Coronavirus: DC Health Recommends Churchgoers Self-Quarantine

WASHINGTON, DC — In response to two confirmed positive cases of the new coronavirus in Washington, D.C., health officials recommend that anyone who recently attended services at Christ Church Georgetown begin self-quarantining themselves, Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a Monday morning news conference. Those dates are Feb. 24 or between Feb. 28 and March 3.

"This morning, based on information gathered by D.C. Health, D.C. Health recommended temporarily pausing services at Christ Church Georgetown," Bowser said. "The church further suspended all services and meetings until further notice."

According to Bowser, D.C. Health began its investigation of a man in his 50s whom she referred to as "Patient One." That person identified himself to D.C. Health officials as the rector of Christ Church Georgetown. As of Monday morning, he had remained hospitalized.

"D.C. Health has been reaching out to known contacts to begin the process of self-quarantining," she said. "As of late last night, D.C. Health is recommending that anyone who visited Christ Church Georgetown either on Feb. 24 or between Feb. 28 and March 3 self-quarantine themselves at home for 14 days since the last time they visited the church."

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D.C. Health has maintained communication with the church and has been contacting congregants with information and guidance. Bowser said that anyone who attended the church on the dates she mentioned should call D.C. Health at 202-576-1117 or their health care provider if they develop symptoms or if they had symptoms within the 14-day period following their visit to the church. Congregants who don't have symptoms but have questions can visit coronavirus.dc.gov.

In a Saturday news conference, Bowser confirmed the first two presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus in D.C. The second case involved someone Bowser identified Monday as "Patient Two," who recently traveled to the United States. Maryland officials notified D.C. Health about the second patient's visit.

"This individual stayed in Washington, D.C., before presenting himself to a Maryland hospital for care," Bowser said. "There, he tested positive for COVID- 19. Because the individual known as Patient Two stayed in D.C. for one night when he arrived in the country, the CDC classified this case as a D.C. case."

D.C. Health is also conducting contact tracing of Patient Two. Based on its investigation, D.C. Health officials identified and tested three persons who stayed in the same residence as Patient Two. All three tests yielded negative results for the virus.

"Of these close contacts who tested negative is a staff member at the School Without Walls," Bowser said. "This staff member continues to be asymptomatic and is now following the CDC's self-quarantine protocol. This means that there is no immediate risk to staff or students."

To allow school staff the opportunity to communicate with students and their families, D.C. Public Schools closed The School Without Walls on Monday. DCPS will "deep clean" the school so it will be ready to reopen Tuesday.

As of Monday morning, Patient Two remained hospitalized.

"We continue to ask residents to stay at home if they are sick [and] to call ahead to a health care provider if they develop symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough and shortness of breath," Bowser said.

Health officials urge residents to take these steps to avoid the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people.

Related:

• First 2 Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Cases Reported In DC
• VA Officials Work To Limit Spread From 1st Coronavirus Cases

COVID-19 Fast Facts

• Coronavirus refers to a family of different viruses. For instance, the common cold is a coronavirus. So is SARS. COVID-19, however, is a new strain.
• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning that they can spread between people and animals.
• Symptoms include a fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
• COVID-19 can spread between people who are about 6 feet apart from each other and through respiratory droplets (produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes), the CDC says.
• An infected person may not experience symptoms for up to 14 days.