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| D.C. region sees lowest increase in daily coronavirus cases in weeks as Prince George’s lifts more restrictions | D.C. region sees lowest increase in daily coronavirus cases in weeks as Prince George’s lifts more restrictions |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Washington area on Monday added its lowest number of daily coronavirus cases and deaths since early April as the region took additional steps to lift pandemic restrictions. | |
| Prince George’s County will move into its second phase of reopening at 5 p.m. Monday, allowing restaurants to offer inside dining and retail stores to expand beyond curbside service, provided those businesses limit customers to 50 percent of capacity. | |
| The gradual steps toward reopening come as the District, Maryland and Virginia on Monday reported their lowest number of deaths attributed to the coronavirus in weeks. | The gradual steps toward reopening come as the District, Maryland and Virginia on Monday reported their lowest number of deaths attributed to the coronavirus in weeks. |
| Known coronavirus deaths and cases in D.C., Maryland and Virginia | Known coronavirus deaths and cases in D.C., Maryland and Virginia |
| The three jurisdictions added 743 new known cases and 14 deaths. While numbers reported on Monday are typically lower than other days, that’s the smallest number of daily cases added since April 2 and the smallest number of deaths since April 3. | The three jurisdictions added 743 new known cases and 14 deaths. While numbers reported on Monday are typically lower than other days, that’s the smallest number of daily cases added since April 2 and the smallest number of deaths since April 3. |
| The District reported no new deaths Monday for only the second time since early April. Virginia’s death toll increased by six, while Maryland recorded eight additional fatalities. | The District reported no new deaths Monday for only the second time since early April. Virginia’s death toll increased by six, while Maryland recorded eight additional fatalities. |
| As the region’s coronavirus cases trend downward, health officials warn that the lifting of restrictions in place since March and daily protests against police brutality could lead to a new surge of infections. Crowds also gathered across the region over the weekend to enjoy the weather, with many opting not to wear a mask. | As the region’s coronavirus cases trend downward, health officials warn that the lifting of restrictions in place since March and daily protests against police brutality could lead to a new surge of infections. Crowds also gathered across the region over the weekend to enjoy the weather, with many opting not to wear a mask. |
| Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D) said declining rates in new covid-19 deaths, hospitalizations and coronavirus infections supported moving the county to its second phase of reopening. | |
| Lori Valentine, vice president of policy and public relations for the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, said she sensed excitement and hope among business owners. | |
| “Folks are cautiously optimistic about a return to normalcy,” she said. “We are appreciative of the county taking its time to reopen safely.” | |
| In addition to restaurants and retail businesses in Prince George’s allowing customers indoors, with restrictions, outdoor pools — both public and private — can open at 25 percent capacity, while parks also can reopen and youth sports teams can practice in groups of 10 or less. | |
| Personal service businesses — including barbershops, nail salons, massage parlors and spas — can reopen by appointment, with one customer allowed per 200 square feet. | Personal service businesses — including barbershops, nail salons, massage parlors and spas — can reopen by appointment, with one customer allowed per 200 square feet. |
| Religious groups can open for indoor services, as long as they do not exceed 25 people, but gyms and fitness centers will stay closed. | Religious groups can open for indoor services, as long as they do not exceed 25 people, but gyms and fitness centers will stay closed. |
| Washington’s harder-hit Maryland and Virginia suburbs have trailed other parts of the two states in lifting restrictions. Northern Virginia entered Phase 2 of its recovery on Friday, while Montgomery County plans to make announcements later this week. | Washington’s harder-hit Maryland and Virginia suburbs have trailed other parts of the two states in lifting restrictions. Northern Virginia entered Phase 2 of its recovery on Friday, while Montgomery County plans to make announcements later this week. |
| Northern Virginia reaches next phase of reopening, allowing indoor dining as coronavirus cases drop | Northern Virginia reaches next phase of reopening, allowing indoor dining as coronavirus cases drop |
| The District continues to look at Friday as a possible first day of the Phase 2 reopening, but city health department director LaQuandra Nesbitt said Monday that officials are still working on recommendations for the types of gatherings and business activities that would be allowed. | The District continues to look at Friday as a possible first day of the Phase 2 reopening, but city health department director LaQuandra Nesbitt said Monday that officials are still working on recommendations for the types of gatherings and business activities that would be allowed. |
| D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) warned residents during a Monday news conference that more permitted activities will likely mean more illness. | D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) warned residents during a Monday news conference that more permitted activities will likely mean more illness. |
| “We don’t have a treatment or a cure, so therefore, when people start coming out, we’re likely to see more cases,” she said. | “We don’t have a treatment or a cure, so therefore, when people start coming out, we’re likely to see more cases,” she said. |
| The District this week began to offer free antibody testing for the next month, as the city’s health department tries to determine the extent of the virus’s exposure in Washington. | The District this week began to offer free antibody testing for the next month, as the city’s health department tries to determine the extent of the virus’s exposure in Washington. |
| The antibody tests demonstrate that a person has previously been exposed to the coronavirus, but Nesbitt emphasized Monday that while the presence of antibodies in the bloodstream indicates immunity to many illnesses, scientists have not concluded whether a person with coronavirus antibodies can still become sick from new exposure to the virus. | The antibody tests demonstrate that a person has previously been exposed to the coronavirus, but Nesbitt emphasized Monday that while the presence of antibodies in the bloodstream indicates immunity to many illnesses, scientists have not concluded whether a person with coronavirus antibodies can still become sick from new exposure to the virus. |
| “Even if you do have the presence of antibodies, we still need you to social distance,” she said. | “Even if you do have the presence of antibodies, we still need you to social distance,” she said. |
| The antibody test will be available by appointment in Canal Park in the Navy Yard neighborhood through early July, and eventually at a second location, Nesbitt said. | The antibody test will be available by appointment in Canal Park in the Navy Yard neighborhood through early July, and eventually at a second location, Nesbitt said. |
| The District has tested an increasing number of people for the coronavirus, separate from antibody tests. Virus testing at firehouses has proven so popular — with lines stretching for blocks at a firehouse in Columbia Heights — that the city on Monday began doubling the number of open sites. | The District has tested an increasing number of people for the coronavirus, separate from antibody tests. Virus testing at firehouses has proven so popular — with lines stretching for blocks at a firehouse in Columbia Heights — that the city on Monday began doubling the number of open sites. |
| D.C. Fire Chief Gregory Dean said the tests are being conducted by firefighters on their days off who were trained by health department officials. The city on Monday dropped the minimum age for testing from 18 to 6 years old. | D.C. Fire Chief Gregory Dean said the tests are being conducted by firefighters on their days off who were trained by health department officials. The city on Monday dropped the minimum age for testing from 18 to 6 years old. |
| Maryland, Virginia and the District have reported 126,717 coronavirus cases and 5,014 deaths since the region’s pandemic outbreak started in March. | Maryland, Virginia and the District have reported 126,717 coronavirus cases and 5,014 deaths since the region’s pandemic outbreak started in March. |
| The District reported 32 new cases on Monday, while Virginia and Maryland reported 380 and 331 cases, respectively. | The District reported 32 new cases on Monday, while Virginia and Maryland reported 380 and 331 cases, respectively. |
| The office of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Monday the number of patients hospitalized in intensive care units fell below 300 for the first time in 10 weeks. Officials said the state also hasn’t seen any confirmed virus cases in poultry plants this month after earlier outbreaks. | The office of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Monday the number of patients hospitalized in intensive care units fell below 300 for the first time in 10 weeks. Officials said the state also hasn’t seen any confirmed virus cases in poultry plants this month after earlier outbreaks. |
| “The virus is still out there, and this battle is not yet over,” Hogan tweeted. “But I’m so proud of the people of Maryland for sticking together, for never losing hope, and for staying #MarylandStrong during this incredibly difficult time.” | “The virus is still out there, and this battle is not yet over,” Hogan tweeted. “But I’m so proud of the people of Maryland for sticking together, for never losing hope, and for staying #MarylandStrong during this incredibly difficult time.” |
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