First 2 Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Cases Reported In DC

WASHINGTON, DC — The first two presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser said Saturday. The first test — a D.C. resident in his 50s who appears to have not traveled outside the United States — was done at the Public Health Lab at the DC Department of Forensic Sciences.

Bowser said at a Saturday night briefing on the case of COVID-19 that a second person visited D.C. and then presented with symptoms in Maryland, NBC Washington reported.

Also on Saturday came word that the first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Virginia. A U.S Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, tested positive for the illness Saturday, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Marine had recently come back to the United States after traveling overseas for official business, said Jonathan Rath Hoffman, chief spokesman for the Pentagon.

Currently, the Marine is being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, according to Hoffman.

And Maryland officials said Saturday that a New Jersey resident who attended the Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbor in Maryland has been diagnosed with the virus.

While attendees at the political conference included President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, they were not exposed to the new coronavirus because the person diagnosed with the illness had no contact with them and was not in the main hall, according to WRC-TV.

Maryland health officials said anyone who attended the event should take their temperature twice a day. If it exceeds 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or if they develop a respiratory illness, they should contact their health care provider and remain at home until getting further instructions, according to state authorities.

On Saturday, the New Jersey Department of Health notified the Maryland Department of Health that a person who tested positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, was in Maryland from Feb. 27 to March 1 for the conference.

Don't miss updates about coronavirus precautions in Washington, DC as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

On Thursday, three Maryland residents tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to Gov. Larry Hogan. These are the first cases of the novel coronavirus confirmed in Maryland. All three are from Montgomery County.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.