Cases Of New Coronavirus Up To 6 In Fairfax Health District

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — On Friday, the Fairfax County Health Department confirmed two additional presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. That brings the total to six presumptive cases in the Fairfax Health District, which covers Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church City. The City of Falls Church said Friday no known cases were in its jurisdiction. Cases are presumptive positive until confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One patient is a woman in her 40s who was in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 and is linked to Christ Church in Georgetown. The woman started experiencing respiratory symptoms on March 3 and sought medical care on March 11. The patient is isolated and doing well at home; she was not hospitalized.

The other new patient is a person in his 60s who had contact with a positive COVID-19 case reported by the Department of Defense. The man started showing respiratory symptoms on March 5 and was hospitalized on March 11.

The health department did not specify where the two new patients live within the Fairfax Health District.

Two other cases announced Thursday were tied to a presumptive positive case in North Carolina. One patient is the spouse of the person who tested positive for COVID-19 in North Carolina on March 9. A Fairfax County resident in his 60s, the patient started experiencing respiratory symptoms on March 2. The second patient had close contact with the person who tested positive in North Carolina. He is a Fairfax County resident in his 20s and started showing symptoms on March 6. Both patients are isolated at home.

The remaining cases in the Fairfax Health District involve a married couple in Fairfax City who went on a Nile River cruise. As of Friday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 30 presumptive cases of the new coronavirus statewide. Ten of these cases resulted in hospitalizations.

SEE ALSO: Virginia Coronavirus Updates: What You Need To Know

Reducing the spread of the new coronavirus is a focus of public health officials. The Fairfax County Health Department is working with the Virginia Department of Health and health care provider to identify people in close contact with individuals confirmed to have COVID-19. Close contacts will self-quarantine and be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms. Those showing symptoms will immediately be tested.

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"We strongly recommend that all residents, workers, students, and visitors take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against novel coronavirus," said Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, director of the Fairfax County Health Department. "Public Health will continue working with local, state, federal, and community partners to reduce the risk of community spread."

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. First found in Wuhan, China during December 2019, it can range from mild to more severe illness, including some cases resulting in death. People who are older or have chronic medical conditions have a higher risk or developing a more serious illness.

Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing and can appear two to 14 days after exposure. According to the CDC, COVID-19 is thought to spread between people within six feet of each other through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The health department is recommending the following measures to prevent the spread of respiratory illness:

• Individuals at increased risk for severe illness, including pregnant women, older adults and persons of any age with underlying health conditions should avoid non-essential travel, public gatherings, or places where large groups of people congregate, such as ticketed events (such as theaters, concert halls, and sporting events).
• Abstain from all cruise ship travel, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Avoid travel to all areas where there are outbreaks of COVID-19.
• 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.
• If you are mildly sick with a fever, stay home until you have been fever-free for 24 hours, except to get medical care.
• Those with high risk factors and who have fever or new or worsening cough, should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick.
• Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about COVID-19.

Residents can find information on the new coronavirus from the Fairfax County Health Department, Virginia Department of Health, and the CDC. Call the Fairfax County coronavirus information line with questions at 703-267-3511 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.