Washington, D.C. (Sunday, March 29, 2020) – President Trump has declared the District of Columbia a major disaster area.  The move follows Friday’s request from Mayor Muriel Bowser.  The declaration means the District will receive emergency federal funding to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.  The dollars will be for the city and some private non-profit groups to use for services and resources to help slow down and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 with the federal government absorbing about 75 percent of the costs, according to a statement released by FEMA.

The emergency aid comes as the District’s number of coronavirus cases has hit 401 with 9 deaths.  A similar declaration has also been declared for Maryland which now has 1,239 infections and 16 deaths.  Virginia has 890 persons with COVID-19 and 22 deaths.