More coronavirus cases in Northern Virginia, Metro announces cutbacks

The most recent coronavirus cases in Northern Virginia involve a nursing home resident in Falls Church, a female in her 60s in Fairfax County who was exposed during travel in Iran, and a female in her 30s in Fairfax County whose situation is under investigation.

A resident of the Kensington, an assisted living and memory care facility in the City of Falls Church, has been in isolation since he began showing systems of respiratory illness on March 14. Seven other people at the facility tested for COVID-19 had negative results.

Visitor restrictions had already been in place at the Kensington. The Fairfax County Department of Health deployed an infection control team to the facility to determine the potential source of the exposure.

There are now 16 cases in Fairfax County, the Health Department reports.

There are 94 coronavirus cases in Virginia as of March 19, up from 77 yesterday, said Dr. Norman Oliver, the state’s health commissioner, at Gov. Ralph Northam’s daily coronavirus briefing.

Related story: Virginia enforces social isolation requirement

There have been three outbreaks – in which two or cases that can be traced to common exposure – including one in James City County and two in the Richmond area, Oliver said.

In other coronavirus news:

Health capacity – Dan Carey, Virginia’s secretary of health and human services, says the state’s hospitals and health systems have 2,000 ICU beds with access to ventilators and respiratory support equipment. In addition, six regional healthcare coalitions have 400 ventilator units that can be deployed as needed.

Northam said the National Guard could possibly be deployed to ensure adequate hospital capacity. “That is certainly an option,” he said. “We have not made that decision.”

Testing – There is a nationwide shortage of test kits and testing supplies, and Virginia’s Division of Consolidated Laboratory Service is attempting to procure as much of these supplies as possible and get them to localities where they are needed most.

Oliver urges people who become ill and think they might have COVID-19 to go to their primary care provider and get tested. If their provider can’t give them a test, they should contact their local health department.

There is a screening mechanism in place for people who request testing. They will first be asked whether they have traveled to endemic areas and whether they have symptoms.

Food shopping – Giant Food will offer a dedicated shopping period, 6-7 a.m. daily, for senior citizens age 60 and over and individuals with compromised immune systems. This policy, to take effect March 20 at all Giant stores, will enable the most vulnerable people to practice social distancing while shopping.

Business assistance – Now that Fairfax County has made a Declaration of Emergency, businesses can apply for emergency loans from the Small Business Administration. Visit this page for more information.

Metro – The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority has made additional service cuts. Metro is running only every 15 minutes on each line and is closing at 11:30 p.m., a half hour earlier. Weekend service is 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

The Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery Metro stations will be closed, effective 5 p.m. on March 19, to discourage the use of Metro to visit the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin. WMATA urges people to use Metro for essential trips only.

Metrobuses are running on a Sunday schedule all week long. There will be supplemental service on selected routes to prevent crowding and make sure areas are not cut off. Bus drivers have the authority to bypass bus stops to “maintain safe social distancing aboard buses.”

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has authorized an additional $11 million to help public transit agencies address ridership losses and other coronavirus-related expenses. That includes $1.14 million for the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.

Ridership was down 70 percent on March 16. According to the Washington Post, Metro has asked Congress for emergency funding, as the agency has a projected deficit of more than $50 million a month.


Related story: Board of Supervisors approves declaration of emergency

School meals – Fairfax County Public Schools has increased its meal delivery site to several new locations, including Mason Crest Elementary School, 10-10:30 a.m., and Jackson Middle School, 11-11:30 a.m. See the full list here.

Childcare – The state has issued guidance for childcare providers to help them meet the governor’s directive to have 10 or fewer people gathered in one place, said Duke Storen, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services.

The guidance calls for limiting classrooms to 10 people, including teachers; serving meals in classrooms; and staggering recess. Storen encouraged people to keep their children at home to ensure childcare space is available for healthcare workers and others who are required to work.

Employee assistance –The Virginia Employment Commission will waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive unemployment benefits as soon as possible. Employers who slow or cease operations will not be financially penalized for an increase in workers requesting unemployment benefits.

If a worker has been issued a notice to self-quarantine by a medical or public health official and is not receiving paid sick or medical leave from their employer, they may be eligible for unemployment benefits. In addition, workers may be eligible for benefits if they must stay home to care for an ill family member.

Tax relief – Fairfax County has extended the application deadline to June 1 for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for tax relief.

Blood shortage – Virginia is experiencing a blood shortage, as thousands of blood drives have been canceled in recent weeks. James Hatcher, regional manager of the American Red Cross, urges people to make an appointment online to donate blood. He said there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted via blood.

Education testing – Northam said he is working on ensuring maximum flexibility for students subject to standardized tests, so high school seniors can still graduate and so schools’ accreditation isn’t jeopardized.