DC Coronavirus: 1,875 Cases, 50 Deaths, 493 Patients Recovered

WASHINGTON, DC — The District of Columbia reported 97 additional cases of the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 illness, bringing the total to 1,875 cases Sunday. The number of DC residents who died rose to 50 after the deaths of a 54-year-old man, a 61-year-old man and a 70-year-old man. So far, 493 people have recovered from COVID-19 illness and 10,640 people have been tested.

As of April 11, the District has 121 intensive care unit (ICU) beds available, a change from 95 the previous day. Patients are using 215 ventilators, and 227 ventilators remain available.

The breakdown of DC's coronavirus cases by age is:

• Ages 0-18: 47 cases
• Ages 19-30: 310 cases
• Ages 31-40: 414 cases
• Ages 41-50: 311 cases
• Ages 51-60: 308 cases
• Ages 61-70: 274 cases
• Ages 71-80: 134 cases
• Ages 81 and up: 77 cases

DC Health is keeping track of cases among public safety personnel and inmates in the Department of Corrections and juvenile detention system. In DC's Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, 58 members tested positive for the new coronavirus, and a total of 227 workers are off the job due to positive test results or self-quarantine. As of April 11, 353 workers returned to the job, including 14 who recovered from COVID-19 illness.

In the Metropolitan Police Department, 51 members tested positive and 290 members aren't working due to positive test results or self-quarantine. DC reported that 364 members have returned to work, including five who recovered.

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Fifteen Departments of Corrections workers tested positive and 52 inmates tested positive. Among inmates, nine have recovered, 43 are in isolation, and a total of 224 inmates are in self-quarantine. The Department of Corrections has 174 workers out due to positive test results or self-quarantine, and 27 have returned to work. In DC's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, five workers and four inmates tested positive. The inmates are in isolation. The department has 92 workers out due to positive test results or self-quarantine and eight who returned to work.

DC Health is focusing its contact investigations on positive cases involving health care workers and first responders, senior care facilities, child care facilities, correctional and detention centers, and facilities serving the homeless population. DC's testing priority involves three groups:

• Hospitalized patients and healthcare facility workers with COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
• Patients in long-term care facilities with symptoms; patients over the age of 65 with symptoms; patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease who also have symptoms; and first responders with symptoms.
• Critical infrastructure workers with symptoms; individuals who do not meet any of the above categories but have symptoms; healthcare facility workers and first responders; and individuals in detention centers and individuals experiencing homelessness with symptoms.

Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough and shortness of breath) should stay home and self-quarantine until 24 hours after symptoms are gone without using symptom-altering medications. Contact a doctor before visiting to ask about testing.

Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a stay-at-home order, effective April 1. Residents are allowed to only leave home for essential purposes such as obtaining food and medical care, as well as exercise. DC Health urges residents to maintain six feet from others and practice other social distancing measures when out for essential tasks. People who violate Bowser's stay-at-home order may be guilty of a misdemeanor and, if convicted, may be fined up to $5,000, imprisoned for up to 90 days, or both.

Another order from Bowser requires customers to wear masks while grocery shopping and provides social distancing guidance for food retailers and farmers markets. By April 20, all District food retailers that must install plexiglass or plastic dividers between customers and employees at a cash register serving more than 50 people a day. On Friday, vendors at the Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf were allowed to reopen provided they wear protective gear and ensure people are not congregating. Grocery stores must provide signage informing customers of social distancing rules.

SEE ALSO:

• Coronavirus: Several DC Roads Close For Resident Exercise
• Bowser: DC Food Shoppers Must Wear Masks Due To Coronavirus
• Coronavirus: DC Mayor Addresses Stay-At-Home Order Penalties
• Coronavirus: DC Mayor Orders District Residents To Stay Home