DC Coronavirus Update: 1 Additional Death; 119 New Cases

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. Department of Health confirmed 119 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. That's less than the 139 reported on Monday. This brings the District's total number of positive cases to date to 20,409.

D.C. Health reported one new death Tuesday day due to COVID-19. The death is described as a 93-year-old man. The total number of deaths in the District stands at 673.

According to D.C. Health, 648,922 coronavirus tests have been administered in the District, 292,832 residents have been tested, and 15,085 have been cleared from isolation.

The District currently has 61 intensive care unit beds available out of 345 total intensive care unit beds. There are currently 164 in-use ventilators and 276 available. Also, there are 36 COVID-19-positive ICU patients.

On Monday, the D.C. Government adjusted its Phase 2 guidelines with a number of new restrictions that will affect how residents gather, dine out, worship, enjoy entertainment, and exercise across the city.

Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a Mayor's Order modifying the Phase 2 operations. The changes, which go into effect Wednesday, included:

• All non-essential, non-retail businesses are strongly encouraged to have employees telework.
• The limitations on public gatherings have been reduced from 50 to 25 for outdoor gatherings and indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people. This applies to gatherings at people's homes as well as indoor gatherings not subject to other rules.
• Restaurants may continue to stay open until midnight, but they must suspend alcohol sales, service, and consumption by 10 p.m. In addition, indoor restaurant capacity will be reduced from its current level of 50 percent to 25 percent on Monday, Dec. 14.
• The District continues to encourage houses of worship to conduct virtual services. In addition, it is reducing the indoor capacity of houses of worship from 100 people to 50, or to 25 percent of capacity, whichever number is lower.
• Gyms, private trainers, other business and recreation centers must suspend all indoor group exercise classes. Any outdoor exercise activity must be limited to 25 or fewer people.

Bowser will also be releasing a mayor's order with an updated advisory regarding high-contact sports in the District. She is also rescinding the live-entertainment pilot program, which allowed some venues to reopen on a limited basis. Venues that had obtained a waiver for live entertainment will be contacted about their ability to proceed with acts or performances that have already been booked.

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Globally, more than 59.4 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 1.4 million people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Tuesday morning. In the United States, more than 12.4 million people have been infected and over 258,000 people have died from COVID-19.

Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Age and Gender

Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Ward

Total COVID-19 Deaths By Ward

Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Race

Total of Positive COVID-19 Deaths By Race

District residents should take the following actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Also see ...

• DC Institutes New Phase 2 Restrictions Due To Coronavirus Surge
• DC Coronavirus Update: 2 Additional Deaths; 130 New Cases
• DC Expands Coronavirus Testing Hours, Adds Site At Nationals Park
• Coronavirus Spread In Washington, DC: See Your Risk Of Exposure
• DC Coronavirus Update: 159 New Cases, No Additional Deaths
• DC Coronavirus Update: No Additional Deaths; 128 New Cases
• New Coronavirus Cases More Than Double In One Day