unions-representing-dcps-employees-question-mayors-reopening-plan/ |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=8 October 2020 |date=5 October 2020}}</ref>

=== January 2021 ===
On January 15, organizers of the annual [[March for Life (Washington, D.C.)|March for Life]] announced that the 2021 march, scheduled for January 29, would be moved online due to the pandemic, as well as a security measure following the [[2021 storming of the United States Capitol]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-15|title=Dear March for Life organizers: Thank you for canceling the in-person march|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/01/15/march-life-virtual-canceled-239737|access-date=2021-01-18|website=America Magazine|language=en}}</ref>

On January 19, a memorial service was held at the [[Lincoln Memorial]], to commemorate nearly 400,000 citizens of the United States who died of the virus. President-elect [[Joe Biden]] and Vice President-elect [[Kamala Harris]] attended, and Catholic Archbishop of Washington, DC, Cardinal [[Wilton Daniel Gregory]], gave the invocation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cardinal Gregory to deliver invocation at COVID-19 memorial before inauguration|url=https://cathstan.org/news/us-world/cardinal-gregory-to-deliver-invocation-at-covid-19-memorial-before-inauguration|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Catholic Standard|language=en}}</ref>

===February 2021===
[[File:US Congress moment of silence for COVID-19 victims, Washington, D.C. (2021-02-23).jpg|thumb|Members of the 117th congress participate in a vigil for victims at the US Capitol.]]
The 117th Congress held a moment of silence and vigil in memory of those who died of COVID-19 on February 23.

==Projections==

A number of organizations have produced models that project the trajectory of the coronavirus outbreak.<ref name=Wan>{{cite news |first1=William|last1=Wan|first2=Carolyn Y.|last2=Johnson|date=April 7, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/06/americas-most-influential-coronavirus-model-just-revised-its-estimates-downward-not-every-model-agrees/|title=America's most influential coronavirus model just revised its estimates downward. But not every model agrees.|issue=Health|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407034032/https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/06/americas-most-influential-coronavirus-model-just-revised-its-estimates-downward-not-every-model-agrees/|archive-date=April 7, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation]] at the [[University of Washington]] in [[Seattle]] has constructed one of these (the IHME).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.healthdata.org/research-article/forecasting-covid-19-impact-hospital-bed-days-icu-days-ventilator-days-and-deaths|title=Forecasting COVID-19 impact on hospital bed-days, ICU-days, ventilator days and deaths by US state in the next 4 months|date=April 7, 2020|location=[[Seattle, Washington]]|publisher=[[Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation]]|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407002253/http://www.healthdata.org/research-article/forecasting-covid-19-impact-hospital-bed-days-icu-days-ventilator-days-and-deaths|archive-date=April 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Penn Medicine, a [[consortium]] of the [[Perelman School of Medicine]] and the [[University of Pennsylvania Health System]] in [[Philadelphia]], has constructed another, the COVID-19 Hospital Impact Model for Epidemics (CHIME).<ref>(1) {{cite web|first=Mackenzie|last=Bean|date=March 16, 2020|url=https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-flow/penn-medicine-shares-tool-for-covid-19-capacity-planning.html|title=Penn Medicine shares tool for COVID-19 capacity planning|work=Becker's Hospital Review|publisher=Becker's Healthcare|access-date=April 7, 2020}}<br>(2) {{cite web|url=https://penn-chime.phl.io|title=COVID-19 Hospital Impact Model for Epidemics (CHIME)|year=2020|location=[[Philadelphia]]|publisher=The Trustees of the [[University of Pennsylvania]]|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406135147/https://penn-chime.phl.io/|archive-date=April 6, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Among other things, the two models differ in the methods by which they calculate the effectiveness of [[social distancing]] in reducing the number of new COVID-19 infections.<ref name=Nirappil>{{cite news |first=Fenit|last=Nirappil|date=April 3, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-peak-dc-maryland-virginia/2020/04/03/0636bc6c-75cf-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html|title=Coronavirus peak in D.C., Maryland, Virginia: FAQ on why models differ|issue=Local|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407055223/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-peak-dc-maryland-virginia/2020/04/03/0636bc6c-75cf-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html|archive-date=April 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The District is using the IHME as a best-case scenario and the more conservative CHIME to prepare for a surge that its planners consider to be more likely.<ref name=Wan/>

As of April 3, the CHIME was projecting that the peak hospital impact of the COVID-19 outbreak would occur in the District at the end of June.<ref name=Nirappil/> On April 5, an update to the [[Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation COVID model|IHME model]] revised that model's forecasts.<ref name=Wan/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.healthdata.org/news-release/new-ihme-covid-19-forecasts-find-lower-hospital-bed-need-epidemics-starting-peak|title=New IHME COVID-19 forecasts find lower hospital bed need, epidemics starting to peak confirms social distancing works|date=April 5, 2020|location=[[Seattle, Washington]]|publisher=[[Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation]]|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407234423/http://www.healthdata.org/news-release/new-ihme-covid-19-forecasts-find-lower-hospital-bed-need-epidemics-starting-peak|archive-date=April 7, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The revised model suggests that the District will experience the peak of its outbreak on April 16.<ref name=Wan/>

=== Concerns in relation to the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack ===
{{further|January 6 United States Capitol attack}}
{{January 6 United States Capitol attack}}
Public health experts have said that the storming of the Capitol was a potential [[superspreader event]].<ref name=":7">{{cite news |last1=Villegas |first1=Paulina |last2=Chason |first2=Rachel |last3=Knowles |first3=Hannah |date=January 8, 2021 |title=Storming of Capitol was textbook potential coronavirus superspreader, experts say |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/08/capitol-coronavirus/ |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108125621/https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/08/capitol-coronavirus/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Activist Tim "Baked Alaska" Gionet participated in the riot despite a recent positive diagnosis,<ref>{{cite web |last=Bonfiglio |first=Nahila |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Baked Alaska attends far-right election protest despite recent COVID-19 diagnosis |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/baked-alaska-protest-covid/ |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=The Daily Dot |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109050612/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/baked-alaska-protest-covid/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and few members of the crowd wore [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|face coverings]], with many coming from out of town.<ref name=":7" /> [[Anthony Fauci]], director of the [[National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases]] and lead member of the [[White House Coronavirus Task Force]], said that the rioters' failure to "adhere to the fundamentals of public health" to prevent the spread of COVID-19—such as "universal wearing of masks, keeping [[Social distancing|physical distance]], [and] avoiding crowds in congregate settings"—placed them at risk.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mastis |first=Lindsey |date=January 8, 2021 |title=ONLY ON 7: Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses whether Capitol riot was a superspreader event |work=WJLA-TV |publisher=[[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] |url=https://wjla.com/news/coronavirus/dr-anthony-fauci-capitol-riot-superspreader |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108202306/https://wjla.com/news/coronavirus/dr-anthony-fauci-capitol-riot-superspreader |url-status=live}}</ref> The day after the event, Eric Toner, a senior scholar from the [[Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security]], said the storming of the Capitol was "extraordinarily dangerous" from a public-health perspective.<ref name=":7" />

As many as 200&nbsp;[[congressional staff]]ers reportedly sheltered in various rooms inside the Capitol, further increasing the risk of transmission.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Kansas Rep. Jake LaTurner Tests Positive For Covid-19 Hours After House Vote |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2021/01/07/kansas-rep-jake-laturner-tests-positive-for-covid-19-hours-after-house-vote/ |first=Siladitya |last=Ray |periodical=Forbes |date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113193703/https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2021/01/07/kansas-rep-jake-laturner-tests-positive-for-covid-19-hours-after-house-vote/?sh=7947811268f9 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Brian P. Monahan]], the [[Attending Physician of the United States Congress|attending physician of Congress]], reported that members of Congress who were in protective isolation during the attack, some for several hours, may have been exposed to others with COVID-19; Monahan advised members to take protective measures, monitor for symptoms, and take a precautionary [[Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction|RT-PCR]] [[COVID-19 testing|test]].<ref name="Attending">{{cite news |author=Paulina Firozi, Amy B Wang & Mike DeBonis |title=Lawmakers may have been exposed to the coronavirus in Capitol lockdown, attending physician says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/10/lawmakers-may-have-been-exposed-coronavirus-capitol-lockdown-attending-physician-says/ |date=January 10, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113194511/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/10/lawmakers-may-have-been-exposed-coronavirus-capitol-lockdown-attending-physician-says/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hillyard |first=Vaughn |date=January 10, 2021 |title=Capitol physician says members in lockdown may have been exposed to occupant with Covid |url=https://www.msnbc.com/weekends-with-alex-witt/watch/capitol-physician-says-members-in-lockdown-may-have-been-exposed-to-occupant-with-covid-99231301598 |access-date=January 11, 2021 |website=MSNBC.com |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110200934/https://www.msnbc.com/weekends-with-alex-witt/watch/capitol-physician-says-members-in-lockdown-may-have-been-exposed-to-occupant-with-covid-99231301598 |url-status=live}}</ref>

A video of members of Congress sheltering in place shows a group of maskless Republicans, including [[Andy Biggs]], [[Scott Perry (politician)|Scott Perry]], [[Michael Cloud]] (R–[[Texas|TX]]) and [[Markwayne Mullin]] (R–[[Oklahoma|OK]]), refusing masks offered by Representative [[Lisa Blunt Rochester]] (D–DE); Blunt Rochester later wrote that she was "disappointed in my colleagues who refused to wear a mask" but "encouraged by those who did."<ref name="Attending" /> On January 12, a bill was introduced in the House to impose a $500 fine the first day members refuse to wear a mask on the floor and a $2,500 fine for the second time. The money would be deducted from the offending members and staffers pay.<ref name="HuffPost">{{cite web |last1=Am |last2=Terkel |first2=a |last3=Fuller |first3=Matt |date=January 12, 2021 |title=House Members To Be Fined For Not Wearing Face Masks |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/house-lawmakers-face-mask-fine_n_5ffe1410c5b656719889d163 |access-date=January 13, 2021 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113193706/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/house-lawmakers-face-mask-fine_n_5ffe1410c5b656719889d163 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Representative [[Jacob LaTurner]] (R–[[Kansas|KS]]) tested positive after the lockdown was lifted, and, as a result, was absent from the House floor when the Electoral College certification resumed. Starting January{{nbsp}}11, four members of Congress, Representatives [[Bonnie Watson Coleman]] (D–[[New Jersey|NJ]]), [[Pramila Jayapal]] (D–[[Washington (state)|WA]]), [[Brad Schneider]] (D–[[Illinois|IL]]), and [[Adriano Espaillat]] (D–[[New York (state)|NY]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/adriano-espaillat-covid-vaccine-congress/index.html |title=Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat tests positive for Covid-19 |first=Daniella |last=Diaz |website=CNN |date=January 14, 2021 |language=en |access-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115004001/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/adriano-espaillat-covid-vaccine-congress/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> tested positive after being exposed to maskless members of Congress during the lockdown. All had gone into isolation while awaiting testing results. Jayapal condemned Republican colleagues who, while sheltering in place during the riots, "not only cruelly refused to wear a mask but mocked colleagues and staff who offered them one."<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1751 |title=Watson Coleman Receives Positive Coronavirus Test Following January 6 Capitol Lockdown |date=January 11, 2021 |publisher=Office of U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113193632/https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1751 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://jayapal.house.gov/2021/01/11/covid-test/ |title=Jayapal Tests Positive for COVID-19 Following Lockdown at Capitol With Republican Lawmakers Who Cruelly and Selfishly Refused to Wear Masks |publisher=Office of U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal |date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113193642/https://jayapal.house.gov/2021/01/11/covid-test/ |url-status=live}}</ref> After sheltering in the same room on January 6, Conan Harris, husband of Representative [[Ayanna Pressley]], tested positive on the night of January 12, putting both Harris and Presley into quarantine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/13/nation/after-husband-contracts-coronavirus-rep-ayanna-pressley-criticizes-gop-colleagues-not-wearing-masks/ |title=After husband contracts coronavirus, Rep. Ayanna Pressley criticizes GOP colleagues for not wearing masks |website=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114192239/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/13/nation/after-husband-contracts-coronavirus-rep-ayanna-pressley-criticizes-gop-colleagues-not-wearing-masks/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

More than two weeks after the storming, 38 Capitol Police officers tested positive for the virus. However, it was unclear how many of them were on duty during the event or when they contracted it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/24/politics/capitol-police-riot-coronavirus/index.html|title=38 Capitol Police officers test positive for Covid-19 after Capitol riot|publisher=CNN|last1=Kounang|first1=Nadia|last2=Wild|first2=Whitney|date=January 24, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2021}}</ref> On January 25, the commander of the District of Columbia National Guard, [[William J. Walker|Major General William Walker]], said that nearly 200 troops deployed to the nation's capital had tested positive for COVID-19. The number of cases had risen by nearly five times from the 45 cases reported on January 15.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harkins |first1=Gina |title=DC Guard Chief 'Deeply Troubled' After Nearly 200 Troops Test Positive for COVID-19 |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/01/25/dc-guard-chief-deeply-troubled-after-nearly-200-troops-test-positive-covid-19.html |access-date=February 11, 2021 |work=[[Military.com]] |date=January 25, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== Statistics ==

{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table;"
|+Total cases by race<ref name="coviddata" />
As of November 17, 2020
|-
! Race !! Total Cases !! Percent
|-
| Black || 9,166 || 47%
|-
| Two or more races || 5,392 || 28%
|-
| White || 4,378 || 22%
|-
| Asian || 311 || 2%
|-
| Unknown || 124 || 1%
|-
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander || 56 || 0%
|-
| American Indian || 38 || 0%
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table;"
|+Total deaths by race<ref name="coviddata">{{cite web |title=COVID-19 Surveillance |url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/data |website=coronavirus.dc.gov |access-date=18 November 2020}}</ref>
As of November 17, 2020
|-
! Race !! Total Deaths !! Percent
|-
| Total || 665 || 100%
|-
| Black || 495 || 74%
|-
| Hispanic/Latino || 88 || 13%
|-
| Non-Hispanic White || 67 || 10%
|-
| Asian || 8 || 1%
|-
| Other || 7 || 1%
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table;"
|+Total cases by age<ref name="coviddata" />
As of November 17, 2020
|-
! Age group !! Total Cases !! Percent 
|-
| Total || 19,465 || 100%
|-
| 0-4 || 429 || 2%
|-
| 5-14 || 727 || 4%
|-
| 15-19 || 689 || 4%
|-
| 20-24 || 1,788 || 9%
|-
| 25-34 || 4,629 || 24%
|-
| 35-44 || 3,325 || 17%
|-
| 45-54 || 2,625 || 13% 
|-
| 55-64 || 2,470 || 13%
|-
| 65-74 || 1,512 || 8%
|-
| 75+ || 1,250 || 6%
|-
| Unknown || 21 || 0%
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table;"
|+Total deaths by age<ref name="coviddata" />
As of November 17, 2020
|-
! Age group !! Total Deaths !! Percent 
|-
| Total || 665 || 100%
|-
| 0-9 || 0 || 0%
|-
| 10-19 || 0 || 0%
|-
| 20-29 || 5 || 1%
|-
| 30-39 || 13 || 2%
|-
| 40-49 || 24 || 4%
|-
| 50-59 || 80 || 12%
|-
| 60-69 || 151 || 23%
|-
| 70-79 || 165 || 25%
|-
| 80+ || 227 || 34%
|}

==Government response==
[[File:Stop the spread of germs DC metro.jpg|thumb|Electronic sign in a [[Washington Metro]] station during the coronavirus pandemic.]]
On March 11, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency for the District of Columbia. The declaration allowed Bowser to request federal disaster funds and to address price gouging. The order also gave her additional authorities, including the ordering of quarantines without court approval.<ref>(1) {{cite web|url=https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-declares-public-health-emergency|title=Mayor Bowser Declares Public Health Emergency|work=News Release|date=March 11, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331050450/https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-declares-public-health-emergency|archive-date=March 31, 2020|url-status=live}}<br>(2) {{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/11/politics/washington-dc-state-of-emergency-coronavirus/index.html|title=DC mayor declares state of emergency due to coronavirus|first1=Jamiel|last1=Lynch|first2=Paul|last2=LeBlanc|website=CNN|access-date=2020-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311230011/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/11/politics/washington-dc-state-of-emergency-coronavirus/index.html|archive-date=2020-03-11|url-status=live}}<br>(3) {{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/487112-washington-dc-declares-state-of-emergency-over-coronavirus|title=Washington, DC, declares state of emergency over coronavirus|last=Moreno|first=J. Edward|date=2020-03-11|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=2020-03-12}}<br>(4) {{cite news |first1=Jenna|last1=Portnoy|first2=Fenit|last2=Nirappil|first3=Darran|last3=Simon|date=March 12, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-dc-maryland-coronavirus-news-wednesday/2020/03/11/50a0d822-6342-11ea-acca-80c22bbee96f_story.html|title=D.C. declares state of emergency as concerts, parades, church services are canceled|issue=Local|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327105804/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-dc-maryland-coronavirus-news-wednesday/2020/03/11/50a0d822-6342-11ea-acca-80c22bbee96f_story.html|archive-date=March 27, 2020|url-status=live}}<br>(5) {{cite web|last=Bowser|first=Muriel, Mayor|url=https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/MO.DeclarationofPublicEmergency03.11.20.pdf|title=Mayor's Order 2020-045: Declaration of Public Emergency: Coronavirus (COVID-19)|date=March 20, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329201523/https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/MO.DeclarationofPublicEmergency03.11.20.pdf|archive-date=March 29, 2020|url-status=live}}<br>(6) {{cite web|last=Bowser|first=Muriel, Mayor|url=https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/MO.DeclarationofPublicHealthEmergency03.11.20.pdf|title=Mayor's Order 2020-046: Declaration of Public Emergency: Coronavirus (COVID-19)|date=March 20, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329201521/https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/MO.DeclarationofPublicHealthEmergency03.11.20.pdf|archive-date=March 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 16, the District government suspended on-site bar and restaurant service and shut down movie theaters and gyms. Restaurants could still offer food for carryout and delivery, but customers could not dine in.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-dc-maryland-virginia/2020/03/16/2362519a-6777-11ea-abef-020f086a3fab_story.html |title=Second Va. man dies, D.C., Maryland restaurants, bars close as toll passes 100 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2020-03-16 |access-date=2020-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316234751/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-dc-maryland-virginia/2020/03/16/2362519a-6777-11ea-abef-020f086a3fab_story.html |archive-date=2020-03-16 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 20, Mayor Bowser issued an order that prohibited mass gatherings of 50 or more people. The order also prohibited table service and service to standing customers at restaurants, bars and multi-purpose facilities, including seated, fast food and fast casual restaurants. Those businesses could only operate for take-out, "grab-and-go" and delivery operations.<ref name="March 20 order">(1) {{cite web|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor's-order-2020-051-prohibition-mass-gatherings-during-public-health-emergency|title=Prohibition on Mass Gatherings During Public Health Emergency – Coronavirus (COVID-19)|work=News Release|date=March 20, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330150520/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor%E2%80%99s-order-2020-051-prohibition-mass-gatherings-during-public-health-emergency|archive-date=March 30, 2020|url-status=live}}<br>(2) {{cite web|last=Bowser|first=Muriel, Mayor|url=https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/u23/Mayor%60s%20Order%202020-51.pdf|title=Mayor's Order 2020-051: Prohibition on Mass Gatherings During Public Health Emergency – Coronavirus (COVID-19)|date=March 20, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330201113/https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/u23/Mayor%60s%20Order%202020-51.pdf|archive-date=March 30, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Mayor's March 20 order also required nightclubs, health clubs, health spas, massage parlors, and theaters to continue their suspension of operations, which the District's government had initially ordered on March 17. The order further closed to the public all facilities that the District's Department of Recreation operated, including playgrounds, parks, and athletic fields.<ref name="March 20 order"/>

The District of Columbia Medical Reserve Corps (DC MRC), a volunteer organization under the District of Columbia Department of Health, was mobilized to aid emergency workers in responding to the coronavirus pandemic throughout D.C. On March 21, Mayor Bowser called for more volunteers to join the task force.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor Bowser Encourages Volunteers to Join the DC Medical Reserve Corps |url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-encourages-volunteers-join-dc-medical-reserve-corps |website=coronavirus.dc.gov |publisher=DC.Gov |date=21 March 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323215101/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-encourages-volunteers-join-dc-medical-reserve-corps |archive-date=23 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 24, Mayor Bowser issued an order "to temporarily cease all non-essential business activities, including tour guides and touring services; gyms, health clubs, spas, and massage establishments; theaters, auditoriums, and other places of large gatherings; nightclubs; hair, nail, and tanning salons and barbershops; tattoo parlors; sales not involved in essential services; retail clothing stores; and professional services not devoted to assisting essential business operations."<ref>(1) {{cite web|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-orders-closure-non-essential-businesses|title=New Mayor's Order Requires Temporary Closure of Non-Essential Businesses and Prohibits Gatherings of Ten or More People|work=News Release|date=March 24, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330200918/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-orders-closure-non-essential-businesses|archive-date=March 30, 2020|url-status=live}} <br>(2) {{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Sophia|url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-closes-nonessential-businesses-dmv-latest-tuesday-march-23-whats-closed-washington/2252010/|title=DC Closes Nonessential Businesses, DMV Centers to Stop Coronavirus|date=March 25, 2020|work=Coronavirus|publisher=[[WRC-TV|NBC4 Washington]]|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327133947/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-closes-nonessential-businesses-dmv-latest-tuesday-march-23-whats-closed-washington/2252010/|archive-date=March 27, 2020|url-status=live}}<br>(3) {{cite web|last=Bowser|first=Muriel, Mayor|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/Mayor%27s%20Order%202020-053%20Closure%20of%20Non-Essential%20Businesses%20and%20Prohibiti....pdf|title=Mayor's Order 2020-053: Closure of Non-Essential Businesses and Prohibition on Large Gatherings During Public Health Emergency for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)|date=March 24, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329184808/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/Mayor%27s%20Order%202020-053%20Closure%20of%20Non-Essential%20Businesses%20and%20Prohibiti....pdf|archive-date=March 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bowser's March 24 order defined "Construction and Building Trades" as "essential businesses", but did not define private construction projects themselves as being "essential".<ref>{{cite web|last=Bowser|first=Muriel, Mayor|url=https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/Mayor%27s%20Order%202020-053%20Closure%20of%20Non-Essential%20Businesses%20and%20Prohibiti....pdf|title=Mayor's Order 2020-053: Closure of Non-Essential Businesses and Prohibition on Large Gatherings During Public Health Emergency for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)|date=March 24, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Government of the District of Columbia: Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329184808/https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/Mayor%27s%20Order%202020-053%20Closure%20of%20Non-Essential%20Businesses%20and%20Prohibiti....pdf|archive-date=March 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> However, [[The Washington Post]] reported on March 28 that the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia had designated construction as "essential," along with hospitals, grocery stores, banks and several other types of businesses. The ''Post'' reported that each of these jurisdictions had allowed private construction, including home building and commercial developments, to continue.<ref name=Lazo>{{cite news |first1=Luz|last1=Lazo|first2=Katherine|last2=Shaver|date=March 28, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/work-on-regions-big-projects-continues-amid-coronavirus-with-construction-an-essential-business/2020/03/28/e4af8b38-6dfd-11ea-a3ec-70d7479d83f0_story.html|title=Work on region's big projects continues amid coronavirus, with construction an 'essential' business|issue=Transportation|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401022830/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/work-on-regions-big-projects-continues-amid-coronavirus-with-construction-an-essential-business/2020/03/28/e4af8b38-6dfd-11ea-a3ec-70d7479d83f0_story.html|archive-date=April 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''Post'' reported that John Falcicchio, Bowser's chief of staff, had stated that the District, Maryland and Virginia had agreed to follow the federal guidance declaring construction to be essential work. However, the ''Post'' reported that several states, including Pennsylvania and Vermont, had suspended or prohibited all construction work (except for emergencies) as unnecessary during a public health crisis. The Post further reported that the State of Washington's transportation department had suspended work on nearly all of its projects and that Washington's governor had clarified his [[Stay-at-home order|stay-at-home]] order to state that commercial and residential construction were generally prohibited "because construction is not considered to be an essential activity."<ref name=Lazo/>

The [[United States Department of Homeland Security]]'s March 28 guidance on essential critical infrastructure lists as "essential" the construction of residential/shelter facilities and services (see "[[essential services]]"), energy-related facilities, communications, and information technology, public works including the construction of critical or strategic infrastructure and infrastructure that is temporarily required to support COVID-19 response, is for certain other types of community- or government-based operations or is otherwise critical, strategic, or essential. The guidance does not contain any such listings for other types of construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA_Guidance_on_the_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workforce_Version_2.0_Updated.pdf|title=Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response|date=March 28, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=[[United States Department of Homeland Security]]: [[Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency]]: Office of the Director|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402033910/https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA_Guidance_on_the_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workforce_Version_2.0_Updated.pdf|archive-date=April 2, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On March 30, Bowser announced a stay-at-home order that would go into effect on April 1. The order stated that residents may only leave their residences to engage in essential activities, including obtaining medical care that cannot be provided through telehealth and obtaining food and essential household goods, to perform or access essential governmental functions, to work at essential businesses, to engage in essential travel and to engage in specific recreational activities that the order defined.<ref name="stay at home"/><ref name="Post March 30"/> Anyone found to be violating the order would be charged with a [[misdemeanor]] and subject to a $5,000 fine and/or 90 days in prison.<ref name=Franklin/>

===Schools===
On March 13, [[District of Columbia Public Schools]] (DCPS) shut down schools from March 16 to March 31. March 16 was reserved for professional development for teachers in preparation for the implementation of [[distance learning]]. The April Spring Break period was moved to March 17 to March 23, after which classes were set to resume online. DCPS-sponsored out-of-state travel for students was suspended until May 1 and staff travel was restricted. During the closure, several schools were set to offer meals to students from 10 am to 2 pm on weekdays.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates |url=https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus |website=District of Columbia Public Schools |publisher=DC.Gov |access-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313221000/https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus |archive-date=13 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

D.C. Public Schools have an all-virtual start to the 2020–21 school year for students in pre-K through the 12th grade, from August 31 to at least November 6.<ref>[https://wtop.com/education/2020/08/fall-school-plans-for-dc-maryland-virginia-systems-during-coronavirus/ "Fall school plans for DC, Maryland, Virginia systems during coronavirus"], WTOP News, August 13, 2020.</ref> On October 5, DC Public Schools announced an updated reopening plan, with certain elementary students having an option of in-person or virtual learning starting on November 9, with secondary schools remaining as virtual instruction until February 1.<ref name=Franklin1 /> However, the mayor and school chancellor, Lewis Ferebee, had developed the plan without informing the various faculty unions or asking for input, and the union maintains that the schools are not ready to be reopened.<ref name=gomez />

==Impact on sports==
{{Main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports}}

The pandemic affected several sports in the district. On March 12, [[Major League Baseball]] cancelled the remainder of [[spring training]], and on March 16, they announced that the season will be postponed indefinitely, after the recommendations from the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] to restrict events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, affecting the [[2020 Washington Nationals season|Washington Nationals]].<ref name="mlb">{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-of-regular-season-to-be-pushed-back |title=Opening of regular season to be pushed back |first=Mark |last=Feinsand |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=March 16, 2020 |access-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317025811/https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-of-regular-season-to-be-pushed-back |archive-date=March 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also on March 12, the [[National Basketball Association]] announced the season would be suspended for 30 days, affecting the [[2019–20 Washington Wizards season|Washington Wizards]].<ref name=nba>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28893331/nba-owners-seeking-30-day-reevaluation-suspension-games |title=Silver: NBA hiatus likely to last 'at least' 30 days |date=March 12, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313004850/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28893331/nba-owners-seeking-30-day-reevaluation-suspension-games |archive-date=March 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[National Hockey League]], the season was suspended for an indefinite amount of time, affecting the [[2019–20 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]].<ref name=nhl>[https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-coronavirus-status/c-316155530 NHL statement on coronavirus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314025848/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-coronavirus-status/c-316155530 |date=2020-03-14 }} NHL, March 12, 2020</ref>

In college sports, the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] cancelled all winter and spring tournaments, most notably the [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] [[2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|men]]'s and [[2020 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|women]]'s basketball tournaments, affecting colleges and universities districtwide.<ref name=ncaa>[https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-cancels-remaining-winter-and-spring-championships NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312213051/http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-cancels-remaining-winter-and-spring-championships |date=2020-03-12 }} NCAA, March 12, 2020</ref> On March 16, the [[National Junior College Athletic Association]] also canceled the remainder of the winter seasons as well as the spring seasons.<ref>[https://www.mlive.com/sports/2020/03/njcaa-cancels-spring-sports-basketball-nationals-amid-coronavirus-outbreak.html NJCAA cancels spring sports, basketball nationals amid coronavirus outbreak] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318182102/https://www.mlive.com/sports/2020/03/njcaa-cancels-spring-sports-basketball-nationals-amid-coronavirus-outbreak.html |date=2020-03-18 }} MLive.com, March 16, 2020</ref>

== See also ==

* [[COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland]] – for impact on Maryland counties in the Washington metropolitan area
* [[COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia]] – for impact on Virginia counties in the Washington metropolitan area
* [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]] – for impact on the country
* [[COVID-19 pandemic]] – for impact on other countries

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [https://coronavirus.dc.gov/ Coronavirus information] from the [[Government of the District of Columbia]]

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