Coronavirus roundup: a spike in new cases, inmate release, cocktails to go, pet food bank
More new cases – The number of COVID-19 cases in the Fairfax Health District has seen a big jump in recent days. As of April 10, there are a total of 778 cases, 88 new cases, and 19 deaths.
There were 38 new cases on April 8 and 120 new cases on April 9. There are three new deaths since yesterday.
Inmate safety – Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano issued a statement April 9 calling for a limit on new individuals coming into the county jail and allowing early release for certain inmates already in the system.
Previously, Descano had implemented a policy allowing early release on a case-by-case basis for inmates in the Adult Detention Center scheduled to be released during Gov. Northam’s declaration of a state of emergency, which expires June 10.
“Starting immediately, I’m expanding the scope of this review with two important steps. First, we are expanding the cases we review for potential early release to include everyone currently in jail,” Descano announced on Twitter. “It will be done in stages, as this is a serious endeavor, but the goal is to review every case and recommend for early release if appropriate.”
Second, Descano says he will review all pretrial decisions made by his office before the COVID-19 outbreak in the community “to ensure that a decision made by this office falls in line not only with these policies, but more importantly with our community’s values.” For Descano, the values that guide his decisions are “to make sure no one falls through the cracks and to make sure this community is kept safe.”
At least one inmate at the Adult Detention Center, a man in his 20s, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Fire Department employee tests positive – A member of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has tested positive for COVID-19, the FCFRD announced April 9. The individual began feeling sick on March 18, was tested eight days later, has not been to work since experiencing mild symptoms, and is recovering.
“There have been no other similar illnesses reported among the individual’s shift or station. This does not appear to be a job-related exposure,” the FCFRD reports. No one else in the department
has tested positive for COVID-19. There are 17 department members under quarantine due to unrelated exposures.
Some ABC stores close – The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is closing 12 ABC stores in Northern Virginia beginning April 13, including the store in the Bradlick Shopping Center in Annandale.
The closures are being done to support employees’ decisions to self-quarantine when necessary, which has impacted staffing levels in the region.
All ABC stores are operating with reduced hours, noon-7 p.m., seven days a week. No more than 10 customers are allowed inside at a time.
Cocktails to go – Gov. Ralph Northam is allowing businesses with a license to sell alcoholic beverages to offer mixed drinks to-go or via delivery. Customers can buy two drinks per meal with a maximum of four drinks per order. This change is aimed at helping restaurants make up for lost business.
Food bank for pets – Chico’s Natural Pet Market in Barcroft Plaza has opened a Pet Pantry to provide pet food and supplies for financially struggling pet owners.
It’s available daily through April 30, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., at the store, 6349A Columbia Pike. You don’t have to bring a pet. The pet food bank is made possible by Chico’s premium-brand partners, distributors, and the generosity of Chico’s customers.
Cutest quarantined pet – Chico’s Natural Pet Market is sponsoring a photo contest featuring photos showing pets doing cute things while quarantined. Entries with the highest number of likes and comments will receive in-demand prizes, like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disinfectant bottle, and Chico’s gift card.
“We created this contest to bring a smile to everyone’s lives during this time, while encouraging social distancing,” says Chico’s owner Danielle Areco.
To enter the contest, join Chico’s COVID-19 group and post a photo in the “self-quarantined pet photo” subfolder. Entrants are encouraged to say what their pet is doing while quarantined.
Free legal help – Legal Services of Northern Virginia is providing free legal advice to low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals and families struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
LSNV can provide legal assistance with unemployment claims, evictions, foreclosures, and protective orders. Call 703-778-6800 or apply for services here.
Utility extensions – Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has asked the State Corporation Commission to extend their suspension of utility shutoffs until at least June 10.
During this emergency, “the public interest requires that basic needs such as power, heat, and water go uninterrupted for all customers,” Herring said on Twitter. He’s also requesting utilities be reconnected for people who lost service before the suspension and that late-payment fees be suspended.
Restaurants offer groceries – Panera Bread restaurants are offering grocery deliveries of certain items, including produce, dairy products, and baked goods. Customers can choose to pick them up or opt for free contactless delivery.
The Great American Restaurants chain is also offering fresh fruit and vegetable packages, as well as butcher shop meats, at its restaurants, including Silverado in Annandale. Orders are available curbside or can be delivered. Order online or from the GAR app.
COVID-19 action plan – People with asthma or other lung conditions should make a plan in case they contract COVID-19, Dr. Bobby Mahajan, medical director of interventional pulmonology at Inova Fairfax Hospital, says in an interview with WTOP.
Mahajan says people with these high-risk conditions should decide ahead of time who will take them to the hospital “if things are progressing, you’re not getting better with your fever, you’re coughing, and you’re starting to develop shortness of breath – especially if you already have an underlying lung disease that can make this escalate pretty quickly.”