Health Officials Warn DC Residents To Follow COVID-19 Guidelines

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. residents who tested positive for COVID-19, the illness associated the new coronavirus, reported they participated in activities that put them at higher risk for contracting the disease two weeks before they tested positive or were symptomatic. Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, director of the D.C. Department of Health, shared this data during a Wednesday afternoon press briefing.

Of the 374 individuals D.C. Health interviewed the week of Oct. 2-8, 24.6 percent said they had attended a social event, 21.7 percent had gone to work, and 20.9 percent visited a restaurant or bar.

"We classify social events in terms of activities or events in where there were at least five or more attendees," Nesbitt said. "Approximately half of these events had five to 10 attendees reported, and almost 80 percent had 20 or fewer individuals in attendance."

In addition, approximately 63 percent of the social events were reported by the individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 and who did not consistently adhere to the social distancing recommendations, such as maintaining six feet of distance between individuals or wearing a mask. This was regardless of whether the event took place indoors or outdoors.

"This suggests to us a phenomena that is happening across the country when we speak to our colleagues in other cities that people are very comfortable with becoming relaxed when they attend gatherings that are hosted by their friends and family," Nesbitt said. "And suggesting that you are more likely to remove your mask, have casual conversation in close proximity when there is an event that is hosted by a close friend or relative."

Nesbitt wanted people to think about this when they are planning to host or attend social events or gatherings.

"It is critically important that we continue to adhere to the social distancing guidelines that we have advised," Nesbitt said. She also reminded people that it was safe to be in the workplace, provided they followed all of the safety guidelines.

D.C. Health confirmed 64 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. That's up from the 46 reported on Tuesday. This brings the District's total number of positive cases to date to 16,132.

D.C. Health reported one additional death due to COVID-19 on Wednesday. The death is described as an 87-year-old man. The total number of deaths in the District stands at 638.

According to D.C. Health, 448,262 coronavirus tests have been administered in the District, 235,263 residents have been tested, and 12,627 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 172 in-use ventilators out of a total of 440 available. Also, there are 24 COVID-19-positive ICU patients.

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Globally, more than 38.3 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 1 million people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Tuesday morning. In the United States, more than 7.8 million people have been infected and over 216,000 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.

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