Coronavirus: Loudoun Officials Cite Billing Issues, Stockpiling

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The Loudoun County Health Department announced Tuesday that a resident in their 40s tested presumptive positive for the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, increasing the number of coronavirus cases in Virginia to six. The person is believed to have come in contact with a person with the coronavirus while attending Christ Church Georgetown, which has reported a case.

The Loudoun County Health Department learned of the person Tuesday morning following testing for the coronavirus by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in Richmond. The positive test result is considered a presumptive positive, pending confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The patient is currently doing well and is isolated at home, the Loudoun County Health Department said.

D.C. health officials began an investigation of a man in his 50s whom they referred to as "Patient One." That person identified himself to D.C. Health officials as the rector of Christ Church Georgetown where the Loudoun County resident who tested positive attended. As of Monday morning, the church rector remained hospitalized.

"We know the risk of coronavirus disease — or COVID-19 — increases among close contacts of infected persons,” Loudoun County Health Department Director David Goodfriend MD said Tuesday in a statement. “In this case, based on the results of our contact investigation to date, the risk to the general Loudoun community remains low.”

Goodfriend said Tuesday at a press conference in Leesburg Goodfriend that his office is unaware of anyone else from Loudoun County who had close contact with the rector at Christ Church Georgetown.

When asked about the number of test kits for the coronavirus, Goodfriend said the availability of kits is not limiting who gets tested. Laboratory Corporation of America and Quest Diagnostics in the last week launched testing services for COVID-19, he noted. But getting billing mechanisms into place to pay for these testing services could delay the ability of people to get tested, Goodfriend said.

"Our hope is that our private doctors will take advantage of [private testing labs] for people who merit testing," Goodfriend said. "This only started last week, so it’s probably going to take a little bit of time for billing offices, ordering offices to figure out how to do it most efficiently."

During the press conference, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall urged residents not to hoard supplies. "Looking out for your neighbors includes refraining form stockpiling suppies in excess. Those supplies may be needed by others," Randall said. "Things such as face masks, toilet paper, hand sanitizers. There are people that might actually need those things."

Three new cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Virginia on Tuesday. The other new cases were reported in Fairfax City and Spotsylvania County. Among the six presumed positive coronavirus cases in Virginia, two have been reported in Fairfax City, one in Prince William County, one in Arlington County, one in Spotsylvania County and one in Loudoun County.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can cause mild to more severe respiratory illness. In a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can cause death, particularly among those who are older or who have chronic medical conditions.

“We anticipated that a case of COVID-19 would be diagnosed in our community at some point,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall. “It is important that we all follow the prevention guidance issued by the CDC to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.”

Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person. COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

To lower the risk of respiratory germ spread, including COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following effective behaviors:

• 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.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid non-essential travel.

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