Fairfax County Cases Exceed 10K, What Phase 1 Means For NoVA

VIRGINIA — On Wednesday, 902 additional cases of the coronavirus and 45 deaths have been reported in the commonwealth, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The latest cumulative totals are 40,249 cases, 1,281 deaths, and 4,385 hospitalizations. Gov. Ralph Northam confirmed Wednesday all of Virginia will be in phase one of reopening by Friday, May 29 as Northern Virginia, city of Richmond and Accomack County join the rest of the commonwealth.

The nine localities in Northern Virginia account for 509 of the state's 902 new cases. Fairfax County, the most populous jurisdiction in the state, had 230 new cases alone and passed the 10,000 mark for cumulative cases. The county accounts for 10,069 of Virginia's 40,249 total cases, or approximately 25 percent.

Wednesday marked the day with the highest number of reported deaths in the region. There were 37 new deaths reported on May 27; the next highest death totals were 32 each on May 3 and 8. The region's cumulative death total is 695.

SEE ALSO: U.S. Coronavirus Live Blog: 100,000 Dead

On a brighter note for the region, the percentage of positive tests is trending down. Northern Virginia's latest 7-day positivity rate for only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests was 18.2 percent on May 24, down from 20.3 percent on May 23 and 23.2 percent on May 20. Virginia's latest 7-day positivity rate for PCR tests is 13.9 percent, down from 14.1 percent on Tuesday. To date,275,074 PCR tests and 33,079 antibody tests have been completed in Virginia.

The number of daily hospitalizations are also on a downward trend in the region, with 33 new patients reported on Wednesday. The days with the highest new hospitalizations in Northern Virginia were April 19 (95 hospitalizations), May 6 (84 hospitalizations) and May 3 (83 hospitalizations).

Statewide, the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association reported 1,459 pending or confirmed COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized, up from 1,403 on Tuesday. There have been 5,367 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals, up from 5,227 on Tuesday.

There are 203 COVID-19 patients using ventilators, up from 190 on Tuesday. A total of 610 ventilators of 2,994 available at hospitals are in use, representing 20-percent use in Virginia. A total of 390 pending or confirmed COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in the intensive care unit, up from 366 on Tuesday. No hospitals are experiencing difficulty obtaining or restocking protective gear or other medical supplies in the next 72 hours.

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A total of 330 outbreaks have been reported statewide, including 192 at long-term care facilities, 81 at congregate settings and 25 at correctional facilities. Outbreaks, defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed cases, account for 4,569 cases and 731 deaths at long-term care facilities.

Here are the latest cumulative case updates for our coverage areas from Tuesday to Wednesday:

• Alexandria: 1,824 cases, 175 hospitalizations, 42 deaths; increase of 39 cases and one death
• Arlington County: 1,988 cases, 371 hospitalizations, 109 deaths; increase of 53 cases, four hospitalizations and five deaths
• Fairfax County: 10,069 cases, 1,266 hospitalizations, 364 deaths; increase of 230 cases, 21 hospitalizations and 24 deaths
• Fairfax City: 59 cases, eight hospitalizations, four deaths; no change
• Falls Church: 53 cases, 11 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of four cases, one hospitalization and two deaths
• Loudoun County: 2,274 cases, 155 hospitalizations, 53 deaths; increase of 88 cases, two hospitalizations and one death
• Manassas: 966 cases, 61 hospitalizations, 10 deaths; increase of 10 cases and one death
• Manassas Park: 280 cases, 30 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of three cases
• Prince William County: 5,074 cases, 435 hospitalizations, 99 deaths; increase of 82 cases, five hospitalizations and three deaths
• Fredericksburg: 135 cases, 16 hospitalizations, no deaths; decrease of one case
• Spotsylvania County: 474 cases, 35 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of 11 cases
• Stafford County: 657 cases, 69 hospitalizations, four deaths; increase of 15 cases

Changes Coming for Phase One Reopening in Northern Virginia

When phase one of reopening starts for Northern Virginia, Richmond and Accomack County, there will be several changes to know. We've summarized the main changes below. Full details on phase one restrictions are available at www.virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia.

• Masks will be required for anyone 10 and up inside brick-and-mortar retail, personal care and grooming businesses, places where people congregate, food and beverage businesses, on public transportation, and at state or local government services. The requirement will not apply to eating and drinking at restaurants and exercising. Anyone with a health condition that prevents them from wearing a face mask will not have to wear one.
• Gatherings over 10 people remain banned.
• Restaurants, food courts, food trucks, breweries, distilleries and wineries can offer outdoor dine-in service at 50 percent capacity. Tables must be spaced six feet apart with no more than 10 people per table. Indoor dining areas must be closed, and restaurants can continue takeout and delivery services. Employees in dining and service areas must wear face coverings. Disposable menus are required in phase one.
• Gyms, recreation centers and sports centers can open for outdoor fitness activities. Individuals must stay 10 feet apart, and equipment must be spaced 10 feet apart. Exercise classes must be capped at 10 people.
• Beauty salons, barbershops, spas and other personal care businesses can provide services by appointment only. One appointment per service provider is allowed. Capacity should be limited to 50 percent, and stations should be spaced at least six feet apart.
• Nonessential brick-and-mortar retail can operate at 50 percent capacity. Retailers must assist with keeping six feet of space between individuals or households while shopping and waiting in line. Meeting rooms and other enclosed spaces such as fitting rooms should be closed to customers.
• Outdoor pools can open for lap swimming only with one person per lane. Hot tubs, spas, splash pads, spray pools, interactive play features, basketball courts, racquetball courts and all seating in pool areas must be closed.
• Places of worship can open at 50 percent capacity and offer drive-in services. Individuals attending services should be seated six feet apart from other families.
• All farmers markets can continue to offer pre-order and pickup options. Outdoor farmers markets can allow on-site shopping if physical distancing is followed. Employees and vendors must wear face coverings, and markets should provide hand sanitizer stations or hand washing stations.
• Entertainment and public amusement venues must remain closed.
• Overnight summer camps remain closed. Private campgrounds are open. All common areas that encourage gathering like pavilions, gazebos and picnic areas must remain closed.
• State parks are open for day use, and overnight use will be allowed in phases.

SEE ALSO:

• Northam Announces Face Mask Policy, NoVA Reopening To Be Allowed
• NoVA Leaders Address Possible Reopening On May 29