Contributed by Jordyn Fields

The D.C. area is taking precautions amid the increasing rate of Coronavirus cases. The DMV has 34 confirmed cases so far.

D.C. Health has urged people to not convene in large groups of more than 1,000. “DC Health recommends that non-essential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions, be postponed or canceled,” they stated in an advisory.

Loudoun County Public Schools have decided to close and cancel all activities from March 12- 20. Saint Teresa Catholic School will close today, Thursday March 12 as well.

Eleanor Roosevelt High School and College Park Academy will be closed and all activities canceled from March 12-13 for sanitization and cleaning. School will reopen on March 16.

D.C. Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools will be closed March 16 to prepare for at home learning and evaluate the impact of the virus.

Colleges in the area have taken precautions as well and have moved to have students leave campus for an extended period. American University will have an extended spring brea until March 17 and then all classes will be online until April 3. Georgetown University will have indefinite online classes. George Washington University will have online classes from March 23-April 5. Galludet University will have online classes from March 23-May 4. Howard University will have online classes from March 23-April 6. University of Maryland has canceled class from March 23-29 and advises students not to return to campus until April 10, classes will be online during that time. University of Virginia will move all classes online March 19th and asked students to return home. Catholic University will have online classes until at least March 30.

Schools will not be the only thing canceled in the area. The annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade has been indefinitely postponed and parts of the Cherry Blossom Festival have been canceled or postponed. All participants in the SSt. Pts Run Fest have been moved to the 2021 event.

All events that were scheduled at 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre U Street Music Hall and he Anthem have been postponed, however those who had tickets to attend will have options available regarding refunds or exchanges.

The Washington Cathedral and D.C. Episcopal churches are closed for two weeks. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has lifted all obligations to those 60 years of age or older from attending Sunday Mass.

People are urged to stay at home if sick and utilize paid sick leave.