Washington D.C. is in a state of emergency.  

The Supreme Court, Library of Congress, White House and the U.S. Capitol are closed to the public. 

Several schools, universities, sports games, churches and public events like the St. Patrick's Day Parade are also canceled.   

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reach the double digits, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the state of emergency on Wednesday. She also declared a public health emergency. 

"We're not in a vacuum. Our country is experiencing this and our world is experiencing this... We're asking residents, businesses and visitors to help us flatten the curve” of the virus' spread." 

With these declarations the city is able to order medical quarantines and receive federal assistance to help fight the virus.

D.C. also has a potential quarantine site. 

Maryland and Virginia have also declared emergencies and closed schools.  

Officials are recommending all gatherings of 1,000 people are more be postponed or canceled until at least the end of March.

While the nation's capital comes up with a unified response to the COVID-19 outbreak and health officials try to contain the spread of the virus, are visitors feeling the panic?