Fairfax County Coronavirus Update: 532 Cases, Donations Sought

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Cases of the coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, have increased to 532 in the Fairfax Health District as of Tuesday. The Fairfax County Health Department said the number of deaths increased to nine. The numbers represent the health district as a whole, which includes Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church City.

The health department expects cases to continue increasing in the coming weeks. Since the number only reflects cases confirmed through laboratory testing, additional cases are expected. The health department cautioned that the numbers may not accurately show who has COVID-19 illness due to limited testing capacity. Groups such as seniors and those in assisted living facilities have a higher risk of severe illness and are more likely to be tested.

The breakdown of cases by age is:

• Ages 0-17: 7 cases, or 2.5 per 100,000 people
• Ages 18-49: 256 cases, or 49.8 per 100,000 people
• Ages 50-64: 150 cases, or 65.2 per 100,000 people
• Ages 65 and over: 113 cases, or 77.0 per 100,000 people
• Total 526 cases, or 45.1 per 100,000 people

This data does not reflect the latest total of cases due to ongoing case investigations.

The specific locations of cases aren't being released by the health department. "This is due to health care privacy laws and also because we believe that all geographic areas of Fairfax County currently are at risk of disease transmission," reads a statement from the county.

The Fairfax Health District continues to report the most cases of any Virginia locality. The next highest numbers are 267 in Henrico County, 237 in Arlington County, 236 in Prince William County, 209 in Loudoun County and 200 in Virginia Beach. Statewide, 3,333 cases and 63 deaths were reported Tuesday.

Public health officials have found evidence of community spread, or exposure from an unknown source, since mid-March in Northern Virginia. The latest recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control calls on people to wear cloth face coverings in places where maintaining six feet of distance from others is difficult, like grocery stores.

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Fairfax County as they happen. Sign up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

As the religious holidays of Easter, Passover and Ramadan occur in April, the county reminds residents of the statewide gathering ban of more than 10 people. The state order affects religious gatherings, and a violation can result in a Class 1 misdemeanor. Residents are asked to consider virtual gatherings as an alternative to more than 10 people who aren't relatives living in the same household. Check with your place of worship for virtual service options.

In response to donation offers, the county has compiled a number of ways to help. Monetary donations can go to the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia's COVID-19 Response Fund. The county is accepting personal protective equipment donations for health department staff and safety net health care providers. Donations can include N95 masks, surgical masks, disposable medical gowns, shoe coverings, hair coverings, nitrile gloves and other medical supplies. Volunteer Fairfax also has a list of donation requests from nonprofits.

Residents can sign up for Fairfax County updates by texting FFXCOVID to 888777. For public health information and county operating updates, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19. Questions can be directed to the coronavirus information line at 703-267-3511, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SEE ALSO:

• Fairfax Connector Alters Service Due To Coronavirus
• Fairfax Schools Continue Meal Distribution During Spring Break