Fairfax County Coronavirus: Presumptive Cases Up To 16

FAIRFAX, VA — The Fairfax County Health Department reported Wednesday evening the number of presumptive positive new coronavirus cases is up to 16. Health officials released information on how patients were exposed in 13 of the cases.

The total represents the number of patients in the Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County, Fairfax City and the City of Falls Church. The total reflects a new case involving a resident of The Kensington assisted living facility in the City of Falls Church. Presumptive positive cases must be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The health department did not indicate where the patients live in their jurisdictions, but it has released information on the patients' gender, age range and source of exposure. So far, the health department hasn't identified cases attributed to community spread. The source of exposure for 13 of the cases involved travel or contact with a known case, and the 14th case is under investigation.

Here is what we know about 14 of the cases:

1. Man in his 80s, exposure during Nile River cruise
2. Woman in her 60s, exposure during Nile River cruise
3. Man in his 60s, close contact to a case in North Carolina
4. Man in his 20s, close contact to a case in North Carolina
5. Woman in her 40s, close contact to a case linked to Christ Church in Georgetown
6. Man in his 60s, close contact to a case reported by the Department of Defense
7. Woman in her 30s, household contact to case 4
8. Woman in her 50s, household contact to case 4
9. Man in his 60s, household contact to case 4
10. Man in his 70s, exposure during Nile River cruise
11. Man in his 50s, close contact to a case in Colorado
12. Man in his 70s, exposure during Nile River cruise
13. Woman in her 60s, exposure during travel to Iran
14. Woman in her 30s, case investigation underway

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The health department does not conduct the testing, but it does conduct a contact investigation upon receiving a presumptive positive result. That involves looking 14 days prior to symptoms appearing to determine where the patient was exposed. The second component is identifying individuals who the patient may have exposed and contacting them with additional guidance. A person identified as a contact is asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and will monitor for symptoms.

"If a contact investigation determines there's a need to notify the community of additional details, then that information will be provided," reads a statement on the health department's website.

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According to the health department, an individual who develops symptoms of the new coronavirus (fever, cough and shortness of breath) should contact a healthcare provider to determine the need for testing. A person waiting for test results should stay home except to get medical care, call ahead before visiting a doctor, stay in a room away from others as much as possible, wear a facemask in the presence of a healthcare provider and others, cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands often, avoid sharing household items and monitor symptoms.

On Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam urged people 65 or older or those with chronic health conditions to self-quarantine to protect them from the coronavirus. The public health guidance for people who are healthy is to practice social distancing. That means:

• Do not hug, shake hands, or high five. These actions can transmit a virus from person-to-person.
• Maintain a distance of approximately six feet from others when possible.
• Avoid mass gatherings and congregate settings. The CDC defines congregate settings as crowded public places where close contact with others may occur, such as shopping centers, movie theaters and stadiums.
• Those who are at risk for more severe COVID-19 illness, such as older adults and persons with compromised immunity, should limit contact with others and be rigorous about social distancing and other protective measures
• Use good protective behaviors: wash your hands frequently using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds; cover coughs and sneezes; stay away from others if you’re ill, and disinfect high-touch surfaces at home and work.

Residents can find public health guidance on the new coronavirus from the Fairfax County Health Department, Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.