Fairfax County Continues To Seek Protective Gear Donations

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County continues to seek donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) for its staff during the new coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement released Wednesday. Items needed include N95 masks, medical gowns, gloves and cleaning supplies. PPE items must be new and unopened.

Fairfax County Health Department staff use protective gear for contact investigations, including in long-term care facilities. Donations also support providers of essential health care services to uninsured and underinsured residents. As of Wednesday, the county has received 6,920 pairs of gloves, 3,254 N95 respirator masks, 1,900 procedural caps, 805 show coverings, 695 surgical masks, 300 lab coats, 97 coveralls and more donations.

Management of donations is done in coordination with Volunteer Fairfax. The volunteer group manages a donation collection warehouse mainly staffed by Fairfax County Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. Volunteer Fairfax has also assisted with a 22,000-pound donation of vegetables to Food for Others, which provides emergency food assistance to over 2,000 families each week.

Anyone interested in donating items can fill out a form online. Volunteer Fairfax is also accepting drop offs at the American Legion, 3939 Oak Street, Fairfax from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Large donations should be coordinated by emailing covid19@volunteerfairfax.org.

As of Thursday, Fairfax County reported 3,611 cases of the new coronavirus, representing a rate of 313.8 cases per 100,000 people. There have been 134 reported deaths. More case data and public health information is provided on the Fairfax County Health Department website.