DC Could Enter Phase 2 Of Reopening This Week

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the District could enter Phase 2 of its phased reopening as soon as Friday, provided the numbers health officials are using to track the progress of the new coronavirus continue to improve.

"June 19 would likely be the earliest that we could enter into Phase 2, if our numbers continue to trend down," said Mayor Muriel Bowser, during a Monday morning press briefing.

The District entered Phase 1 on May 29. As of Monday morning, the city has experienced 11 days of sustained decrease in community spread of COVID-19, the illness associated with the new coronavirus, according to the latest data. One of the metrics for moving into Phase 2 would be extending that number to 14 days.

One of the other criteria for entering Phase 2 is increasing the amount of testing that's being done for COVID-19. Last week, District residents started taking advantage of free walk-up testing sites at eight D.C. Fire and EMS stations around the city.

In just one week, the new stations have helped the District to more than double the number of tests it conducted compared to the previous week. For the week of June 1-7, District-supported tests numbered 1,534. From June 8-14, the number rose to 5,985.

"I think that's a testament to how people feel about their local firehouse and our Fire and EMS personnel," Bowser said.

To build on that success, the District is expanding its firehouse testing to four sites a day, rather than the previous two a day:

D.C. Fire and EMS personnel are volunteering in their off-hours to administer the free tests to anyone who walks up to one of the eight stations where the tests are being offered.

The District is now offering free COVID-19 testing for children 6 and up at Children's Hospital. Previously, the minimum age for testing was 18. Children's Hospital will continue to offer free walk-up and drive-thru testing for its pediatric patients.

Anyone who is sick, including children, should not show up at one of the District's testing facilities, Bowser said. They should instead contact their health care provider beforehand for screening.

In addition, D.C. Health is now making free antibody testing available for District residents, according to Bowser. This test does not tell whether the patient has COVID-19. Instead, it shows if the patient had previously had the disease. These tests will help D.C. Health to track exposure rates in the city. Those wishing to schedule an appointment for an antibody test may call 1-855-363-0333.

Bowser said she would be providing an update later in the week about when the District would enter Phase 2.

This news came on the second day in a row the D.C. Health reported no new deaths due to COVID-19. The total number of deaths in the District to the disease stands at 515. D.C. Health also confirmed 32 new positive cases of COVID-19, Monday, bringing the District's total number of positive cases to 9,799.

Globally, more than 7.9 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 434,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Monday morning. In the United States, more than 2 million people have been infected and over 115,000 people have died from COVID-19.

According to D.C. Health, 65,846 COVID-19 tests have been administered in the District, 52,448 D.C. residents have been tested, and 1,155 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 196 in-use ventilators and 76 COVID-19 positive ICU patients.

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

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