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| D.C.’s first coronavirus case is church rector; Virginia has second presumptive case, bringing region’s total to 7 | D.C.’s first coronavirus case is church rector; Virginia has second presumptive case, bringing region’s total to 7 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The first confirmed case of coronavirus in the District is the rector of Christ Church Georgetown, church and city officials said Sunday. | The first confirmed case of coronavirus in the District is the rector of Christ Church Georgetown, church and city officials said Sunday. |
| The Rev. Timothy Cole, the church’s top-ranking clergy, tested positive on Saturday, a church official said. D.C. officials confirmed he was the same man in his 50s with no recent international travel whom they identified as the first presumptive case. | The Rev. Timothy Cole, the church’s top-ranking clergy, tested positive on Saturday, a church official said. D.C. officials confirmed he was the same man in his 50s with no recent international travel whom they identified as the first presumptive case. |
| The historic Episcopal church canceled Sunday services — the first cancellation since a fire in the 19th century — and has been calling and emailing parishioners. Cole has been hospitalized since Thursday and is in stable condition, officials said. | The historic Episcopal church canceled Sunday services — the first cancellation since a fire in the 19th century — and has been calling and emailing parishioners. Cole has been hospitalized since Thursday and is in stable condition, officials said. |
| Cole fell ill shortly after attending an episcopal conference in Louisville on Feb 22, church spokesman Rob Volmer said. Cole’s health improved before he attended church events last weekend, and deteriorated early this week before his Thursday hospitalization. | |
| Volmer said Cole was present for four services last Sunday attended by 550 people. Cole provided Communion to parishioners during the 11:15 a.m. service, Volmer said, and washed his hands before handing out the bread. | Volmer said Cole was present for four services last Sunday attended by 550 people. Cole provided Communion to parishioners during the 11:15 a.m. service, Volmer said, and washed his hands before handing out the bread. |
| Cole did not appear to show symptoms then, had been vigilant about using hand sanitizer available throughout the church and washing his hands, and had spent part of his services reminding parishioners about good hygiene practices, Volmer said. His wife and son are self-quarantined at their home. | Cole did not appear to show symptoms then, had been vigilant about using hand sanitizer available throughout the church and washing his hands, and had spent part of his services reminding parishioners about good hygiene practices, Volmer said. His wife and son are self-quarantined at their home. |
| Cole told parishioners there was “no need to panic” in an email Sunday. | Cole told parishioners there was “no need to panic” in an email Sunday. |
| “First, I want to assure you that I will be okay,” Cole wrote. “I am receiving excellent care and am in good spirits under the circumstances. I will remain quarantined for the next 14 days as will the rest of my family.” | “First, I want to assure you that I will be okay,” Cole wrote. “I am receiving excellent care and am in good spirits under the circumstances. I will remain quarantined for the next 14 days as will the rest of my family.” |
| Coronavirus threatens one of the most holy Christian traditions: Communion | Coronavirus threatens one of the most holy Christian traditions: Communion |
| Meanwhile, Virginia announced its second presumptive case, involving a resident of Fairfax City. The person in his or her 80s “traveled on a similar Nile cruise” as other patients who have tested positive, the Virginia Department of Health said. The resident showed signs of a respiratory illness Feb. 28 and was hospitalized Thursday. The person is in stable condition. | Meanwhile, Virginia announced its second presumptive case, involving a resident of Fairfax City. The person in his or her 80s “traveled on a similar Nile cruise” as other patients who have tested positive, the Virginia Department of Health said. The resident showed signs of a respiratory illness Feb. 28 and was hospitalized Thursday. The person is in stable condition. |
| State officials say both Virginia cases pose low risk of exposure to the general public. | State officials say both Virginia cases pose low risk of exposure to the general public. |
| The Fairfax resident had “very little exposure” to the community after returning home and had no interaction with school-age children before being hospitalized, Benjamin Schwartz, Fairfax County’s lead epidemiologist said at a Sunday afternoon news conference. His spouse is not showing symptoms of Covid-19 but is currently being tested. | The Fairfax resident had “very little exposure” to the community after returning home and had no interaction with school-age children before being hospitalized, Benjamin Schwartz, Fairfax County’s lead epidemiologist said at a Sunday afternoon news conference. His spouse is not showing symptoms of Covid-19 but is currently being tested. |
| The total number of cases in the Washington region has reached seven. The announcement about the Fairfax City resident came less than a day after Virginia announced its first presumptive positive patient — a U.S. Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir. The Marine had returned recently from “official business” overseas, tweeted Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs. | The total number of cases in the Washington region has reached seven. The announcement about the Fairfax City resident came less than a day after Virginia announced its first presumptive positive patient — a U.S. Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir. The Marine had returned recently from “official business” overseas, tweeted Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs. |
| The Department of Defense is leading the effort to trace his contacts, local authorities said. It is not immediately clear whether he interacted with school age children or the elderly before being hospitalized. | The Department of Defense is leading the effort to trace his contacts, local authorities said. It is not immediately clear whether he interacted with school age children or the elderly before being hospitalized. |
| And organizers of the Conservative Political Action Conference said a person who attended their event at Maryland’s National Harbor in late February had been infected. | And organizers of the Conservative Political Action Conference said a person who attended their event at Maryland’s National Harbor in late February had been infected. |
| Coronavirus in the DMV: What you need to know | Coronavirus in the DMV: What you need to know |
| On Thursday, Maryland health officials announced that three individuals in Montgomery County — a couple in their 70s and an unrelated woman in her 50s — tested positive for the virus after returning home from a cruise on the Nile. The three patients are recovering from flu-like symptoms but are in good condition. | On Thursday, Maryland health officials announced that three individuals in Montgomery County — a couple in their 70s and an unrelated woman in her 50s — tested positive for the virus after returning home from a cruise on the Nile. The three patients are recovering from flu-like symptoms but are in good condition. |
| On Saturday, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) also announced the District’s second presumptive case: a visitor who stayed in the District before testing positive for the virus in a Maryland hospital. | On Saturday, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) also announced the District’s second presumptive case: a visitor who stayed in the District before testing positive for the virus in a Maryland hospital. |
| Bowser (D) said Saturday that Cole, whose name was not given at the time, is not believed to have traveled outside the United States or been in close contact with anyone else who is infected. | Bowser (D) said Saturday that Cole, whose name was not given at the time, is not believed to have traveled outside the United States or been in close contact with anyone else who is infected. |
| The mayor said the other person who developed symptoms of covid-19 is still hospitalized in Maryland. She did not give details of his condition. Covid-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. | The mayor said the other person who developed symptoms of covid-19 is still hospitalized in Maryland. She did not give details of his condition. Covid-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. |
| D.C. health department officials are conducting “contact tracing” investigations to determine with whom the two men came into contact. | D.C. health department officials are conducting “contact tracing” investigations to determine with whom the two men came into contact. |
| “Our message to D.C. residents continues to be: Help us prevent the spread of germs and stay informed,” Bowser said at a news conference Saturday night at the Wilson Building. | “Our message to D.C. residents continues to be: Help us prevent the spread of germs and stay informed,” Bowser said at a news conference Saturday night at the Wilson Building. |
| Live updates: The latest news on the coronavirus from around the world | Live updates: The latest news on the coronavirus from around the world |
| She urged residents to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to wash hands, cover coughs and stay home if sick. The mayor said she has no plans to cancel District-sponsored events. | She urged residents to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to wash hands, cover coughs and stay home if sick. The mayor said she has no plans to cancel District-sponsored events. |
| “We recognize that it is fluid, and every day we will monitor the situation on the ground in the District,” Bowser said. “We put the safety of D.C. residents first.” | “We recognize that it is fluid, and every day we will monitor the situation on the ground in the District,” Bowser said. “We put the safety of D.C. residents first.” |
| Jenifer Smith, director of the D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences, said the city’s public lab can test 50 people a day. Testing capabilities in the District will increase when private labs receive testing kits. | Jenifer Smith, director of the D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences, said the city’s public lab can test 50 people a day. Testing capabilities in the District will increase when private labs receive testing kits. |
| The Marine who tested positive is being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Rath Hoffman said. | The Marine who tested positive is being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Rath Hoffman said. |
| The Virginia Department of Health said the state government is working with officials at the hospital. It said there has been no evidence of coronavirus spreading in the state, and the risk to the general public remains low. | The Virginia Department of Health said the state government is working with officials at the hospital. It said there has been no evidence of coronavirus spreading in the state, and the risk to the general public remains low. |
| As of Sunday, Virginia has two test kits with the capacity to test up to 400 people — an adequate amount given the existing cases, said Dr. Denise Toney, the state’s director of lab services. More test kits are on their way, she added. | As of Sunday, Virginia has two test kits with the capacity to test up to 400 people — an adequate amount given the existing cases, said Dr. Denise Toney, the state’s director of lab services. More test kits are on their way, she added. |
| Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said state officials had discussed the CPAC-related infection with the CDC, the White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the state health agency in New Jersey, where the person was reportedly hospitalized. | Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said state officials had discussed the CPAC-related infection with the CDC, the White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the state health agency in New Jersey, where the person was reportedly hospitalized. |
| Hogan (R) urged people who attended the conference in Prince George’s County to take their temperature twice a day and notify their health-care provider and local health department if that temperature exceeds 100.4 or if they develop a cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Anyone with those symptoms should remain at home until they receive instructions about next steps from their health-care provider or local health department, Hogan said in a statement. | Hogan (R) urged people who attended the conference in Prince George’s County to take their temperature twice a day and notify their health-care provider and local health department if that temperature exceeds 100.4 or if they develop a cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Anyone with those symptoms should remain at home until they receive instructions about next steps from their health-care provider or local health department, Hogan said in a statement. |
| Coronavirus in the DMV: What you need to know | Coronavirus in the DMV: What you need to know |
| President Trump and Vice President Pence both attended the conference. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that the White House is aware of the patient and added that “at this time there is no indication” that either Trump or Pence “met with or were in close proximity to the attendee.” | President Trump and Vice President Pence both attended the conference. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that the White House is aware of the patient and added that “at this time there is no indication” that either Trump or Pence “met with or were in close proximity to the attendee.” |
| Maryland lawmakers who went to CPAC said they spent Saturday evening texting friends to check their health after learning a conference attendee had been diagnosed with coronavirus. | Maryland lawmakers who went to CPAC said they spent Saturday evening texting friends to check their health after learning a conference attendee had been diagnosed with coronavirus. |
| “None of us are sick,” said Del. Lauren R. Arikan (R-Harford). But Arikan, who is 24 weeks pregnant, said she is now second-guessing her decision to attend the event. | “None of us are sick,” said Del. Lauren R. Arikan (R-Harford). But Arikan, who is 24 weeks pregnant, said she is now second-guessing her decision to attend the event. |
| “I almost didn’t go because … of the virus, but I didn’t want to be one of those nutty people staying in,” she said. “I didn’t want to overreact, but now I feel like I underreacted.” | “I almost didn’t go because … of the virus, but I didn’t want to be one of those nutty people staying in,” she said. “I didn’t want to overreact, but now I feel like I underreacted.” |
| Arikan said she spent the majority of her time in the main hall. The infected person was not in that area, according to an email CPAC organizers sent to attendees. | Arikan said she spent the majority of her time in the main hall. The infected person was not in that area, according to an email CPAC organizers sent to attendees. |
| “We were obsessively washing our hands, going to the bathroom, washing our hands,” she said, noting that attendees weren’t allowed to carry purses, so she had no hand sanitizer with her. “But now I think about it, the bathroom is where sick people are.” | “We were obsessively washing our hands, going to the bathroom, washing our hands,” she said, noting that attendees weren’t allowed to carry purses, so she had no hand sanitizer with her. “But now I think about it, the bathroom is where sick people are.” |
| Del. Matt Morgan (R-St. Mary’s) attended the conference with his wife and daughters. None are showing any symptoms, he said, and he thinks there is little chance his family was exposed. | Del. Matt Morgan (R-St. Mary’s) attended the conference with his wife and daughters. None are showing any symptoms, he said, and he thinks there is little chance his family was exposed. |
| “We were all there for a short amount of time … It wasn’t like we were shaking hands,” he said. | “We were all there for a short amount of time … It wasn’t like we were shaking hands,” he said. |
| Del. Sid A. Saab (R-Anne Arundel) said he received the email from conference organizers on Saturday afternoon. The email said to “remain calm and to listen to health providers,” he said. “I feel fine,” Saab said, adding that he is not anxious because he has sat in on briefings with the state health department. “I’ve been washing my hands.” | Del. Sid A. Saab (R-Anne Arundel) said he received the email from conference organizers on Saturday afternoon. The email said to “remain calm and to listen to health providers,” he said. “I feel fine,” Saab said, adding that he is not anxious because he has sat in on briefings with the state health department. “I’ve been washing my hands.” |
| Meanwhile, officials said no residents or staff members have tested positive for or exhibited symptoms of coronavirus at the Village of Rockville, a sprawling retirement community that was visited on Feb. 28 by one of the patients in Montgomery County. | Meanwhile, officials said no residents or staff members have tested positive for or exhibited symptoms of coronavirus at the Village of Rockville, a sprawling retirement community that was visited on Feb. 28 by one of the patients in Montgomery County. |
| How to sign up for our free coronavirus newsletter (with relaxed paywall) | How to sign up for our free coronavirus newsletter (with relaxed paywall) |
| Allison Combs, a spokeswoman from the Village, said the facility had been screening residents and employees for symptoms associated with coronavirus even before Hogan announced Friday night that the woman who tested positive had been there. | Allison Combs, a spokeswoman from the Village, said the facility had been screening residents and employees for symptoms associated with coronavirus even before Hogan announced Friday night that the woman who tested positive had been there. |
| Staffers at the Village are working to identify the individuals who were with her at the Feb. 28 post-funeral reception for a former resident. Those individuals would then undergo more frequent screening. It is unclear how many Village residents were there. | Staffers at the Village are working to identify the individuals who were with her at the Feb. 28 post-funeral reception for a former resident. Those individuals would then undergo more frequent screening. It is unclear how many Village residents were there. |
| The Maryland Department of Health has not recommended that attendees of the Feb. 28 event be quarantined, Combs said. Out of an abundance of caution, the Village — a 27-acre retirement community that houses about 300 people — has reduced visiting hours and postponed all gatherings and public events. | The Maryland Department of Health has not recommended that attendees of the Feb. 28 event be quarantined, Combs said. Out of an abundance of caution, the Village — a 27-acre retirement community that houses about 300 people — has reduced visiting hours and postponed all gatherings and public events. |
| Hogan said attendees of the event should contact health officials and watch for symptoms. | Hogan said attendees of the event should contact health officials and watch for symptoms. |
| On Friday, the grandson of the man whose funeral the patient attended called a phone number provided by the state and was told he did not need to be tested because he was not showing flu-like symptoms. | On Friday, the grandson of the man whose funeral the patient attended called a phone number provided by the state and was told he did not need to be tested because he was not showing flu-like symptoms. |
| “It has made it a lot more real,” the grandson said. “Honestly, the past week or so, I grew sick of the name ‘coronavirus.’ But it has driven it a lot closer to home, knowing that the event in question was my grandfather’s shiva.” | “It has made it a lot more real,” the grandson said. “Honestly, the past week or so, I grew sick of the name ‘coronavirus.’ But it has driven it a lot closer to home, knowing that the event in question was my grandfather’s shiva.” |
| Peggy Shelly of New York said she has not received information or been able to get in contact with her 96-year-old mother at the Village, which used to be called the National Lutheran Home and is located on Veirs Drive, about two miles west of Interstate 270. | Peggy Shelly of New York said she has not received information or been able to get in contact with her 96-year-old mother at the Village, which used to be called the National Lutheran Home and is located on Veirs Drive, about two miles west of Interstate 270. |
| “I’m a little bit surprised that the management at the Village haven’t reached out to us,” she said Saturday. “The only information I have is pulled from Twitter.” | “I’m a little bit surprised that the management at the Village haven’t reached out to us,” she said Saturday. “The only information I have is pulled from Twitter.” |
| Combs said they have sent out information to all family members who provided their emails to the Village. | Combs said they have sent out information to all family members who provided their emails to the Village. |
| This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | This is a developing story. Check back for updates. |