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| D.C. officials say ‘non-essential mass gatherings’ should be canceled or postponed | D.C. officials say ‘non-essential mass gatherings’ should be canceled or postponed |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| This is a developing story. It will be updated. | This is a developing story. It will be updated. |
| D.C. Health Department officials are recommending that “non-essential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions,” be postponed or canceled in the nation’s capital. | D.C. Health Department officials are recommending that “non-essential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions,” be postponed or canceled in the nation’s capital. |
| The recommendation is in effect through March 31. | The recommendation is in effect through March 31. |
| “Mass gatherings are defined as events where 1,000 or more people congregate in a specific location,” the city said Wednesday in a health advisory. | |
| “We also recommend that any social, cultural, or entertainment events where large crowds are anticipated be reconsidered by the organizer.” | “We also recommend that any social, cultural, or entertainment events where large crowds are anticipated be reconsidered by the organizer.” |
| Officials made the announcement as Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam reported a 9th coronavirus victim in that state, bringing the number of people testing positive for covid-19 in the District, Maryland and Virginia as of Wednesday morning to 23. | |
| Live updates: See the latest news on the coronavirus here | Live updates: See the latest news on the coronavirus here |
| Also Wednesday, organizers announced the District’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which was to be held Sunday, would be postponed because of concerns about the virus. | Also Wednesday, organizers announced the District’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which was to be held Sunday, would be postponed because of concerns about the virus. |
| “This decision was not made lightly and was done out of caution to ensure the safety and health of the thousands of attendees from the Washington area that attend the parade every year,” said a message posted to the group’s website. | “This decision was not made lightly and was done out of caution to ensure the safety and health of the thousands of attendees from the Washington area that attend the parade every year,” said a message posted to the group’s website. |
| Among major events that bring thousands of visitors to the nation’s capital are the National Cherry Blossom festival, which starts March 20; the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on March 28, which attracts as many as 25,000 runners and thousands more spectators; numerous performances at the Kennedy Center and the Anthem and professional sporting events. | Among major events that bring thousands of visitors to the nation’s capital are the National Cherry Blossom festival, which starts March 20; the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on March 28, which attracts as many as 25,000 runners and thousands more spectators; numerous performances at the Kennedy Center and the Anthem and professional sporting events. |
| The Capitals and Wizards have games lined up in the next week at Capital One Arena, but Opening Day for the World Series champion Washington Nationals is not until April, a few days after the time frame specified by D.C. officials. | The Capitals and Wizards have games lined up in the next week at Capital One Arena, but Opening Day for the World Series champion Washington Nationals is not until April, a few days after the time frame specified by D.C. officials. |
| City health officials have expanded a self-quarantine recommendation for people who visited a church at the center of three confirmed coronavirus cases, and D.C. Public Schools said it would close Monday to give teachers a chance to prepare for distance learning for students. The school system shifted a teacher training day from March 20 to March 16 to do the preparations as quickly as possible. | City health officials have expanded a self-quarantine recommendation for people who visited a church at the center of three confirmed coronavirus cases, and D.C. Public Schools said it would close Monday to give teachers a chance to prepare for distance learning for students. The school system shifted a teacher training day from March 20 to March 16 to do the preparations as quickly as possible. |
| Northam (D) said the latest Virginia case was a person in the Chickahominy Health District, in the area of Hanover County. Officials said the person had traveled to a country that was experiencing an outbreak, but did not give additional details. | Northam (D) said the latest Virginia case was a person in the Chickahominy Health District, in the area of Hanover County. Officials said the person had traveled to a country that was experiencing an outbreak, but did not give additional details. |
| In the District, three cases have been reported that are connected to Christ Church, a historic Episcopal congregation. Rev. Timothy Cole, 59, the church rector, was diagnosed with the virus, as was the church organist and a member from Loudoun County. | In the District, three cases have been reported that are connected to Christ Church, a historic Episcopal congregation. Rev. Timothy Cole, 59, the church rector, was diagnosed with the virus, as was the church organist and a member from Loudoun County. |
| The church emailed parishioners Wednesday to tell them that D.C. health officials have expanded the self-quarantine recommendation announced Monday, to account for days the organist was there. | The church emailed parishioners Wednesday to tell them that D.C. health officials have expanded the self-quarantine recommendation announced Monday, to account for days the organist was there. |
| Coronavirus in the DMV: What you need to know | |
| In addition to people who were at the church on Feb. 24 or between Feb. 28 and March 3, those who were there from March 4-6 should also self quarantine, the email said. The email said the organist played at a funeral on March 6 and those who attended that service are also being alerted. | In addition to people who were at the church on Feb. 24 or between Feb. 28 and March 3, those who were there from March 4-6 should also self quarantine, the email said. The email said the organist played at a funeral on March 6 and those who attended that service are also being alerted. |
| City officials want people to isolate at home and monitor themselves for symptoms until two weeks have passed since their last time at the church. | City officials want people to isolate at home and monitor themselves for symptoms until two weeks have passed since their last time at the church. |
| Cole is hospitalized and in stable condition and the church organist is at home and said to be in “good spirits” with some mild symptoms, according to officials at the church. | Cole is hospitalized and in stable condition and the church organist is at home and said to be in “good spirits” with some mild symptoms, according to officials at the church. |
| The city’s health department said there is still “no widespread community transmission” of the virus, according to a message from D.C. Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee. | The city’s health department said there is still “no widespread community transmission” of the virus, according to a message from D.C. Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee. |
| Officials in the D.C. region have said those who are sick should stay at home and health experts are reminding people to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly. Those with compromised immune systems are also advised to take precautions. And anyone who develops a fever, cough or shortness of breath is advised to see a doctor and get tested. | Officials in the D.C. region have said those who are sick should stay at home and health experts are reminding people to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly. Those with compromised immune systems are also advised to take precautions. And anyone who develops a fever, cough or shortness of breath is advised to see a doctor and get tested. |
| Several colleges in the D.C. region are temporarily stopping in-person classes to try to stop the fast-spreading virus. In Virginia, Fairfax County Public Schools are preparing to have students do distance learning for the coming weeks. | |
| The federal government, the country's largest employer and the largest employer in the D.C. region, has told people to be prepared to work remotely full time. | The federal government, the country's largest employer and the largest employer in the D.C. region, has told people to be prepared to work remotely full time. |
| At a news conference Wednesday, Northam said steps were being taken in several agencies including schools, transportation and health to make sure the commonwealth is prepared to deal with the virus. He has not yet declared a state of emergency but said he is “prepared to do so.” | |
| Virginia officials said the state’s public lab has testing supplies for 300 to 400 patients, and they anticipate soon receiving additional tests to increase that capacity to 600. | |
| Until testing capacity increases, health department officials will give priority to people who have had contact with others with confirmed cases, who have traveled to impacted areas and who live in nursing homes. They said that anyone who has a fever, cough or difficulty breathing to call their doctor ahead of time rather than just showing up at the office to prevent the possible spread of infection. Private labs do not have to follow that criteria. | |
| Dr. Daniel Carey, Virginia’s secretary of Health and Human Resources, said that given the limited number of tests available, it makes sense for doctors to first test patients for flu, pneumonia or bacterial infections to rule those things out. | |
| He said there are enough tests available for anyone who meets the criteria for testing -- meaning they have traveled to a hot spot, had contact with a confirmed case or lives in a nursing home. | |
| “Who we test will change as the availably of testing increases,” Carey said. | |
| Vozzella reported from Richmond. Erin Cox and Luz Lazo contributed to this report. |