Latest Cases, Dine-In Policy, Businesses Adapt | Coronavirus News

Patch has 32 sites in communities in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Here are some of the top posts from the past week related to the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.

DC, VA New Coronavirus Updates

Virginia Coronavirus Updates: What To Know For Week Of March 15

As the new coronavirus situation continues to evolve, cases are on the rise in Virginia and the U.S. The Virginia Department of Health confirmed two deaths and 114 presumptive positive cases of new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Friday. The two deaths were reported in southeast Virginia's Peninsula Health District.

• VA Coronavirus Cases Surpass 150; Hospitals Free To Add More Beds
• VA Coronavirus Cases Surpass 100, Workers Told To Contact OSHA
• Virginia Coronavirus: Child Tests Positive, Cases Up To 94
• Coronavirus Outbreaks Identified, Cases Up To 77 In Virginia
• VA Coronavirus Count Climbs Above 50; UVA Reports First Case

1st Coronavirus Death In DC Confirmed; Closure Orders Modified

Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the District's first death due to the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. She also pushed back the date when her mass gathering order would end, as well as when D.C. schools would reopen.

• First Coronavirus Death In Fairfax County Reported
• 9 New Positive Coronavirus Cases Reported In DC
• 3 DC Firefighters Test Positive For Coronavirus

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Arlington Coronavirus Sample Collection Site Open For Business

Arlington's drive-thru coronavirus sample collection site processed 6o samples from county residents on its first day, which is more than Melody Dickerson, Virginia Hospital Center's (VHC) chief nursing officer, anticipated.

VA Governor Waives Waiting Period For Coronavirus Worker Benefits

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam offered workers in the state some relief Tuesday from coronavirus-related financial concerns by waiving a one-week waiting period for workers to receive unemployment benefits through the Virginia Employment Commission. Northam's executive action also will broaden the number of workers who will be eligible to receive unemployment benefits if an employer needs to temporarily slow or cease operations due to the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.

NoVa Churchgoers Warned To Self-Quarantine Over Coronavirus

The Fairfax County Health Department is asking individuals who attended a church service in Bailey's Crossroads to self-quarantine for 14 days after a 40-year-old man tested positive for the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

• GMU Student At Arlington Campus Tests Positive For Coronavirus
• First Presumptive Coronavirus Case Identified In Falls Church
• Loudoun Elementary School Staffer Tests Positive For Coronavirus
• Officer Based Near Franconia-Springfield Has New Coronavirus
• Teacher Among 4 More Fairfax County Presumptive Coronavirus Cases
• Mary Washington Healthcare Treating Its First Coronavirus Patient

VA Governor Opposes Closing Restaurants To Contain Coronavirus

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday he is adopting the federal government's guideline of limiting gatherings to 10 people or more in a confined space in response to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. But the governor did not order restaurants and bars in the state to close as some local officials in Northern Virginia requested Monday.

• DC Ends Seating At Restaurants, Bars Under Coronavirus Response
• Arlington County Implores Restaurants To Close Over Coronavirus

Absentee Voting By Mail Encouraged For Fredericksburg Election

The Virginia Department of Elections is encouraging Fredericksburg residents to vote absentee by mail in the May elections for local offices in light of concerns about the new coronavirus, or COVID-19. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5. Voters will choose the mayor, two at-large city council members and two at-large school board members.

• Loudoun Offering Only Curbside In-Person Absentee Voting
• Absentee Voting Encouraged For Vienna Town Election In May

Small Business Owners Band Together During Time Of Coronavirus

Realizing many other small business owners in the area might be in the same boat, a duo decided to produce a video public service announcement (PSA) that would remind residents in Herndon, Reston, and Chantilly to support local businesses during these times of social distancing.

• Alexandria Businesses Adapt During Coronavirus Outbreak
• Coronavirus: Restrictions Eased To Aid Alexandria Businesses
• Del Ray Restaurants Adjust To New Coronavirus Situation
• Curbside Pickup: Spotsylvania Restaurants Adapting To Coronavirus
• Manassas Takes Measures to Help Downtown Merchants Survive Crisis
• Seafood Restaurant Starts Curbside Service In Time Of Coronavirus
• How To Support Vienna Businesses During Coronavirus Situation

Coronavirus Closes Virginia DMV Centers, Extensions Offered

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is closing all 75 customer service locations as well as mobile services from March 18 until April 2 as a result of the growing outbreak of new coronavirus, or COVID-19. In addition, the DMV is extending the expiration date for credentials set to expire up to May 15. Online and mail services and DMV Direct call centers continue to run.

More Coverage

• First Coronavirus 'Community Spread' Case Reported In Virginia
• Most DC Cherry Blossom Events Canceled Because Of Coronavirus
• VA Republicans Postpone Richmond Convention Due To Coronavirus
• Virginia Coronavirus: Simon Malls Close, Others Adjust Hours
• White House Easter Egg Roll Canceled Due To Coronavirus
• DC Ends Seating At Restaurants, Bars Under Coronavirus Response
• Metro Cuts Service, Urges Only Essential Trips Amid Coronavirus
• Coronavirus Projected To Overwhelm DC Hospitals: ProPublica Study
• Are NoVa Hospitals Prepared For Coronavirus Surge?
• Alexandria Mayor Calls For Leniency On Residential Rent Payments
• McLean Project Helps At-Risk People During Coronavirus Outbreak
• Mary Washington Healthcare To Implement No Visitor Policy
• Fredericksburg Declares State Of Emergency To Handle Coronavirus
• Loudoun Declares Local Emergency In Response To Coronavirus
• What's Open, Closed In Fairfax County Amid Coronavirus Concerns
• Falls Church Declares Local Emergency In Response To Coronavirus
• Fairfax County Declares State Of Local Emergency Over Coronavirus
• How Fairfax County Schools Are Tackling Learning During Closure
• DC Council Approves Emergency Coronavirus Legislation
• Manassas Declares State Of Emergency To Deal With Coronavirus
• Novant Suspends Some Procedures To 'Conserve Critical Resources'
• Novant Health Toughens Visitor Policy In Response To Coronavirus
• Social Distancing Urged By Alexandria Health Department
• Fredericksburg Issues Coronavirus Rules For Restaurants, Centers
• Fairfax Adds More Grab And Go Meal Sites Due To Coronavirus
• Multi-Day Meals To Be Distributed By Alexandria School District
• Loudoun Schools Consolidate Meal Sites During Coronavirus Closure
• Leesburg Approves Coronavirus State Of Emergency Through May 2
• New Coronavirus Spurs Changes To Vienna Police Operations
• New Coronavirus Rule Alters How DC Diners Are Served Alcohol
• Coronavirus: Alexandria Restaurant Partners Closes Most Eateries
• Manassas Closes All City Buildings To Public Due To Coronavirus
• NoVA Community Transmission Prompts Guidance In Fairfax County
• Falls Church Farmers Market Suspended This Saturday
• NoVa Housing Expo For Hard-Up Residents Postponed Until Autumn
• Loudoun Animal Shelter Creates Wish List During Coronavirus
• New VA Coronavirus Task Force To Investigate Fraud Claims
• Top Prosecutor Seeks Alternatives To Jail During Coronavirus
• Fairfax County Police Modify Services Due To Coronavirus
• BJ's Opening Early For Shoppers 60 And Older During Coronavirus