Tag: health

Gov. Northam announces more restrictions in face of COVID-19 emergency
Metro ridership is way down, as WMATA announces more service cuts. [WTOP] Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced more restrictions March 23 aimed at flattening the curve of new coronavirus cases. All schools statewide will remain closed at least through the end of the academic year. Gatherings of 10 people or more are banned. Northam signed … Continued
Fairfax County Health Department announces first COVID-19 death
The Fairfax County Health Department is reporting its first death of a hospitalized patient who previously tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. The patient was a male in his 60s who acquired the disease through contact with a previously reported case. The cause of death was respiratory failure as a result of COVID-19. … Continued

Pastor in Bailey’s Crossroads tests positive for coronavirus
Pastor Kenny Baldwin of Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey’s Crossroads has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). He became ill with respiratory symptoms on March 12 while traveling out of state, the Fairfax County Health Department states, and is currently hospitalized. Baldwin is in his 40s. Crossroads Baptist Church reported on Friday evening that doctors informed … Continued

Beer and wine takeout now available
Sign spotted in Annandale. Virginia now allows restaurants to provide beer and wine to takeout customers, Gov. Ralph Northam announced during his daily coronavirus briefing on March 20. Restaurants statewide are required to limit occupancy to no more than 10 people at a time and are encouraged to offer takeout and delivery options instead of … Continued

Lt. Gov. urges bolder state action on coronavirus
Fairfax Virginia is not doing enough to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax charges. Fairfax urges Gov. Ralph Northam to “implement much bolder and swifter measures to flatten the curve and combat this unprecedented health and, consequently, economic threat.” Here are Fairfax’s recommendations: Join Maryland and the District of Columbia … Continued

Coronavirus will devastate regional economy
The large federal presence in the Washington, D.C., region will not insulate the region’s economy from an economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The economic impact in the D.C. region “will mirror the trajectory of the U.S.,” states an analysis published March 18 by the Stephen S. Fuller Institute at George Mason University’s School … Continued

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 … Continued

Virginia enforces social isolation requirement
The Annandale Burger King is offering take-out service only. Virginia Ralph Northam and state Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver issued a public health emergency order that gives local and state law enforcement agencies the power to enforce the ban prohibiting more than 10 patrons in restaurants, fitness centers, and theaters. On March 17, Northam called … Continued

Northam shuts down DMV offices
Gov. Northam speaks at a news briefing March 17. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has closed all DMV offices statewide in response to the coronavirus pandemic. For anyone whose licenses and registrations expire on May 15, the state will grant a 15-day extension. Online services are still available. Speaking at a news conference March 17, Northam … Continued

Board of Supervisors approves declaration of emergency
McKay speaks at an emergency Board of Supervisors meeting March 17. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a “declaration of emergency” March 17 aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. The resolution, effective March 17, facilitates applications for federal and state disaster assistance. “It gives us more flexibility” said Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey … Continued

FCPS adds 11 schools to free meals program
Families pick up packaged lunches at Bailey’s Elementary School. UPDATE, March 19: Many more sites have been added. See the full list here. Beginning on Tuesday, March 17, Fairfax County Public Schools is adding 11 schools to its meal distribution program for a total of 29. The program ensures schoolchildren can get free healthy grab-and-go … Continued

Large gatherings banned; libraries, RECenters, and senior centers closed
Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia in response to the continued spread of COVID-19 on March 12. Updated: 3/15, 9 p.m. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on March 15 announced a statewide ban on all events with more than 100 people. “If you are planning an event with several … Continued

FCPS closes schools until further notice, expands meal distribution to 18 locations
Brabrand In order to curb the spread of coronavirus, all Fairfax County Public Schools are closed until further notice, FCPS announced March 15. That includes all administrative offices, as well as all school buildings. The laptop distribution that had been scheduled for March 16 has been cancelled, states a notice from Superintendent Scott Brabrand. Only … Continued

Health Department announces four new coronavirus cases, including a teacher
The Fairfax County Health Department is reported four additional presumptive positive cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) today. That brings the total number of positive cases to 10 in Fairfax County and 41 in Virginia. The coronavirus cases in Fairfax County include three individuals from the same household who were close contacts to a presumptive positive … Continued

Two new coronavirus cases in Fairfax County
Two new presumptive positive coronavirus cases were announced by the Fairfax County Health Department March 13, bringing the total to six. One case involves an individual in her 40s who was in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case linked to Christ Church in Georgetown. The individual developed respiratory symptoms on March 3 and sought … Continued