Health & Fitness
VA, DC Coronavirus: Schools Close, New Cases, Concerts Canceled
Here are the latest developments on the impact of the new coronavirus in Virginia, including the number of cases and school closings.
The new coronavirus situation in Virginia and the U.S. continues to rapidly change. The Virginia Department of Health confirmed 30 presumptive positive and confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of mid-day Friday. Patch will be running regular updates as more information is released.
The 30 cases include seven in James City County, six in Fairfax County and City, five in Arlington County, three in Loudoun County, two in Virginia Beach, two in Prince William County, one in Fredericksburg, one in Prince Edward County, one in Hanover County, one in Harrisonburg, and one in Alexandria. A presumptive positive result means a patient has been tested positive for COVID-19, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must confirm the result.
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Here are the latest developments regarding the new coronavirus in Virginia and DC:
Loudoun Officials Investigating Third Positive Coronavirus Case
Find out what's happening in McLeanfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Loudoun County Health Department reported Friday afternoon that a third county resident has tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus, or COVID-19. This individual is a man in his 30s who lives in Loudoun County.
Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia's largest school district, decided to close schools through April 10 after concerns about the new coronavirus, also known as the COVID-19 virus. The announcement came after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam directed K-12 schools to close for at least two weeks starting March 16.
On Friday, the Fairfax County Health Department confirmed two additional presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. That brings the total to six presumptive cases in the Fairfax Health District, which covers Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church City.
VA Coronavirus: Public Schools To Close Under Northam's Order
To help prevent the spread of the respiratory disease, Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday afternoon ordered all kindergarten through 12th-grade schools to close for at least two weeks starting March 16.
How Manassas Residents Are Dealing With The Coronavirus
We asked Manassas residents on Facebook to tell us what they're seeing out there in the retail spaces. Are there long lines? Was there enough toilet paper, milk and cleaning products available?
New Coronavirus Prompts Wolf Trap Event Postponements
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts is postponing performances, classes and other events between Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 31.
Metro Reducing Service To Slow Spread Of Coronavirus
The Washington Metro system will be reducing rail service starting Monday to trains operating every 12 minutes on each line instead of the normal eight-minute interval between trains in response to the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the transit system said Friday afternoon.
The Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation is canceling a number of upcoming activities and programs due to concerns over the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
New Coronavirus Impact To Close George Washington's Mount Vernon
George Washington's Mount Vernon will close to visitors beginning Saturday, March 14 in light of the new coronavirus outbreak. The closure will be in effect through the end of the month (Tuesday, March 31).
Vienna Cancels Special Events Due To New Coronavirus Outbreak
The Town of Vienna announced some cancellations from Monday, March 16 through April 12 due to the new coronavirus situation, also known as COVID-19. The cancellations apply to special events, programming, rentals, open gym and drop-in activities, spring break camps, and teen center activities at the Vienna Community Center.
How Reston Residents Are Dealing With The Coronavirus
We asked Restonians on Facebook and in our Neighbor posts to tell us what they're seeing out there in the retail spaces. Are there long lines? Was there enough toilet paper, milk, and cleaning products available?
Coronavirus Threat Leads Fredericksburg Area Museum To Close
The Fredericksburg Area Museum closed its doors to visitors Friday due to the coronavirus outbreak and will remain closed until the museum's board of directors determine it's safe to reopen, the museum said Friday.
Amid growing coronavirus concerns, D.C. officials have revoked all pub crawl permits for events scheduled to take place through March 31.
Northern Virginia School Closings Related To New Coronavirus
A number of Northern Virginia school districts and college and universities are announcing closures amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
Manassas Cancels St. Patrick's Day Parade Due To Coronavirus
The 2020 Greater Manassas St. Patrick's Day Parade, scheduled for Saturday, has been canceled due to public health concerns about the coronavirus, or COVID-19, parade organizers said Friday. Parade organizers made the decision in coordination with Manassas City and Prince William County officials.
NoVa Police Aim To Protect Officers, Public From Coronavirus
Law enforcement agencies in Northern Virginia are telling the public to expect reduced levels of service as they take measures to protect officers and the public from exposure to the new coronavirus, or COVID-19. Police departments, for example, are temporarily suspending fingerprinting services and community outreach acitivities in certain jurisdictions.
Anti-Price Gouging Act In Effect During VA State Of Emergency
As Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Thursday amid the new coronavirus outbreak, anti-price gouging statutes take effect. The Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act is aimed at protect consumers from paying unreasonably high prices for necessities during an emergency.
Coronavirus Response: DC Government Adjusts Operating Status
Mayor Muriel Bowser is adjusting the D.C. government's operating status as part of the District's response to the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, according to a release.
Episcopal Diocese Cancels Services Due To Coronavirus Concerns
Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has canceled services for two weeks in response to concerns over the new coronavirus, which is also known as COVID-19.
DC Schools Changes Schedule In Response To Coronavirus
All D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) will be closed for students from March 16-31, according to a DCPS release. These closures are being made as part of the District's response to the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
Virginia State Of Emergency Declared: What Does That Mean?
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Thursday with 17 presumptive cases of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19 statewide.
2nd Confirmed Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Case In Arlington
A second presumptive positive case of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has been confirmed in Arlington County, according to a county release.
A second Loudoun County resident, a man in his 40s, has tested presumptive positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, the Loudoun County Health Department said Thursday.
Fredericksburg Cites Coronavirus For Spring Break School Closings
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will be closed from Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 22 due to the "rapidly evolving situation with the COVID-19 virus," the school system said Thursday.
American University Expands Coronavirus Response At DC Campus
American University students will be taking online classes for the rest of the spring semester to avoid the risk of spreading the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, according to new instructions from AU President Sylvia M. Burwell.
Wizards Self-Quarantine After Jazz Test Positive For Coronavirus
Washington Wizards players, coaches and staff have been directed to self-quarantine after two Utah Jazz players were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the team announced Thursday.
Alexandria's First Presumptive New Coronavirus Case Confirmed
Alexandria has its first presumptive case of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, the Alexandria Health Department announced late Wednesday. The Alexandria resident is isolated at home and "doing well," the health department says.
DC State Of Emergency Declared After 10 Coronavirus Cases: Mayor
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency on Wednesday in response to the growing number of coronavirus cases in the District.
New Coronavirus Prompts Visitor Restrictions At Inova Hospitals
Inova Health System announced changes to the hospital visitor policy related to the new coronavirus outbreak, effective at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 12.
National Cherry Blossom Festival To Postpone, Cancel Some Events
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC announced Wednesday that some events will be canceled or postponed due to new coronavirus concerns. The changes apply to events through March 31, and organizers are considering what changes to make for April events.
Coronavirus-Related Restrictions Placed On Novant Health Visitors
The Novant Health UVA Health System is asking people who are not immediate family members to avoid visiting patients in their medical facilities as a way to help control the spread of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The health care system is placing restrictions even on visitors who are healthy.
DC Sports Teams To Allow Spectators Despite Coronavirus Outbreak
Washington Capitals and Wizards games will go on as planned at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., with spectators allowed to attend the games, even though the D.C. Department of Health is recommending that all events and gatherings of people over 1,000 in size be postponed or cancelled due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the teams said Wednesday.
Amid growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the D.C. Department of Health is recommending that all events and gatherings of people over 1,000 in size to be postponed or cancelled, according to DOH release. This includes conferences and conventions.
Coronavirus Concerns Lead UVA To Move All Classes Online
The University of Virginia is moving classes online and will not be holding classes on campus for the foreseeable future and "quite possibly through the end of the semester" due to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, across Virginia and globally, university President Jim Ryan announced Wednesday.
Nova Community College Turns To Virtual Classes Amid Coronavirus
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is preparing a transition to online classes for at least several weeks in light of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Coronavirus Concerns Cause Grocery Shortages In Prince William
Amid cases of new coronavirus confirmed in Virginia, Prince William County residents are seeing empty shelves at grocery and drug stores, while county health and emergency experts are assuring government officials that the county has enough supplies of products to disinfect government offices and protect first responders.
New Coronavirus Patient Visited Virginia Theological Seminary
The Alexandria Health Department is urging self-monitoring after a DC resident confirmed to have the new coronavirus visited the Immanuel Chapel of the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria.
Beyer Self-Quarantines After Contact With Coronavirus Patient
Rep. Don Beyer announced a self-quarantine after contact with a friend in DC who tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Virginia's 6th Coronavirus Case Had Contact At Georgetown Church
The Loudoun County Health Department announced Tuesday that a resident in their 40s tested presumptive positive for the novel coronavirus.
VA Coronavirus Cases Reported In Fairfax, Spotsylvania
Two new cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, have been reported in Virginia — one in Fairfax City and the other in Spotsylvania County.
DC Coronavirus: Bowser Confirms 3 New Presumptive Positive Cases
Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that there were three new presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus in Washington, D.C., according to her official Twitter account. This bring's D.C's total presumptive positive cases to five.
Coronavirus: DC Health Recommends Churchgoers Self-Quarantine
In response to two confirmed positive cases of the new coronavirus in Washington, D.C., health officials recommend that anyone who recently attended services at Christ Church Georgetown begin self-quarantining themselves, Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a Monday morning news conference.
Quantico Base Schools To Close For Coronavirus Cleaning: Report
Marine Corps Base Quantico has closed its schools in order to clean them after a Marine living on the base tested positive for the new coronavirus on Saturday, Stars and Stripes reported Monday. Crossroads Elementary School and Quantico Middle High School will be closed all day Tuesday for cleaning, according to the report.
Coronavirus Prompts Grocery Shortages, Planning In Fairfax County
Amid cases of new coronavirus confirmed in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County is seeing impacts, from schools preparing for potential closures to empty grocery store shelves.
3rd VA Presumed Positive Coronavirus Case Is Arlington Resident
An Arlington County resident is the third presumed positive case of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Coronavirus: VA Officials Work To Limit Spread From First Cases
State and local health officials confirmed Sunday that two people in Virginia have tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Manassas Team Alerted To Player's Parent With Coronavirus: Report
A member of the Manassas Volleyball Club is the daughter of a Marine hospitalized for the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, InsideNoVA reported Monday.
Virginia's Attorney General Mark Herring is urging residents to watch out for potential coronavirus-related scams.
Fire And Rescue Worker Self-Quarantines After Coronavirus Contact
A member of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System came into contact with a person outside of Loudoun County who has since tested positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, the county said Sunday.
Loudoun Schools Suspend Overseas Travel Over Coronavirus Concerns
Loudoun County Public Schools are suspending all school-sponsored international travel through through June 30 and canceling the upcoming Loudoun International Youth Leadership Summit, which was scheduled to begin on March 20.
Coronavirus Guidance Offered In Arlington Schools Release
Amid concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the possible need to close Arlington Public Schools (APS) in the future, interim Superintendent Cintia Z. Johnson sent out a letter Friday, March 6, on how staff, students and their families can best prepare and protect themselves.
Fairfax Schools Remain Open After New Coronavirus Case Confirmed
Fairfax County Public Schools will be open as scheduled Monday, March 9 after a U.S Marine at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital tested positive for the new coronavirus, COVID-19. Superintendent Scott Brabrand told families in an update "the Marine has no connection to FCPS."
Falls Church Schools Prepare For Potential Coronavirus Response
Falls Church City Public Schools is preparing a potential response should it be impacted by the new coronavirus, COVID-19. The school district continues to operate normally.
How Transit Agencies Are Responding To New Coronavirus In DC, VA
Amid presumptive cases of the new coronavirus in DC and Northern Virginia, public transit agencies are responding with preventative steps.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. First found in Wuhan, China during December 2019, it can range from mild to more severe illness, including some cases resulting in death. People who are older or have chronic medical conditions have a higher risk or developing a more serious illness.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing and can appear two to 14 days after exposure. According to the CDC, COVID-19 is thought to spread between people within six feet of each other through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
CDC's tips to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
- If you are sick, wear a facemask when around other people and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
- It is not recommended for healthy people to wear facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers and health workers.
Follow your local health department, the Virginia Department of Health and CDC for official updates and information on COVID-19.
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