VA Coronavirus Cases Reported In Fairfax, Spotsylvania

VIRGINIA — Two new cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, have been reported in Virginia — one in Fairfax City and the other in Spotsylvania County — bringing the total number of presumptive positive test results to six in the state as of midday Tuesday, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The case in Fairfax City is the wife of a man who recently returned from a Nile cruise and whose test came back presumed positive on Saturday.

Among the six presumed positive coronavirus cases in Virginia, two have been reported in Fairfax City, one in Prince William County, one in Arlington County, one in Spotsylvania County and one in Loudoun County.

The Fairfax City woman traveled on the same Nile River cruise as her husband. On March 5, when her husband was tested, she was asked to self-quarantine, stay home and avoid contact with others and has been compliant, the Virginia Department of Health said. When she developed minor respiratory illness symptoms, the Health Department determined that testing was warranted and specimens were sent to the Virginia state laboratory on Sunday.

The resident is currently doing well but was hospitalized while testing was completed. The positive result, returned late Monday, is considered presumptive pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We know the risk of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) increases among close contacts of infected persons,” Fairfax Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu said late Monday in a statement. “Based on the results of our contact investigation to date, the individual had limited contact with others outside the home while ill so the risk to the general Fairfax community remains low.”

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The other presumptive positive case is a resident of Spotsylvania County in his 50s. The individual developed fever, cough and shortness of breath and then sought medical attention. The man is currently hospitalized in stable condition. The investigation is in its very early stages and health officials are trying to determine how the patient contracted the illness, the Spotsylvania County government said Tuesday in a news release.

The case was brought to the attention of the Rappahannock Area Health District, and testing for the novel coronavirus was conducted by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in Richmond.

The positive test result came back Monday afternoon. The positive test result is considered a presumptive positive, pending confirmatory testing by CDC. The patient is currently under medical care and is in stable condition, according to the physician providing care.

"We are reaching out to contacts and conducting risk assessments in order to take appropriate actions to protect the contacts’ and the public’s health," Rappahannock Area Health Director Brooke Rossheim said in a statement.

"The risk of novel coronavirus infection in the general population of Spotsylvania County continues to remain low. At this time, there is no evidence to support community transmission of COVID-19 in Spotsylvania County or the Rappahannock Area Health District," Rossheim said.

The other presumed positive cases in Virginia are a Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico who recently returned from a work trip to Ethiopia and is being treated at a hospital on Fort Belvoir. Another person with a presumptive positive test is an Arlington resident in their 60s who had recently returned from international travel. The person had developed fever, cough and shortness of breath. Loudoun County health officials reported Tuesday that a man in his 40s contracted the virus while attending Christ Church Georgetown, where the rector reportedly came down ill with the coronavirus.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can cause mild to more severe respiratory illness. In a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can cause death, particularly among those who are older or who have chronic medical conditions.

Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person. COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

To lower the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus or spreading COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following behaviors:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid non-essential travel.

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