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| Bowser taps Michelle Obama, José Andrés, Adrian Fenty to help advise on reopening | Bowser taps Michelle Obama, José Andrés, Adrian Fenty to help advise on reopening |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free. For more free coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, sign up for our daily Coronavirus Updates newsletter where all stories are free to read. | The Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free. For more free coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, sign up for our daily Coronavirus Updates newsletter where all stories are free to read. |
| D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) has enlisted high-profile national figures — including Michelle Obama and celebrity chef José Andrés — to aid the city’s coronavirus response. | D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) has enlisted high-profile national figures — including Michelle Obama and celebrity chef José Andrés — to aid the city’s coronavirus response. |
| The former first lady has recorded robocalls and radio ads reminding Washingtonians to stay home to limit the spread of the highly contagious virus and offering information about testing sites, and Andrés is chairing the restaurant committee of the group that will advise on when it is safe to reopen businesses, schools and other establishments. | The former first lady has recorded robocalls and radio ads reminding Washingtonians to stay home to limit the spread of the highly contagious virus and offering information about testing sites, and Andrés is chairing the restaurant committee of the group that will advise on when it is safe to reopen businesses, schools and other establishments. |
| The group will be led by Susan E. Rice, who was then-President Obama’s national security adviser, and Michael Chertoff, then-President George W. Bush’s secretary of Homeland Security. | The group will be led by Susan E. Rice, who was then-President Obama’s national security adviser, and Michael Chertoff, then-President George W. Bush’s secretary of Homeland Security. |
| “We are dealing with a local, a national and a global pandemic,” Bowser said. “We have called on a great mix of people that embody all of those needs and have all of those experiences.” | “We are dealing with a local, a national and a global pandemic,” Bowser said. “We have called on a great mix of people that embody all of those needs and have all of those experiences.” |
| The District on Monday reported seven new deaths, including that of a 17-year-old boy. Bowser said officials are waiting to get more information about the youth but believe he died outside the city. The fatalities also included three residents in their 90s. | The District on Monday reported seven new deaths, including that of a 17-year-old boy. Bowser said officials are waiting to get more information about the youth but believe he died outside the city. The fatalities also included three residents in their 90s. |
| The per capita covid-19 death rate in the nation’s capital is the highest in the region: 27.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to a Washington Post tally. Prince George’s County, a majority black jurisdiction that has been especially hard-hit, had 21.8 deaths per 100,000 residents Monday, compared to 20.2 in Montgomery County, 8.8 in Fairfax and 11.5 in Alexandria. | The per capita covid-19 death rate in the nation’s capital is the highest in the region: 27.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to a Washington Post tally. Prince George’s County, a majority black jurisdiction that has been especially hard-hit, had 21.8 deaths per 100,000 residents Monday, compared to 20.2 in Montgomery County, 8.8 in Fairfax and 11.5 in Alexandria. |
| Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. | Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. |
| The total number of deaths across D.C., Maryland and Virginia as of Monday afternoon was 1,602, and the total number of cases was 36,958, with 1,522 new cases reported since Sunday. | The total number of deaths across D.C., Maryland and Virginia as of Monday afternoon was 1,602, and the total number of cases was 36,958, with 1,522 new cases reported since Sunday. |
| The per capita death rate in the three jurisdictions — in Maryland it is 15.8 per 100,000 residents and in Virginia it is 5.4 — is still dramatically lower than in states that have become hot spots for the virus, according to data from The Post and Johns Hopkins University. The states with the highest per capita death rates per 100,000 are New York with 115, New Jersey with 68 and Connecticut with 54. | The per capita death rate in the three jurisdictions — in Maryland it is 15.8 per 100,000 residents and in Virginia it is 5.4 — is still dramatically lower than in states that have become hot spots for the virus, according to data from The Post and Johns Hopkins University. The states with the highest per capita death rates per 100,000 are New York with 115, New Jersey with 68 and Connecticut with 54. |
| Officials in Maryland, the District and Virginia say they have not yet seen the downward trend in new cases or hospitalization rates that would allow them to ease the broad economic and societal shutdown, although the rates of increase have slowed. | Officials in Maryland, the District and Virginia say they have not yet seen the downward trend in new cases or hospitalization rates that would allow them to ease the broad economic and societal shutdown, although the rates of increase have slowed. |
| They are warning residents that it is important for them to stay home and continue practicing social distancing. | They are warning residents that it is important for them to stay home and continue practicing social distancing. |
| Covid-19 is ravaging one of the country’s wealthiest black counties | Covid-19 is ravaging one of the country’s wealthiest black counties |
| D.C. health director LaQuandra Nesbitt said she cannot draw conclusions about where people are contracting the virus because contact-tracing is still reserved for high-priority groups, such as health care workers and residents of homeless shelters. She said household transmissions appear to be a problem. | D.C. health director LaQuandra Nesbitt said she cannot draw conclusions about where people are contracting the virus because contact-tracing is still reserved for high-priority groups, such as health care workers and residents of homeless shelters. She said household transmissions appear to be a problem. |
| Hogan (R) said the administration is not surprised by the increased number of infections reported daily, because the state has ramped up testing. He also said the state expects its death numbers to increase because the tally lags behind infections by about two weeks. | Hogan (R) said the administration is not surprised by the increased number of infections reported daily, because the state has ramped up testing. He also said the state expects its death numbers to increase because the tally lags behind infections by about two weeks. |
| Approximately 40 percent of Maryland’s deaths are connected to nursing homes, Ricci said. Indeed, the Maryland county with the highest per capita covid-19 fatality rate is Carroll County, where at least 24 have died from Pleasant View Nursing Home. | Approximately 40 percent of Maryland’s deaths are connected to nursing homes, Ricci said. Indeed, the Maryland county with the highest per capita covid-19 fatality rate is Carroll County, where at least 24 have died from Pleasant View Nursing Home. |
| In Virginia’s Henrico County, where 40 people have died from Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, the fatality rate is 27.3 per 100,000 residents. | In Virginia’s Henrico County, where 40 people have died from Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, the fatality rate is 27.3 per 100,000 residents. |
| Ricci said Maryland is seeing a decline in the rate of positive tests as it tests a larger number of people. But according to data provided by the state and analyzed by The Post, the rate of positive tests in Maryland has been hovering at around 18 or 19 percent for the last two weeks. | Ricci said Maryland is seeing a decline in the rate of positive tests as it tests a larger number of people. But according to data provided by the state and analyzed by The Post, the rate of positive tests in Maryland has been hovering at around 18 or 19 percent for the last two weeks. |
| The state is opening testing sites at two additional vehicle inspection facilities, in Owings Mills and Prince Frederick, adding to sites already open at inspection facilities in White Oak, Columbia, Waldorf, Glen Burnie and Bel Air. | The state is opening testing sites at two additional vehicle inspection facilities, in Owings Mills and Prince Frederick, adding to sites already open at inspection facilities in White Oak, Columbia, Waldorf, Glen Burnie and Bel Air. |
| Patients must be Maryland residents and have an order from a doctor. | Patients must be Maryland residents and have an order from a doctor. |
| “Continuing to expand our testing capabilities even further in high-priority areas, including these drive-thru sites, is an essential part of our recovery plan,” Hogan said in a news release. | “Continuing to expand our testing capabilities even further in high-priority areas, including these drive-thru sites, is an essential part of our recovery plan,” Hogan said in a news release. |
| Reopening the DMV: When officials say it will be safe | Reopening the DMV: When officials say it will be safe |
| D.C.’s reopening advisory group will issue its recommendations by the week of May 11, officials said. Democratic operative Donna Brazile is helping lead a committee focused on racial disparities and vulnerable groups. | D.C.’s reopening advisory group will issue its recommendations by the week of May 11, officials said. Democratic operative Donna Brazile is helping lead a committee focused on racial disparities and vulnerable groups. |
| Bowser recruited her political mentor, former mayor Adrian Fenty, to oversee committees related to open space and health care work forces. Fenty has mostly stayed out of D.C. affairs since losing reelection in 2010 and moving to California. | Bowser recruited her political mentor, former mayor Adrian Fenty, to oversee committees related to open space and health care work forces. Fenty has mostly stayed out of D.C. affairs since losing reelection in 2010 and moving to California. |
| The city is launching a survey to gauge public opinion on reopening, and will hold a virtual town hall on the subject Wednesday night. | The city is launching a survey to gauge public opinion on reopening, and will hold a virtual town hall on the subject Wednesday night. |
| Bowser also announced Monday how she would allocate $25 million authorized by the D.C. Council to local hospitals to prepare for a possible influx of covid-19 patients. | Bowser also announced Monday how she would allocate $25 million authorized by the D.C. Council to local hospitals to prepare for a possible influx of covid-19 patients. |
| George Washington University Hospital gets the biggest grant, at $5 million. Howard University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center will each receive more than $4 million. Sibley Memorial Hospital and the public safety net hospital United Medical Center will get about $3.5 million, while the city awarded nearly $2 million to Children’s National Hospital and $1.2 million for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. | George Washington University Hospital gets the biggest grant, at $5 million. Howard University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center will each receive more than $4 million. Sibley Memorial Hospital and the public safety net hospital United Medical Center will get about $3.5 million, while the city awarded nearly $2 million to Children’s National Hospital and $1.2 million for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. |
| BridgePoint facilities in National Harbor and Capitol Hll each will receive more than $1.1. million, while the Psychatric Institute of Washington gets almost $250,000. | |
| The funding, which hospitals will receive Friday, was part of emergency relief legislation and is split up based on how many new beds the hospitals can provide for a surge in covid-19 hospitalizations. The grants can be used for staff, procuring equipment and building temporary or expanded facilities for coronavirus testing and treatment. | The funding, which hospitals will receive Friday, was part of emergency relief legislation and is split up based on how many new beds the hospitals can provide for a surge in covid-19 hospitalizations. The grants can be used for staff, procuring equipment and building temporary or expanded facilities for coronavirus testing and treatment. |
| Need to get tested? Here are your options in D.C., Maryland and Virginia | Need to get tested? Here are your options in D.C., Maryland and Virginia |
| Also on Monday, officials said the number of Maryland prison inmates testing positve for covid-19 had grown to 50, and the number of correctional officers confirmed to have the virus had risen to 157. | Also on Monday, officials said the number of Maryland prison inmates testing positve for covid-19 had grown to 50, and the number of correctional officers confirmed to have the virus had risen to 157. |
| The prison system has reported one death: An inmate from the Jessup Correctional Institution, who was in his 60s and had underlying health issues. | The prison system has reported one death: An inmate from the Jessup Correctional Institution, who was in his 60s and had underlying health issues. |
| Jessup Correctional reports the highest infection total of any facility in the state, with 17 inmates and 22 correctional officers having tested positive, according to state officials. | Jessup Correctional reports the highest infection total of any facility in the state, with 17 inmates and 22 correctional officers having tested positive, according to state officials. |
| In Virginia, the Fairfax County Department of Fire and Rescue said a total of 12 firefighters have tested positive for the coronavirus, up two since last week. Six of the firefighters have recovered, and two are in quarantine for possible exposure to the virus. | In Virginia, the Fairfax County Department of Fire and Rescue said a total of 12 firefighters have tested positive for the coronavirus, up two since last week. Six of the firefighters have recovered, and two are in quarantine for possible exposure to the virus. |
| Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is deploying teams of epidemiologists and contract tracers to the Delmarva Penninsula tin response to an increase in covid-19 cases among poultry-processing workers. | Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is deploying teams of epidemiologists and contract tracers to the Delmarva Penninsula tin response to an increase in covid-19 cases among poultry-processing workers. |
| The teams will include staff who speak Haitian Creole, the language spoken by most poultry employees on the Delmarva Peninsula, Northam said. He said the request for help from the federal govenrment was made in conjunction with Hogan and Gov. John Carney (D) of Delaware. | The teams will include staff who speak Haitian Creole, the language spoken by most poultry employees on the Delmarva Peninsula, Northam said. He said the request for help from the federal govenrment was made in conjunction with Hogan and Gov. John Carney (D) of Delaware. |
| “Because the poultry economy so interconnected, a coordinated approach is critical,” Northam said. | “Because the poultry economy so interconnected, a coordinated approach is critical,” Northam said. |
| The CDC released new guidance for meat processing over the weekend following large-scale outbreaks across nation, Northam said. He said plant owners have been cooperating with local health departments, which have been recommending mitigation measures, such as screening workers. | The CDC released new guidance for meat processing over the weekend following large-scale outbreaks across nation, Northam said. He said plant owners have been cooperating with local health departments, which have been recommending mitigation measures, such as screening workers. |
| Virginia has 10 poultry processing facilities, primarily in the Shenandoah Valley and on the Eastern Shore. Covid-19 cases began rising last week in Accomack County, the rural Eastern Shore community where Northam grew up. He said similar spikes are being seen across the Delmarva Peninsula. He did not specify the number of cases, but said about 3,000 poultry workers are employed at two plants on the Eastern Shore. | Virginia has 10 poultry processing facilities, primarily in the Shenandoah Valley and on the Eastern Shore. Covid-19 cases began rising last week in Accomack County, the rural Eastern Shore community where Northam grew up. He said similar spikes are being seen across the Delmarva Peninsula. He did not specify the number of cases, but said about 3,000 poultry workers are employed at two plants on the Eastern Shore. |
| The illnesses could threaten meat supplies, Northam said, adding, “ “The health of the people in these plants also critically important.” He said the workers are “particularly vulnerable” because they live in close quarters in housing provided by the plants. | The illnesses could threaten meat supplies, Northam said, adding, “ “The health of the people in these plants also critically important.” He said the workers are “particularly vulnerable” because they live in close quarters in housing provided by the plants. |
| Justin Jouvenal, Dan Morse and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report. | Justin Jouvenal, Dan Morse and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report. |