After coronavirus spike, Washington, D.C., 'back on track' to start reopening like the 50 states

Officials projected that the national capital would get hit hard by COVID-19 later than other U.S. cities and states

Published: May 25, 2020 4:11pm

Updated: May 25, 2020 5:13pm

After a recent spike in coronavirus numbers, the nation’s capital is “back on track” toward a gradual opening later this week, the mayor said Monday.

All 50 states have already taken "Phase One" steps toward reopening their respective economies, as the country tries to get Americans back to work amid signs the worst of the virus could be over.

Bowser, a Democrat, has since the start of the pandemic roughly eight weeks ago suggested that the city would strictly follow federal guidelines about no re-openings until after 14 days of declining community spread.

The district, home to the federal government, had a slight increase in new cases over the weekend, which put the reopening in jeopardy, after an 11-day downward trend. However, Bowser said Monday that cases were down, resetting the consecutive string to 12 days.

“We lost some progress over the weekend,” Bowser told NBC4 Washington on Monday. “"D.C. Health will get today's numbers out which show we're back on track."

The mayor is set to announce Wednesday if and when the city will reopen – with next weekend as a possible start. While the Senate has returned to Capitol Hill for legislative work, the House has largely remained out except for votes, on the guidance of D.C. health officials. A reopening of the district could bring all roughly 435 House members and their staffers back to Washington.