Coronavirus in DC Area

Metro and VRE announced they would no longer enforce masking on public transit.

Most travelers we spoke with were in the air when news came that a federal judge had struck down the national mask mandate covering airlines and other public transportation. News4’s Jackie Bensen reports.

While health officials in D.C. are not reinstituting any COVID restrictions, the health director is warning that some people should consider wearing masks again.

D.C. is seeing an increase in new cases of COVID-19. While health officials in the District are not reinstituting any restrictions, the health director is warning that some people should consider wearing masks again. News4’s Mark Segraves explains.

Gov. Larry Hogan says Maryland will stop requiring masks in state buildings next week

Some Smithsonian museums will operate on a modified schedule starting Tuesday and until further notice due to COVID-19’s effect on staffing, the institution announced Monday.

The Smithsonian says its museums and the National Zoo will operate on modified schedules for the next two weeks as it expects “unprecedented” staff shortages due to the COVID-19 surge.

Four Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C, will close for several days due to COVID-19 cases among staff members. The National Museum of African Art, the National Postal Museum, the Anacostia Community Museum and the National Museum of Asian Art (Freer and Sackler galleries) are set to close from Wednesday to Monday, Jan. 3. “Over the last few days, the Smithsonian…

With Christmas come and gone and New Year’s Eve quickly approaching, demand for COVID-19 tests in D.C. shows no signs of slowing down. On Tuesday, News4’s Cory Smith found the crowd outside District testing sites to be a bit smaller than previous days, while the lines to pickup at-home test kits moved with a bit more speed.

D.C. continues to set records each day for new COVID-19, but hospitalizations and deaths have not surged. News4’s Mark Segraves reports D.C. has handed out tens of thousands of rapid test kits — far more than the mayor announced would be available.

An official expects the number of new cases to continue to rise, and while that’s concerning, so far there has not been a surge in deaths or hospitalizations.

D.C. residents lined up for free rapid test kits Wednesday morning, but were disappointed to learn they wouldn’t be available until noon.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan against the latest coronavirus surge emphasizes testing. News4’s Mark Segraves explains how and where you can get tested in D.C.

D.C. has several ways to get tested for free, and starting Wednesday, they will start handing out rapid test kits.

The District’s health department says more than 3,700 new cases of COVID-19 were reported this past weekend.

Health officials warned of a tidal wave of coronavirus infections fueled by the omicron variant that could lead to a record number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths. This surge is bringing with it setbacks that many thought were in the past, including D.C.’s indoor mask mandate, which is being reinstated Tuesday. News4’s Mark Segraves reports on the measures D.C. Mayor...

Bowser acknowledged the omicron variant is spreading much faster than the earlier variants.

Thirty-six states and Washington, D.C., are closely monitoring rising COVID-19 case numbers as the Christmas holiday approaches. COVID-19 outbreaks at several schools, upcoming holiday gatherings and the appearance of the omicron coronavirus variant in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, are spurring concerns. The numbers show a worsening situation in the D.C. area. Health experts say you can protect yourself by...

A week after D.C. lifted its mask mandate, the identification of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in South Africa has local health officials on alert.

Some local officials are concerned that differing COVID-19 mitigation measures across the DMV could lead to a greater surge in cases. News4’s Cory Smith reports.