- Home
- The Council
- District 2 - Fisher
- COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 Information
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reached Prince George’s County in early March 2020. By the beginning of August, the County lost over 700 residents and had a total of over 23,000 known positive cases. The County has the highest number of cases in the whole state, with nearly 4,000 more cases than Montgomery County and more than double the cases in Baltimore County.
District 2 is the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the County and region, with the 20783 zip code case count surpassing any area in the region. In fact, 5 of the 10 top zip codes with the highest number of cases per 100,000 residents are at least partially in District 2.
| COVID-19 CASES PER 100,000 RESIDENTS | TOTAL COVID-19 CASES |
20783 (Hyattsville) | 5,862.7 | 2,671 |
20737 (Riverdale) | 4,883.7 | 1,064 |
20722 (Brentwood) | 4,334.1 | 261 |
20784 (Hyattsville) | 4,316.9 | 1,303 |
20903 (Silver Spring) | 4,258.6 | 1,116 |
20782 (Hyattsville) | 4,110.2 | 1,338 |
20781 (Hyattsville) | 3,733 | 434 |
20706 (Lanham) | 3,528.6 | 1,496 |
20710 (Bladensburg) | 3,185.6 | 312 |
20705 (Beltsville) | 3,128.5 | 872 |
*Zip codes in bold are all or partially located in District 2.
It is no accident that Prince George’s County and District 2 have borne the brunt of the pandemic. Economic and racial inequities have always translated into health disparities, which the pandemic has only accelerated. Nationally, African-Americans and Latinos have been three times as likely to contract COVID-19 and twice as likely to die from the virus, than whites. The higher death rate is due to higher rates of underlying conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease, among African-Americans and Latinos. The higher infection rates are a result of conditions like working essential jobs, living in overcrowded and/or multigenerational households, and relying on public transportation. Nationally, 45% of Black and Latino workers are in service or production industries, which generally cannot be shifted to telework; and Latinos are twice as likely to live in crowded housing than white Americans. These trends are even more pronounced in District 2.
District 2 Gateways Coalition COVID-19 Response
Council Member Taveras has joined with a number of organizations to bring food, personal protective equipment (PPE), diapers, and rent assistance to District 2 residents. The biggest effort by far has been the weekly distribution of fresh produce by the District 2 Gateways Coalition at 9 sites around District 2. From May to August, the Coalition distributed 1,199,000 lbs of fresh produce to families in need. The District 2 Gateways Coalition is made up of the Town of Brentwood; City of Hyattsville; Town of North Brentwood; City of Mount Rainier; Community Foundation; CASA; Brighter Bites; Coastal Foods; Get Shift Done; Kingdom Fellowship Church; Prince George’s Child Resource Center; Metro SDA Church; St. Francis International School; Northern Gateway CDC; Campfire; Turner Memorial AME Church; Cultural Academy for Excellence (CAFE); and Communities Together, Inc.
Council Member Taveras, along with the District 2 Gateways Coalition, also partnered with World Central Kitchen, the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Hyattsville Aging in Place, the Audelia Community Response Team, Beltsville SDA Community Center, She Rises, and many more since March to bring adequate testing, prepared meals, grocery boxes, diapers, rental assistance, and PPE to residents in need.
If you are in need of assistance, contact the District 2 office at councildistrict2@co.pg.md.us or 301-952-4436.
Press Coverage of COVID-19 in District 2
“An immigrant community faces a catastrophic pandemic without help,” Michael E Miller, April 12, 2020, Washington Post.
“The crisis within the crisis in Prince George’s County,” Deni Taveras, May 14, 2020, Washington Post.
“Líderes piden más ayuda para latinos en Prince George durante la crisis de coronavirus,” May 21, 2020, Telemundo 44.
“Hard hit Hyattsville desperate for more COVID-19 resources,” May 22, 2020, Fox 5 News.
“Where the Pandemic Is Exacerbated by a Housing Crisis — and Vice-Versa,” Rosanne Skirble, June 25, 2020, Maryland Matters.
“Why Langley Park has been hit so hard by COVID-19,” Carolyn Gallaher, July 27, Greater Greater Washington
“Prince George's County limita el número de residentes que recibe segundo examen,” August 10, 2020, Telemundo 44.
How to Donate to District 2 Pandemic Relief
If you are able, please consider contributing financially to assist District 2 residents. Council Member Taveras encourages donations to rental assistance funds in particular. The two funds below give rent relief to District 2 residents:
Beltsville SDA Community Center: You can donate to the Church's rental and utility assistance fund here. Be sure to note in the comments that you would like your donation to benefit District 2's rental assistance program.
St. Francis Emergency Assistance Fund: Donate online to St. Camillus Catholic Church's rental assistance fund here. Be sure to write "St. Francis Emergency Fund: Langley Park" in the "Envelope #" field.
If you are interested in volunteering to help with food distribution in District 2, email councildistrict2@co.pg.md.us or call 301-952-4436.
Coronavirus Call Center
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Prince George’s County Health Department Coronavirus hotline at (301) 883-6627 during 8:00am - 8:00pm to receive updated information about the coronavirus disease. Only contact 911 for medical emergencies.
District 2 COVID-19 Updates
See District 2’s COVID-19 email updates below. All newsletters are in English and Spanish.
- May 8 COVID-19 Update
- April 24 COVID-19 Update
- April 21 COVID-19 Update
- April 16 COVID-19 Update
- April 10 COVID-19 Update
- April 6 COVID-19 Update
- April 3 COVID-19 Update
- March 30 COIVD-19 Update
- March 27 COVID-19 Update
- March 23 COVID-19 Update
- March 19 COVID-19 Update
- March 16 COVID-19 Update
- March 13 COVID-19 Update
County COVID-19 Information Center
To see further information related COVID-19, including County closures, visit the County’s dedicated page at https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3397/Coronavirus.