Fredericksburg Alerts Residents To Coronavirus-Related Changes

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — As the number of positive coronavirus cases grows in the Fredericksburg area, city leaders are assuring residents that the government is continuing to provide essential services. But the city also wants residents to be prepared to answer additional questions about their condition if they call for an ambulance and to keep an emergency contact and prescription medication list on their refrigerators.

As of Monday morning, Virginia had 1,020 presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, and 25 deaths. The Fredericksburg area has 33 positive cases, with 23 in Stafford County, six in Spotsylvania County, two in the City of Fredericksburg and two in King George County. No deaths from the coronavirus have been reported in the Fredericksburg area.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued a "stay at home" order Monday as cases of the coronavirus topped 1,000. The "stay at home" order calls for residents to stay home except to obtain food and other essential services, obtain medical care, travel to and from work, take care of other individuals or animals, visit a relative, travel to and from an educational institution, volunteer with a group providing charitable or social services, or exercise outdoors with social distancing.

In Fredericksburg, city officials told residents that when taking calls, emergency operators may request detailed information about a person's condition so that first responders know what type of personal protective equipment to bring with them. Fredericksburg police officers also may ask to speak with residents outside of their homes or businesses based on the nature of the call to avoid potential coronavirus contamination.

On Monday, the city reminded residents that city parks remain open, but the city’s playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball courts, and pickle ball courts are closed in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. When using walking, running and biking trails in the city, residents should stay at least six feet away from other people.

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With scammers possibly trying to take advantage of the money to be disbursed from the federal coronavirus crisis stimulus, the city warned residents not to give anyone their PayPal account information, social security number, bank account number or any other personal information if someone claims such information is essential to sign them up for a stimulus check.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," the city said. "Trust your instincts and contact the Fredericksburg Police Department if we can be of any assistance."

As the number of coronavirus cases increases in the area, Fredericksburg's EMS agencies are not allowing relatives to ride with patients in an ambulance. Mary Washington Hospital also has strict restrictions on visitors. These rules could creates issues if a patient cannot provide a list of medications or medical history in a timely manner.

The city recommends that residents create an up-to-date medical information, medications and emergency contact list and place a copy of the list on their refrigerator for paramedics to find in an emergency. The list should include:

• All prescribed medications.
• All over-the-counter medications and supplements.
• Name, dosage and frequency of the medication.
• Reason for taking the medications.
• Pharmacy name and number and prescribing doctor.
• Emergency contact.
• Allergies or significant medical history.

Residents with questions about the coronavirus should contact the Virginia Department of Health’s call center at 877-275-8343. The city government can reached at 540-372-1010 or www.fredericksburgva.gov.

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