DC Coronavirus Update: 1 New Death; 42 Additional Cases

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. Department of Health reported one new death due to COVID-19, the illness associated with the coronavirus, on Thursday. The total number of deaths in the District due to COVID-19 stands at 581.

D.C. Health also confirmed 42 new positive cases of COVID-19 Thursday, bringing the District's total number of positive cases to 11,571.

On Wednesday, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a mayor's order mandating that all District residents wear face masks when they go out in public, with some exceptions. She also signed an order extending the coronavirus public health emergency that was due to expire on Friday through Oct. 9.

Community spread is one of the metrics D.C. Health monitors to determine when it will be safe for the District to enter the next phase of its phased reopening. In order to move forward, the District must see a sustained decrease in community spread over 14 consecutive days. The District has experienced seven days of sustained decrease through Monday.

According to D.C. Health, 160,021 COVID-19 tests have been administered in the District, 115,353 D.C. residents have been tested, and 2,020 have been cleared from isolation.

The District currently has 76 intensive care unit beds available out of 345 total intensive care unit beds. There are currently 179 in-use ventilators and 22 COVID-19 positive ICU patients.

Globally, more than 15.2 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 624,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Thursday morning. In the United States, more than 3.9 million people have been infected and over 143,000 people have died from COVID-19.

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

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