NoVA Community Transmission Prompts Guidance In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX, VA — The Fairfax County Health Department called for extra "vigilant social distancing" Thursday in response to indications of community transmission of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Northern Virginia. Community transmission, also known as community spread, is the spread of an illness with an unknown source of exposure.

The latest total number of presumptive positive cases for the Fairfax Health District is 16. The health district covers Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church City. The first case in Falls Church involves a resident at The Kensington assisted living facility.

The health department does not conduct testing, but it provided guidance on how to get tested. Anyone experiencing symptoms (fever, cough and difficulty breathing) should contact a doctor to determine the need for testing. It is important to call the doctor before a visit so infection control precautions can be put in place.

If the doctor opts to test a person, specimens are collected and sent to a laboratory for testing. A person should self-isolate at home if he or she is ill with symptoms, has a positive COVID-19 test result or has been directed by a doctor to isolate. More guidance on testing is available from a new information page from the Fairfax County Health Department.

All individuals, even those who are not ill, are urged to follow social distancing measures to prevent the spread of respiratory illness. Here is guidance from the health department:

• Do not hug, shake hands, or high five. These actions can transmit a virus from person-to-person.
• Maintain a distance of approximately six feet from others when possible.
• Avoid mass gatherings and congregate settings. The CDC defines congregate settings as crowded public places where close contact with others may occur, such as shopping centers, movie theaters and stadiums.
• Those who are at risk for more severe COVID-19 illness, such as older adults and persons with compromised immunity, should limit contact with others and be rigorous about social distancing and other protective measures
• Use good protective behaviors: wash your hands frequently using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds; cover coughs and sneezes; stay away from others if you're ill, and disinfect high-touch surfaces at home and work.

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Residents can find more public health information on COVID-19 from the Fairfax County Health Department, Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.