Local Heroes, Train Passenger Face Mask Requirement: Patch PM

Here are the share-worthy stories from Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia Patches to talk about tonight:

Manassas Fire & Rescue Leads Effort To Honor Nurses At Hospital

Members of the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department joined employees from other public safety agencies in the region Thursday afternoon to thank the staff of Novant UVA Prince William Medical Center during National Nurses Week.

Virginia Reopening On Track, Delay Likely For Northern Region

A confirmed reopening announcement for Virginia is expected Wednesday, but it likely won't include the densely populated northern region. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says unless trends in the coronavirus-related data change, the first reopening phase will start Friday, May 15.

• VA Coronavirus Cases Exceed 25,000; Hospitalizations Decline
• Uncertainty Over Whether NoVA Ready To Reopen With Rest Of State

DC Opens Coronavirus Surge Facility At Convention Center

The D.C. government opened an Alternative Care Site at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in preparation for an expected surge in patients with COVID-19, the illness associated with the new coronavirus in the coming weeks. This adds 437 new beds to the District's COVID-19 treatment capacity.

• DC Positive Coronavirus Cases Nears 6,400; Total Deaths 328

Fairfax Fire Recruits Graduate Early To Deal With Coronavirus

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department accelerated the graduation timeline of its current class of more than 50 recruits as a way to provide reinforcements as quickly as possible for the department as it deals with the coronavirus crisis. The new recruits, who were sworn in Friday, began working Saturday at their first fire stations.

Amtrak Adds Face Masks Requirement, Including In Virginia And DC

Beginning on Monday, Amtrak is requiring passengers to wear face masks while traveling to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, including at DC's Union Station and Virginia stations.

Local Hero Delivers Health Care With A Smile

One person who has not forgotten the dedication of home health-care workers is Ruth Epprexht of Herndon. She's nominated Nancy Mount, the nurse who helped her when she was recovering from bypass surgery, to be a Patch Local Hero.

Health Specialist, Child Advocate Shines In Uneasy Times: VA Hero

This submission comes from Bridgett Alexander Brown of Fredericksburg who nominated her daughter Debora Brown, a resident of King George County who works on a COVID-19 Incident Management Team with the Fairfax County Health Department.

Also Worth a Look Today

• Arlington Opens Walk-Up Coronavirus Testing Facility
• Arlington SWAT Team Employed In Investigation Of Suspicious Death
• Foxes Take Fairfax Residents' Unguarded Shoes For Use As Toys
• Taste Of Del Ray, Other Events Canceled Due To Coronavirus
• Stuff The Bus Food Drives To Help With Demand In Fairfax County
• What To Expect For In-Person Voting In Vienna Town Election
• 18-Year-Old Arrested In Ashburn Stabbing Incident: Police
• 2 Fatal Shootings Investigated By DC Police
• Suspect Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Northwest Woman: DC Police
• Update: Helicopter, Search & Rescue Team Hunt For Missing Man
• Man Accused Of Chasing Woman On W&OD Trail In Falls Church

Across America

• U.S. Coronavirus Blog: Deaths Hit 80K; MLB Owners Seek July Start
• Coronavirus: Texas Attorney General Seeks To Block Mail-In Voting
• Gov. Wolf, Counties Spar Over Coronavirus Mitigation Measures
• LA County Beaches Will Reopen With Restrictions
• Florida Aquarium Makes Historic Discovery To Save Coral Reefs