Ominous Meaning To Fewer VA Child Abuse Calls | Patch PM

There was plenty of news across Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia on Thursday. If you missed any of it on your local Patch, here's a roundup of some of the top stories from the past 24 hours.

Latest Coronavirus News In DC, Virginia

Child Abuse Reports Plummet During Virginia Coronavirus

As Virginia's school closures and stay-at-home order keeps kids at home, the number of hotline calls to Child Protective Services has plunged, which is cause for concern.

Care Facility Coronavirus Response 'Totally Appropriate': Northam

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam defended the state's response to what is now the deadliest coronavirus outbreak at a long-term care facility in the United States. The latest numbers available show 45 residents of Canterbury Rehabilitation and Health Care in Henrico County near Richmond have died since March 18.

• VA, DC Coronavirus-Related Unemployment Claims Drop Slightly
• Latest Arlington Coronavirus Numbers: 33 New Cases Reported

Pastry Chef Makes Treat Boxes For Coronavirus Front-Line Workers

A local pastry chef is making sweet treats for health care workers and first responders who are on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis. Farozan Jivraj, owner of Cupcake Novelties, has delivered treat boxes to nurses at several hospitals and other places where workers are putting their lives on the line to help others.

9 New Coronavirus Deaths In DC; Total Cases Exceed 2,300

The D.C. Department of Health confirmed nine new deaths Thursday related to the coronavirus, bringing the total number of District deaths caused by the virus to 81. Authorities also noted 153 new positive cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of positive cases in the District to 2,350.

Fairfax Schools Distance Learning Was A Disaster, Board Says

Overlapping blunders in teacher training, technology and security are being blamed for the disastrous rollout of the Fairfax County Public Schools distance learning system this week, which forced frustrating delays on consecutive days before the administrators finally decided to temporarily pull the plug on Wednesday.

Other Top Headlines

• Alexandria Backs Rent Moratorium During Coronavirus Crisis
• Fredericksburg Furloughs 40 Employees Due To Coronavirus Pressure
• Fredericksburg-Area Libraries Host Emergency Blood Drives
• 'Grasscycling' Suggested To Relieve Stress On Waste Operations
• Alexandria DASH Bus Driver Tests Positive For Coronavirus
• Coronavirus: Partnership Helps Feed DC Area Hospital Workers
• Supervisors Approve Arrowbrook Centre Residential Development
• DC Woman, 28, Killed In Northwest Shooting: Police
• Alexandria Backs Rent Moratorium During Coronavirus Crisis

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