This page will be updated regularly to reflect the most recent information about COVID-19, the coronavirus pandemic, and its impact on the GW community and the District.

We encourage readers to reach out with questions or tips about COVID-19 and its effect on the community at news@gwhatchet.com or through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

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Last updated: August 30, 2021 at 3:00 a.m.

Latest updates on COVID-19 and GW’s campus:

Thousands of students have returned to campus for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Classes will be held in person this fall with no capacity restrictions, although officials say they are prepared to increase restrictions at any time.
Officials reinstated an indoor mask mandate for vaccinated individuals after a rise in COVID-19 cases in the local area. Mayor Muriel Bowser had implemented a similar mandate for the District.
Students, staff and faculty must prove they are fully vaccinated before receiving campus access. About 1 percent of the on-campus community received exemptions for medical and religious reasons. Hundreds of students and professors missed the Aug. 1 deadline to upload their vaccine card, but officials say the gap is largely the result of administrative issues rather than vaccine hesitancy.
Fall study abroad programs have been scaled back as the spread of the Delta variant continues to elevate COVID-19 cases across the globe.

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Officials increase staff in departments consolidated during pandemic

August 30, 2021 2:51 a.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

GWorld vendors usher in returning students as sales start to rise

August 30, 2021 2:51 a.m.

Rio Matsumoto | Staff Writer

Faculty return to classrooms after nearly three semesters of remote learning

August 30, 2021 2:51 a.m.

Carly Neilson | Staff Writer

Colleges should be prepared to tighten COVID-19 restrictions in light of Delta variant: experts

August 30, 2021 2:50 a.m.

Daniel Patrick Galgano | Staff Writer

Students resume in-person learning with relief, caution after online hiatus

August 30, 2021 2:50 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor
Lauren Sforza | Contributing News Editor

Medical Faculty Associates selects first-ever COVID-19 response lead

August 30, 2021 2:49 a.m.

Ishani Chettri | Blog Editor
Michelle Vassilev | Assistant News Editor

Corcoran faculty, students to continue some virtual elements as in-person fall begins

August 30, 2021 2:49 a.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Upgrades to HVAC systems across campus a ‘work in progress,’ officials say

August 30, 2021 2:49 a.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

GW welcomes new and returning students for fall move in

August 30, 2021 2:49 a.m.

Thais Kolganov | Assistant Video Editor

Administrative shuffles, COVID-19 planning headline summer news

August 23, 2021 2:03 a.m.

Daniel Patrick Galgano | Staff Writer
Nicholas Pasion | Staff Writer

Social media, isolation exacerbated eating disorders during pandemic, students say

August 23, 2021 2:03 a.m.

Ishani Chettri | Blog Editor
Michelle Vassilev | Assistant News Editor

Professor launches project to build trust in COVID-19 vaccine

August 23, 2021 2:03 a.m.

Michelle Vassilev | Assistant News Editor

VSTC Express reopens with limited capacity

August 23, 2021 2:03 a.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

ANC to dole out $12,000 to Foggy Bottom nonprofits for community relief

August 23, 2021 2:01 a.m.

Rio Matsumoto | Staff Writer

Metro lowers weekend fares, expands service to bring back riders

August 23, 2021 2:01 a.m.

Tara Suter | Staff Writer

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Smith Center resumes fall sports schedule with no capacity limits

August 23, 2021 2:01 a.m.

Nuria Diaz | Contributing Sports Editor

Housing guest policy restricts off-campus students from residence halls

August 23, 2021 2:01 a.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Freshmen and sophomores arrive on campus after more than a year of virtual classes

August 22, 2021 4:17 p.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

Foggy Bottom asymptomatic COVID-19 testing moves to medical trailer

August 16, 2021 5:17 p.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Nearly 90 percent of GW community fully vaccinated, officials say

August 12, 2021 10:12 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

Sen. Elizabeth Warren to deliver keynote address at in-person Commencement

August 12, 2021 3:09 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

Fall study abroad programs to resume with limited activity

August 9, 2021 11:44 p.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

D.C. Circulator to remain free through end of September

August 5, 2021 9:29 p.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

Textile Museum to reopen for in-person visits next week

August 5, 2021 6:17 p.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Officials to reinstate indoor mask requirement for campus spaces

July 30, 2021 2:27 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

Bowser reinstates indoor mask mandate as COVID-19 cases rebound

July 29, 2021 9:26 p.m.

Ishani Chettri | Blog Editor
Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

D.C. streatery program extended through February

July 27, 2021 4:54 p.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

Bowser ends public health emergency, extends public emergency order

July 26, 2021 10:11 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Faculty instructed not to ask students about vaccination status, officials say

July 22, 2021 7:42 p.m.

Ishani Chettri | Blog Editor

Off-campus students can enter residence halls as guests with new policy

July 16, 2021 9:34 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor
Lauren Sforza | Contributing News Editor

WMATA to extend Metrorail operating hours to midnight

July 15, 2021 10:31 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Officials rehiring events staff after layoffs last year

July 15, 2021 9:02 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

One percent of student population received vaccine exemption, officials say

July 15, 2021 12:28 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

GWorld vendors granted $7.6 million in COVID-19 pandemic aid

July 15, 2021 2:00 a.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

COVID-19 cases, deaths in DMV drop to all-time lows

July 8, 2021 9:46 p.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

Students must attend fall classes in person, officials say

July 8, 2021 2:34 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

Capital Bikeshare to expand service as D.C. reopens

July 6, 2021 6:53 p.m.

Ishani Chettri | Blog Editor

Capital Bikeshare to expand service as D.C. reopens

July 6, 2021 6:53 p.m.

Ishani Chettri | Blog Editor

D.C. logs 12 days with no new COVID-19 deaths

July 1, 2021 9:01 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

National Park Service opens online reservations for National Mall fields

June 29, 2021 10:00 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

Vex service will return in August for first time since COVID-19 pandemic began

June 24, 2021 9:00 p.m.

Ishani Chettri | Blog Editor

D.C. reaches goal to vaccinate 70 percent of adults

June 17, 2021 7:32 p.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

National Mall to host Fourth of July fireworks display

June 17, 2021 6:55 p.m.

Ishani Chettri | Blog Editor

D.C. hospitals call for COVID-19 vaccine requirement

June 17, 2021 12:42 a.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

Officials lift indoor mask requirement for fully vaccinated people

June 16, 2021 11:48 a.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Professor of emergency medicine to serve as University COVID-19 coordinator

June 15, 2021 12:59 a.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor
Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Professor of emergency medicine to serve as University COVID-19 coordinator

June 12, 2021 7:02 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

D.C. officials lift final COVID-19 restrictions

June 12, 2021 6:20 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

Metro announces lower weekend fares, increased service this fall

June 10, 2021 7:05 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Officials updated HVAC systems, refined building air quality for campus reopening

June 9, 2021 7:46 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

D.C. Circulator to resume full service Friday

June 9, 2021 2:51 a.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Symptomatic COVID-19 testing moves to Colonial Health Center from Lerner

June 9, 2021 1:49 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

In-person Commencement set to honor classes of 2020, 2021 on National Mall

June 7, 2021 2:32 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor
Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Metrobus expands late-night service as city officials relax COVID-19 restrictions

June 5, 2021 8:06 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Bowser joins nationwide challenge to vaccinate 70 percent of American adults

June 4, 2021 10:37 a.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Smithsonian museums to fully reopen by end of August

June 1, 2021 8:56 p.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Parking law enforcement returns to pre-pandemic status

June 1, 2021 10:16 a.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Blue Line Metro service returns after three month hiatus

May 31, 2021 11:01 p.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Officials loosen COVID-19 guidelines with monthly testing after full vaccination

May 31, 2021 12:36 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available to community members in Marvin Center

May 26, 2021 4:38 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

Officials permit residence hall visits for campus residents this summer

May 25, 2021 12:45 a.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

GW to receive $25 million in third round of federal stimulus funding

May 23, 2021 6:19 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor

In-person classes to resume this fall at pre-pandemic levels

May 21, 2021 10:22 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Hundreds approved to live on campus this summer

May 18, 2021 11:00 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

GW to offer more than 60 summer courses with in-person, hybrid components

May 18, 2021 4:22 p.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Sights of Commencement 2021

May 17, 2021 1:32 a.m.

Amanda Plocharski | Assistant Video Editor

Bunch calls on graduates to lead with empathy at virtual Commencement

May 17, 2021 1:32 a.m.

Isha Trivedi | News Editor
Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Graduates celebrate Commencement with small gatherings of vaccinated friends

May 17, 2021 1:31 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor
Tara Suter | Reporter

Students turn to activism as COVID-19 pandemic creates health crisis in India

May 17, 2021 1:31 a.m.

Nicholas Pasion | Staff Writer
Sejal Govindarao | Staff Writer

Students turn to activism as COVID-19 pandemic creates health crisis in India

May 17, 2021 1:31 a.m.

Nicholas Pasion | Staff Writer
Sejal Govindarao | Staff Writer

Fall study abroad plans remain in flux as other universities announce decisions

May 17, 2021 1:31 a.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

Academic misconduct cases rise at GW, nationwide following year of remote learning

May 17, 2021 1:31 a.m.

Lauren Sforza | Contributing News Editor

Professors say their mental health has declined throughout academic year

May 17, 2021 1:31 a.m.

Daniel Patrick Galgano | Staff Writer

SEAS professor studies how to speed up turnaround times for COVID-19 test results

May 17, 2021 1:31 a.m.

Nicholas Pasion | Staff Writer

Humanities Center advanced interdisciplinary research in first year of remote operation

May 17, 2021 1:31 a.m.

Samantha Serafin | Staff Writer

Bowser set to lift most COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, public venues next week

May 10, 2021 4:08 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Assistant News Editor

Ramadan celebration goes virtual with new Muslim Student Association programming

May 10, 2021 12:25 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

Faculty salaries drop at GW nationwide during pandemic, data shows

May 10, 2021 12:23 a.m.

Yankun Zhao | Assistant News Editor

LeBlanc relied on conservative messaging strategy throughout pandemic

April 26, 2021 2:17 a.m.

Zach Schonfeld | Managing Editor

Incoming freshmen struggle to navigate application, commitment process online

April 26, 2021 2:17 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Assistant News Editor

Experts say COVID-19 vaccine requirement needed to establish herd immunity on campus

April 26, 2021 2:17 a.m.

Sejal Govindarao | Staff Writer

Bowser shares COVID-19 updates, rallies D.C. statehood support at ANC meeting

April 24, 2021 10:25 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Staff Writer

Photo essay: Student workers through COVID-19 pandemic

April 21, 2021 11:54 a.m.

Arielle Bader | Photo Editor
Ari Golub | Staff Photographer
Candace Chambers | Photographer
Danielle Towers | Staff Photographer
Hadley Chittum | Photographer
Donna Armstrong | Senior Staff Photographer

Smithsonian Institution secretary named as Commencement speaker

April 19, 2021 3:03 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | Assistant News Editor

GW to require COVID-19 vaccination this fall for students, faculty and staff

April 19, 2021 10:31 a.m.

Zach Schonfeld | News Editor

Vaccinated students adjust to looser COVID-19 restrictions after year of tight social pods

April 19, 2021 1:24 a.m.

Tara Suter | Reporter
Tiffany Garcia | Assistant News Editor

Officials should allocate more funds for research, faculty say

April 19, 2021 1:23 a.m.

Isha Trivedi | Assistant News Editor

Shenkman Hall food court reopens for campus dining as Teashi returns

April 14, 2021 1:43 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Staff Writer

GW could receive millions in funding under Biden’s relief package, experts say

April 12, 2021 1:02 a.m.

Daniel Patrick Galgano | Reporter

American studies project documents pandemic experiences with interviews, photos

April 12, 2021 1:02 a.m.

Greyson Webb | Reporter
Ishani Chettri | Staff Writer

Experts talk academic challenges amid COVID-19 pandemic during panel

April 12, 2021 1:01 a.m.

Yutong Jiang | Staff Writer

Students living in D.C. to become eligible for COVID-19 vaccine Monday

April 11, 2021 9:11 p.m.

Zachary Blackburn | Staff Writer

Students living in D.C. eligible for COVID-19 vaccine April 19

April 7, 2021 11:45 p.m.

Brennan Fiske | Staff Writer

Officials continue loosening budget restrictions with hope for in-person fall

April 5, 2021 12:19 a.m.

Zach Schonfeld | News Editor

Medical professors help treat patients with lingering COVID-19 symptoms in MFA clinic

April 5, 2021 12:19 a.m.

Lia DeGroot | News Editor
Michelle Vassilev| Staff Writer

Students say balancing mental health, social media consumption leaves them ‘exhausted’

April 5, 2021 12:19 a.m.

Lalitha Shanmugasundaram | Reporter
Tiffany Garcia | Assistant News Editor

Students given more than $1.5 million in dining refunds during pandemic

Mar. 31, 2021 4:55 p.m.

Rio Matsumoto | Staff Writer

One year into pandemic, GW longs for a return to normalcy

Mar. 29, 2021 12:23 a.m.

Alec Rich | Staff Writer
Lia DeGroot | News Editor
Zach Schonfeld | News Editor

SA presidential and vice presidential hopefuls talk pandemic, trust at virtual debate

Mar. 27, 2021 12:18 a.m.

Lauren Sforza | Staff Writer
Makena Roberts | Contributing News Editor

All D.C. adults to be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine by May 1

Mar. 15, 2021 3:00 p.m.

Jarrod Wardwell | Assistant News Editor

Commencement to be held virtually with later in-person ceremony ‘when it is safe to gather’

Mar. 11, 2021 1:45 p.m.

Zach Schonfeld | News Editor

Officials roll back no-guest policy on campus, approving one guest per student

Mar. 8, 2021 6:42 p.m.

Brennan Fiske | Staff Writer

Local residents troubled by technological glitches on COVID-19 vaccine registration website

Mar. 8, 2021 12:14 a.m.

Rio Matsumoto | Reporter

Distribution of emergency grants from stimulus bill ‘underway,’ officials say

Mar. 8, 2021 12:14 a.m.

Zach Schonfeld | News Editor

Greek life activity, small gatherings cause spike in cases: officials

Mar. 3, 2021 11:43 p.m.

Lia DeGroot | News Editor

Post-COVID-19 task force launches initial working groups

Mar. 3, 2021 11:42 p.m.

Isha Trivedi | Assistant News Editor

Officials direct about $4.5 million for emergency student grants

Mar. 1, 2021 12:28 p.m.

Zach Schonfeld | News Editor

IFC recruitment continues decline during virtual formal recruitment period

Mar. 1, 2021 12:06 a.m.

Lauren Sforza | Staff Writer

Medical school launches ambassador program to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccine

Mar. 1, 2021 12:06 a.m.

Matthew Donnell | Reporter

Pandemic drove applicants’ increased interest in public health, experts say

Mar. 1, 2021 12:06 a.m.

Isha Trivedi | Assistant News Editor
Nuria Diaz | Staff Writer

GW upgrades HVAC systems across campus to satisfy energy standards, COVID-19 safety

Feb. 22, 2021 12:10 a.m.

Yutong Jiang | Staff Writer

Professors study how COVID-19 pandemic has affected investments made for social change

Feb. 22, 2021 12:10 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Staff Writer

Medical school professor interviews residents on COVID-19 perceptions

Feb. 22, 2021 12:10 a.m.

Abby Kennedy | Staff Writer

Fire alarm evacuations in District House spark COVID-19 concerns

Feb. 22, 2021 12:09 a.m.

Jarrod Wardwell | Assistant News Editor

Officials switch to self-administered COVID-19 tests for spring semester

Feb. 18, 2021 11:20 p.m.

Sejal Govindarao | Reporter

Students add jobs, heavier course loads to online learning schedules

Feb. 16, 2021 12:01 a.m.

Lauren Sforza | Staff Writer
Tiffany Garcia | Assistant News Editor

Out-of-state students to be treated as D.C. residents for vaccine distribution, officials say

Feb. 16, 2021 12:01 a.m.

Isha Trivedi | Assistant News Editor

Students with COVID-19-positive roommates weigh temporarily moving to stay healthy

Feb. 16, 2021 12:00 a.m.

Abigail Osborne | Reporter
Jarrod Wardwell | Assistant News Editor

Restaurants temporarily turn into ‘ghost’ takeout joints during pandemic

Feb. 16, 2021 12:00 a.m.

Diego Mendoza | Contributing Culture Editor