Spiritual Support Team aids older residents overwhelmed by coronavirus fears

A Call Center staff member answer questions about COVID-19.

The Fairfax County Spiritual Support Team is offering support by telephone to adults age 60 and over who are feeling overwhelmed, scared, isolated, and in need of comfort during the coronavirus pandemic. Fairfax County announced this service in its Emergency Information blog April 20.

The team is composed of members of the Fairfax County Community Chaplain Corps and ordained clergy and faith leaders from various religions.

The program is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. If you would like to speak with a member of the team, call 703-324-5185 and leave your name and phone number. Your personal information will be protected.

A Spiritual Response Team member will return your call and speak with you for up to 30 minutes to hear your concerns and help you find peace and comfort in these challenging times. If you need more than spiritual comfort, you will be connected to county resources.

The team members are sensitive to all faith traditions and provide appropriate and spiritual care to all persons in need, irrespective of their religious or nonreligious identity. They do not proselytize, and they do not provide mental health services. The team was set up to provide care and spiritual support to community members during and after an emergency or disaster.

Fairfax County also has a COVID-19 Call Center, operated by the Health Department, to handle all kinds of coronavirus questions from residents, health providers, and businesses. The call center is staffed by 40 public health nurses, school health aides, and other medical professionals.

They offer advice on such issues as how to get tested, how to deal with a sick household member, abd how an infected person should reach out to those they’ve had contact with. Call center staff also contact people reported as having COVID-19 and assess their risk of exposing others.

The call center can be reached at 703-267-3511 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

As of April 20, the Fairfax Health District has had a total of 1,970 COVID-19 cases, including 150 new ones, and 59 deaths.