DC Coronavirus Update: Total Positive Cases Top 24,000

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. Department of Health 244 new positive cases of COVID-19, the illness associated with the new coronavirus, on Thursday. That's down from the 265 reported on Wednesday. This brings the District's total number of positive cases to date to 24,098.

D.C. Health also confirmed four new deaths in the District due to COVID-19 on Thursday. The deaths are described as a 52-year-old man, a 72-year-old man, an 83-year-old man, and an 84-year-old man. The total number of deaths in the District stands at 708.

According to D.C. Health, 757,833 coronavirus tests have been administered in the District, 323,486 residents have been tested, and 17,291 have been cleared from isolation.

The District currently has 30 intensive care unit beds available out of 345 total intensive care unit beds. There are currently 227 in-use ventilators and 213 available. Also, there are 57 COVID-19-positive ICU patients.

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus in D.C. as they happen. Sign up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

Approximately 20,000 D.C. residents who filed and were deemed eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) as of Nov. 30 will receive a one-time direct payment of $1,200. The PUA payments, which will be issued in the coming weeks, cover individuals not eligible for traditional unemployment insurance.

The D.C. Government is providing the payments to PUA recipients whose federally funded benefits are due to expire at the end of December. The stimulus payments will be taxed, locally and federally, and will be dispersed however the recipients are currently receiving benefits.

On Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a new order prohibiting all high-contact sport in the District. The prohibited sports include basketball, hockey, rugby, boxing, lacrosse, soccer, football, martial arts, and wrestling. The restrictions do not apply to professional or university leagues, which are required to have approved health and safety plans.

Globally, more than 69 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 1.5 million people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Thursday morning. In the United States, more than 15.3 million people have been infected and over 289,000 people have died from COVID-19.

Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Age and Gender

Total of Positive COVID-19 Deaths By Age

Total of Positive COVID-19 Deaths By 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 ...

• Eligible DC Residents To Receive One-Time Stimulus Check
• High-Contact Sports Prohibited In DC Due To Coronavirus
• DC Public Schools To Start New COVID-19 Testing Protocol
• DC Coronavirus Update: 1 Additional Death; 316 New Cases
• DC Coronavirus Update: New Coronavirus Cases Double In 1 Day
• DC Coronavirus Update: 157 Additional Cases; 5 New Deaths
• 5 New Deaths Due To Coronavirus Reported In DC