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| Metro scales back, D.C. and Virginia schools close as coronavirus pandemic expands | Metro scales back, D.C. and Virginia schools close as coronavirus pandemic expands |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Metro announced reductions in service on Friday and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam closed school for two weeks amid a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the region and increased concerns over testing. | Metro announced reductions in service on Friday and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam closed school for two weeks amid a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the region and increased concerns over testing. |
| The transit agency said in will cut back on the frequency of trains starting Monday, and Metrobuses will operated on a Saturday schedule Monday through Friday. The changes will help Metro workers stay safe and allow for even more stringent disinfecting of its railcars and buses due to the coronavirus pandemic. | The transit agency said in will cut back on the frequency of trains starting Monday, and Metrobuses will operated on a Saturday schedule Monday through Friday. The changes will help Metro workers stay safe and allow for even more stringent disinfecting of its railcars and buses due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Northam’s announcement that schools must cease to operate statewide came shortly after three public school systems in Northern Virginia — Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church — said they would remain closed until mid-April. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser said the District’s traditional public schools would close and students would move to distance learning for the rest of the month. | |
| All Maryland public schools will close from March 16 through 27, state officials announced Thursday. | All Maryland public schools will close from March 16 through 27, state officials announced Thursday. |
| As of Friday afternoon, the number of reported cases in the region hovered around 59, with more diagnoses expected. Reported cases nearly doubled overnight in Virginia, rising to 30. Maryland has reported 18 cases and the District has reported 11 cases, although their official tallies have shifted because of the locations where some patients live or were tested. | As of Friday afternoon, the number of reported cases in the region hovered around 59, with more diagnoses expected. Reported cases nearly doubled overnight in Virginia, rising to 30. Maryland has reported 18 cases and the District has reported 11 cases, although their official tallies have shifted because of the locations where some patients live or were tested. |
| Live updates: The latest developments in the District, Maryland and Virginia | Live updates: The latest developments in the District, Maryland and Virginia |
| Trump administration has faced bipartisan criticism over US testing. The goverment on Friday announced steps to boost the availability of tests saying it would partner with the private sector to set up drive through testing sites. | Trump administration has faced bipartisan criticism over US testing. The goverment on Friday announced steps to boost the availability of tests saying it would partner with the private sector to set up drive through testing sites. |
| In the region, The Maryland General Assembly gave initial approval for a bill that gives Gov. Larry Hogan (R) the authority to reduce the cost of testing for the virus. | In the region, The Maryland General Assembly gave initial approval for a bill that gives Gov. Larry Hogan (R) the authority to reduce the cost of testing for the virus. |
| In the District, health officials say doctors who determine a covid-19 test is warranted will now be able to send samples to private labs, which have to share results with health offiicals. | In the District, health officials say doctors who determine a covid-19 test is warranted will now be able to send samples to private labs, which have to share results with health offiicals. |
| Hospital doctors and administrators in Virginia who met with Northam, himself a pediatrician,said they could use the state’s help accessing more testing kits and supplies. | Hospital doctors and administrators in Virginia who met with Northam, himself a pediatrician,said they could use the state’s help accessing more testing kits and supplies. |
| Rhodes Ritenour, vice president for external and regulatory affairs for Bon Secours Health System, said he hoped the state could “ramp up” telemedicine, which is the ability to treat patients online. | Rhodes Ritenour, vice president for external and regulatory affairs for Bon Secours Health System, said he hoped the state could “ramp up” telemedicine, which is the ability to treat patients online. |
| Maryland lawmakers on Friday fast-tracked legislation to lift restrictions on telemedicine in the state. | Maryland lawmakers on Friday fast-tracked legislation to lift restrictions on telemedicine in the state. |
| Ritenour said that doctors in states that haven’t been hard hit might have the capacity to treat Virginia patients via telemedicine, but can’t do so now if they’re not licensed to practice in Virginia. If the federal government doesn’t ease regulations, he wondered if neighboring states could form a sort of compact to allow it. | Ritenour said that doctors in states that haven’t been hard hit might have the capacity to treat Virginia patients via telemedicine, but can’t do so now if they’re not licensed to practice in Virginia. If the federal government doesn’t ease regulations, he wondered if neighboring states could form a sort of compact to allow it. |
| He also suggested that medical supplies could be similarly shared among states. | He also suggested that medical supplies could be similarly shared among states. |
| “We’ve been working on it for a number of years actually,” Northam said in a gathering with reporters afterward. “But I think this is a good example of why telehealth and access to broadband for all Virginia is so important. | “We’ve been working on it for a number of years actually,” Northam said in a gathering with reporters afterward. “But I think this is a good example of why telehealth and access to broadband for all Virginia is so important. |
| Hogan the state is trying to “ramp up and catch up” to dealing with the coronavirus threat, and that he doubts the country can expand testing enough to meet demand. | Hogan the state is trying to “ramp up and catch up” to dealing with the coronavirus threat, and that he doubts the country can expand testing enough to meet demand. |
| “I don’t believe they can ramp up fast enough,” Hogan, chair of the National Governors Association, said during an interview Friday on MSNBC. | “I don’t believe they can ramp up fast enough,” Hogan, chair of the National Governors Association, said during an interview Friday on MSNBC. |
| The governor said his focus has shifted from ramping up testing capabilities to bracing for “surges” in emergency rooms and hospitals. | The governor said his focus has shifted from ramping up testing capabilities to bracing for “surges” in emergency rooms and hospitals. |
| “Frankly, at some point soon, we’re not going to be into testing as much because the hospitals will be overwhelmed and unable to do the tests,” he said. | “Frankly, at some point soon, we’re not going to be into testing as much because the hospitals will be overwhelmed and unable to do the tests,” he said. |
| Concerns over the pandemic continued to halt daily life in the Washington region. | Concerns over the pandemic continued to halt daily life in the Washington region. |
| Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) raised the possibility of adjourning the 90-day legislative session early for the first time since the Civil War. | Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) raised the possibility of adjourning the 90-day legislative session early for the first time since the Civil War. |
| The state house is already closed to visitors and public witnesses, as lawmakers race to finish work on hundreds of outstanding bills. Ferguson said the decision will be made on a “day by day” basis. | The state house is already closed to visitors and public witnesses, as lawmakers race to finish work on hundreds of outstanding bills. Ferguson said the decision will be made on a “day by day” basis. |
| So you need a coronavirus test? It’s not that simple. | So you need a coronavirus test? It’s not that simple. |
| Montgomery District Judge Patricia Mitchell issued an order Friday morning stopping all evictions for 15 days in Montgomery County, the state’s most populous jurisdiction. Council member Will Jawando (D-At Large), who worked with the county’s sheriff to recommend the order, said it will help the county’s 300,000 tenants keep a roof over their heads as the state takes dramatic steps to curtail the spread of the virus. | Montgomery District Judge Patricia Mitchell issued an order Friday morning stopping all evictions for 15 days in Montgomery County, the state’s most populous jurisdiction. Council member Will Jawando (D-At Large), who worked with the county’s sheriff to recommend the order, said it will help the county’s 300,000 tenants keep a roof over their heads as the state takes dramatic steps to curtail the spread of the virus. |
| In the District, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum said it would close as of Saturday through at least March 29. The National Archives said it was closing its research rooms and presidential libraries because of the virus, also effective Saturday, until further notice. | In the District, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum said it would close as of Saturday through at least March 29. The National Archives said it was closing its research rooms and presidential libraries because of the virus, also effective Saturday, until further notice. |
| D.C. health officials said they adopted emergency rules Friday banning gatherings of 250 or more people and no more than 10 people from populations deemed at-risk populations, including those over 60 and people with chronic medical conditions and compromised immune systems. The ban does not apply to schools, workplaces, residential buildings and health care facilities. Officials also urged cancellation of senior citizen activities and gatherings. | D.C. health officials said they adopted emergency rules Friday banning gatherings of 250 or more people and no more than 10 people from populations deemed at-risk populations, including those over 60 and people with chronic medical conditions and compromised immune systems. The ban does not apply to schools, workplaces, residential buildings and health care facilities. Officials also urged cancellation of senior citizen activities and gatherings. |
| Bowser announced the closure of the District’s public library system as of Monday. The system has more than two dozen branches, which in addition to serving the general public are a valued oasis for residents without internet access, including the homeless. | Bowser announced the closure of the District’s public library system as of Monday. The system has more than two dozen branches, which in addition to serving the general public are a valued oasis for residents without internet access, including the homeless. |
| Late Thursday night, Montgomery County Maryland, said its public libraries would close as well. | Late Thursday night, Montgomery County Maryland, said its public libraries would close as well. |
| The District’s iconic Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, which was scheduled for April 4, has been canceled, organizers said. D.C. health officials recommended earlier this week that large gatherings be postponed in response to mounting concerns over the virus. | The District’s iconic Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, which was scheduled for April 4, has been canceled, organizers said. D.C. health officials recommended earlier this week that large gatherings be postponed in response to mounting concerns over the virus. |
| Meanwhile, residents stocked up on supplies, filling their carts with cases of bleach, paper towels, food and alcohol at a Costco off South Dakota Avenue in Northeast Washington. The store was so crowded that entry was temporarily denied to some customers. | Meanwhile, residents stocked up on supplies, filling their carts with cases of bleach, paper towels, food and alcohol at a Costco off South Dakota Avenue in Northeast Washington. The store was so crowded that entry was temporarily denied to some customers. |
| A few helpful people pointed out likely parking spaces to wandering motorists. | A few helpful people pointed out likely parking spaces to wandering motorists. |
| One woman blamed President Trump for the situation. | One woman blamed President Trump for the situation. |
| Another blamed the devil. Another blamed fear of the unknown. | Another blamed the devil. Another blamed fear of the unknown. |
| Vozzella contributed from Richmond. Michael E. Ruane, Justin George, Erin Cox and Rebecca Tan contributed to this report. | Vozzella contributed from Richmond. Michael E. Ruane, Justin George, Erin Cox and Rebecca Tan contributed to this report. |
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