Fredericksburg Coronavirus Video Update

Press release from the City of Fredericksburg:

April 1, 2020

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Video Update

Updated: April 1

Bill Freehling, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the City of Fredericksburg, shares information on the many resources for our small business community during this pandemic.

Locally we have created a website called FxbgLoveLocal.com which promotes all of the businesses in 22401 which remain open for takeout and delivery. We’ve also started a grants program through the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority where small businesses in 22401 can apply for grant funding. The deadline is 5:00pm this Friday, April 3rd. The application is available Fredericksburgva.com. As of the time of this announcement we’ve already received applications from over 100 of our local businesses. And we expect funds will be available in the next couple of weeks.

City Council expects to take some additional measures next Tuesday, April 7 at their Special Virtual Council Meeting. Other resources for our business community are the website and blog online at Fredericksburgva.com, the Fred Focus email newsletter, active social media accounts for FXBGEDT and also a business resource page specific to COVID-19 related business resources. For more information, please feel free to call 540-372-1216.

On a federal level, Congress passed the CARES Act which provides for a $2 Trillion dollar stimulus for our economy. In addition to the individual stimulus checks, there are also several programs geared toward the small business community through the U.S. Small Business Administration including the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Load Advance, and others. Please be sure to check the SBA website or our blog on Fredericksburgva.com.

Today is Census Day, the day on which every ten years we base the count of the nation’s population. The results of the census directly influence the amount of federal aid our community receives for numerous programs and determines the City’s representation at all levels of elected officials.

So far, only 38% of Fredericksburg households have responded to the census and we need to make sure everyone is counted. You can respond online at 2020census.gov, by phone, or mail. Responding takes only a few minutes and the information is completely confidential. Responding online ensures that no census taker will come to your house which is especially important today.

Mike Jones, Fredericksburg Fire Chief, provides today’s update on COVID-19 statistics. In the United States we have almost 200,000 positive cases of COVID-19 which have resulted in over 4,300 deaths. In Virginia, we have tested over 15,000 people, with almost 1,500 positive cases. 208 of those cases are hospitalized and 35 have died in our Commonwealth. Here in our immediate area we have a total of 45 positive cases: 26 in Stafford; 12 in Spotsylvania; 2 in Fredericksburg and 5 in King George. And 1 death from a COVID-19 related illness.

What does the Governor’s Executive Order #55 (the Stay at Home Order) mean to us? Under this order, you can go to the grocery store; pharmacy; visit health care providers; take pets to veterinarians; exercise outdoors and other errands of a critical nature. What you should NOT do? Do not visit relatives over 60 years old. Do not host a party or cookout. Don’t gather in groups outside. Don’t play contact sports, such as football. These put you and your loved ones at risk.

If you are feeling stressed, please call the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board hotline with emergency therapist available 24/7 at 540-373-6876. If you have questions about your health, call the Health Link Nurses Line available 6am to Midnight seven days a week at 540-741-1000. For questions about COVID-19 call the Virginia Department of Health call center at 1-877-ASK-VDH3, which is 1-877-275-8343.

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This press release was produced by the City of Fredericksburg. The views expressed here are the author’s own.