Smithsonian museums, zoo to close as caseload in region hits record for 16th day
The greater Washington region reported more than 5,000 new coronavirus infections Thursday - a record for a single day - with weeks of sustained increases prompting the Smithsonian Institution to close facilities that had reopened to the public. Maryland, Virginia and D.C. reported 5,077 new cases Thursday amid a national surge that has seen several states set records in recent days. It lifted the Washington region’s seven-day average number of cases to 4,109 - about twice the number being reported at the end of October. The Smithsonian Institution cited the caseload rise Thursday while announcing it will temporarily close eight facilities in the Washington region that had reopened. It did not announce a reopening date, but officials said the closure will last at least through January. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III said the decision to close the museums and National Zoo was a precaution, adding that caseloads are projected to rise after Thanksgiving, typically a busy time for the museums.