Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Photo Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios. Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Washington, D.C. reported 105 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the highest number of new infections since June.
Why it matters: A cluster of at least 20 cases has been tied to the White House, raising concerns that the virus may be spreading into the surrounding community.
Between the lines: Axios' Caitlin Owens notes that the White House is doing only minimal contact tracing, and has not sought help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, per the New York Times.
- It has decided not to trace the contacts of attendees at last weekend’s Rose Garden event celebrating the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. At least eight people who attended that event have since tested positive.
- It’s opting instead to only notify President's Trump’s contacts in the two days before his diagnosis — an extensive list.
Driving the news: Despite a set of recent incidents that could link the White House to new cases, Trump, who was hospitalized last week after a drop in his oxygen levels, tweeted that the coronavirus is less lethal than the flu. Facebook and Twitter have both taken action against the posts for spreading misleading information.
By the numbers: A total of 15,652 people have tested positive in D.C. since the pandemic began, according to district data.
- 19-to-30-year-olds comprise the bulk of the infections at 23%, but most of the lethal cases are among residents over 60 years-old.
- The disease has disproportionately affected Black/African American communities, with 469 deaths out of the total 631 in D.C.
Go deeper: The White House's reckless pandemic response