Testing Updates

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@TeamMuriel
 
Muriel Bowser Ward 4
 
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John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Phone: (202) 727-2643
Email: muriel.bowser@dc.gov

Chief of Staff:
John Falcicchio

Interim City Administrator:
Kevin Donahue

Director of the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel:
Eugene Adams

Senior Advisor:
Beverly Perry
 
Director of Mayor's Office of Community Affairs:
Lamont Akins

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services:
Julia Irving

Scheduling Requests:
mayor.dc.gov/page/invite-mayor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 20, 2020 

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Washingtonians, 

This week, we announced changes to the District's testing sites that go into effect on Monday, November 23. We are proud of the robust public testing infrastructure that we've developed in DC, and these updates will make our system even more convenient and sustainable.

New Testing Site

On Monday, Nationals Park will open as a new testing site. Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. you can get tested in the GEICO Garage which is located at 16 N Street SE. 

Expanded Hours

We are expanding the hours at our other sites. The weekday morning/daytime sites (F Street, Anacostia, and UDC-CC Bertie Backus) will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The evening sites will be open from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, the firehouse testing sites will continue to operate from noon until 4:00 p.m.

In anticipation of increased demand, on Sunday, November 29 we will also open four firehouse testing sites (Engines 4, 8, 10, and 31) for testing from noon until 4:00 p.m.

Insurance

Beginning Monday, we will collect insurance information from people who have health insurance. You will provide your insurance information when you pre-register online, and you will not need to show your insurance card at the site. If you provide insurance, you will not be charged a copay. 

Testing remains free, and no one will be turned away or denied testing if they do not have insurance. By collecting insurance information, we can preserve District resources for our ongoing response and recovery. 

If you are going to a District testing site, remember to pre-register at coronavirus.dc.gov/register

Use Testing Carefully 

Remember: testing has its limitations. A negative test today could be a positive test tomorrow. Testing does not stop you from getting infected, nor does it replace the need to limit your exposure to other people, wear masks, social distance, and practice good hygiene.  

If you believe you were exposed to COVID-19, you should limit your activities and wait 3 to 5 days after possible exposure to get tested (waiting 3 to 5 days reduces the likelihood of getting a false negative). Then, stay home while you wait for your results.

With cases on the rise nationwide, let's work together to flatten the curve, keep our community safe, and get to the other side of this. Thank you for doing your part. 

Sincerely,

Muriel Bowser

Find the Thanksgiving guidance HERE, and remember that we are strongly urging residents to celebrate the holiday at home with your household.

In This Week's Newsletter:

Printable Signs for Your Home

Mask Signs

Contact tracing tells us that many Washingtonians are likely getting infected with COVID-19 at home. While right now we need to limit our exposure to people who are not part of our household, if someone does need to come into your home, make sure you are taking precautions to keep everyone safe. When guests are in your home, everyone should wear a mask, social distance, and practice good hygiene. 

Download and print signs for your home HERE

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College Students Returning to DC

Protect DC

If your family has a young adult returning to DC from a state or country with 10 or more cases per 100,000 people, they must follow the travel advisory for residents. Either:

  • Limit daily activities and self-monitor for 14 days

Or

  • Limit daily activities for 3 to 5 days, then get tested, and continue to limit activities until they receive a negative test

While waiting for test results, returning students should take precautions to keep their households safe. 

Read the travel advisory at coronavirus.dc.gov/phasetwo

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$100 Million for Local Businesses

The Bridge Fund

This week, Mayor Bowser announced The Bridge Fund, a $100 million investment to help workers and businesses make it to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Through The Bridge Fund, the District will strategically invest to sustain the hard-hit hospitality, entertainment, and retail industries. Funds will be disbursed via four programs:

  • Restaurant Bridge Fund: $35 million
  • Hotel Bridge Fund: $30 million
  • Entertainment Bridge Fund: $20 million
  • Retail Bridge Fund: $15 million.

The Bridge Fund was created after the DC Council passed the “Business Support Grants Emergency Amendment Act of 2020," authorizing up to $100 million from the federal CARES Act to be used to provide COVID-19 related relief.

Learn more about The Bridge Fund HERE.

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Hypothermia Season

Shelter Hotline

As the District continues through Hypothermia Season, residents are encouraged to save the Shelter Hotline phone number (202-399-7093) in their mobile devices and to call the hotline or call 311 to request assistance or transportation for persons in DC who are experiencing homelessness and in need of shelter.

During Hypothermia Season, which runs from November 1 – March 31, the District implements its Winter Plan to enhance outreach, expand shelter capacity, and offer other critical supports to ensure residents experiencing homelessness have a safe place to stay during extreme cold temperatures. All year-round low-barrier and seasonal shelters remain open 24 hours/day, seven days/week with reduced capacity to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. 

Learn more about Hypothermia Season HERE.

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DC Health Vaccine Survey

Vaccine Survey

DC Health wants to hear from DC residents about an eventual COVID-19 vaccine.

Please complete a 2-minute survey HERE.

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