DC Health updated its list of high-risk states, adding Delaware, Hawaii and South Dakota, and removing Montana and New Mexico, Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced at her August 24 situational update. People who travel to the District from high-risk states for non-essential activities are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival in DC.
A full risk of high-risk states is available here. When reporters asked Bowser why Maryland and Virginia were not added to the list, she said doing so is “impractical” due to the frequency of resident travel between DC, Maryland and Virginia. DC Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt said residents should consult the list, which officials update every two weeks, when making travel plans.
DC Health reported 49 new positive COVID-19 cases and no new deaths as of August 23, bringing the case and death totals to 13,639 and 604, respectively. Although coronavirus deaths in the District are decreasing, Nesbitt said the low death rate does not call for transitioning to Phase 3.
Nesbitt added that officials are continuing to see cases among younger residents, a sign that entering the next reopening phase would be unsafe. Additionally, Nesibtt said further reopening workplaces and businesses would attract people from surrounding jurisdictions to the District, increasing case rates.
To enter Phase 3, a high proportion of cases should stem from quarantined contacts rather than community transmission, Nesbitt said.
View more COVID-19 data here.
DCPS Reopening
With the school year for District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) beginning in a week, parents can ensure their children are enrolled by visiting enrolldcps.dc.gov.
Children who still need a device for remote learning should call their school or complete the technology survey at dcpsreopenstrong.com. For assistance, DCPS can be reached at 202-442-5885.
Eva Herscowitz is a journalism student at Northwestern University currently interning with Capital Community News. She writes for Northwestern’s student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern. You can reach her at eva@hillrag.com
