Fairfax Connector shared the steps being taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as more cases are reported in the D.C. area.

Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation announced on Friday (March 6) that contractors are following these steps:

• reviewed and updated cleaning protocols based on guidance from public health officials
• increased vehicle cleaning cycles with a special focus on bus interiors and critical touchpoints such as door handles, handrails and other surfaces.
• initiated regular communication with Fairfax Connector workforce

The county’s Board of Supervisors is expected to receive an update about the county’s preparations against the virus tomorrow (Tuesday).

Fairfax County also has suggestions for passengers to curtail the rapidly-spreading illness:

• wash hands often with soap and water and use hand sanitizer
• avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
• avoid contact with people who are sick
• stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others

“FCDOT highly values the health and safety of Fairfax Connector customers and personnel,” the county said.

Virginia has three “presumptive” cases of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Cases involving a Marine Base Corps Quantico resident at Fort Belvoir and a City of Fairfax resident — were announced yesterday (Sunday). Today (Monday) a presumptive case of coronavirus was announced in Arlington.

As local schools in the D.C. area prepare for possible closures due to local coronavirus cases, Fairfax County Public Schools are currently open today.

In a letter to families on Saturday (March 7), Superintendent Scott Brabrand said that FCPS is working with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to monitor the disease.

FCPS-sponsored international field trips and short-term international visitations have been suspended through June 30, the letter notes.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, risk to the U.S. public is considered low at this time,” according to FCPS. “The FCHD has provided an updated handout about COVID-19 for the community.”

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Fatimah Waseem contributed reporting.

Two animals located less than a mile apart have tested positive for rabies, according to the Fairfax County Health Department.

Health officials are urging residents to stay away from wild animals and report animal attacks to the count immediately after a dog and raccoon and a groundhog tested positive for rabies within the last month.

On August 16, the groundhog was killed by a dog on the 2500 block of Brofferton Court. The raccoon was killed by a dog in a yard on the 12800. Block of Pinecrest Road on September 13.

Health officials believe the animals may have had contact with other people or pets.

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. The virus attacks the central nervous system and causes death if medical treatment is not sought immediately.

Residents who suspect an animal has rabies should call the Fairfax County Animal Protection Police at 703-691-2131.

Map via Google Maps

Updated on Tuesday, July 16 — This event was cancelled due to staffing issues.

If you spend most of your day sitting, there are still ways to stay somewhat active.

The county’s Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is organizing a free, four-part workshop on chair yoga. The second workshop is on Wednesday, July 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Northwest Center (1850 Cameron Glen Drive).

The workshop is facilitated by the CSB’s health care integration Manager Shana Grady. She is also one a health coath at BeWell, a coaching program that offers wellness services and health coaching.

Participants will focus on the “impact that nutrition, sleep and activity level have on behavior in a friendly, educational, hands-on setting,” according to the event’s website.

The CSB provides services for people of all ages with mental illness, substance abuse disorders or developmental disabilities.

Registration is open online.

Photo via Brooke Cagle/Unsplash

Health officials are warning people in Northern Virginia that they may have been exposed to an individual with measles.

The individual visited several locations in the area, according to the the Virginia Department of Health.

In a release, the department detailed possible exposure locations and times:

• Dulles International Airport in Terminal A and Baggage Claim level on Sunday, June 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center, 15225 Heathcote Boulevard, Haymarket, VA in the emergency department on Sunday, June 2 at 11 p.m. through early Monday, June 3 at 4:30 a.m.
• Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, 3600 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax, VA in the emergency department, including the waiting area, on Tuesday, June 4 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

State officials offered the following advice if individuals believe they were at the above locations during the specified times:

If you have received two doses of a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles only vaccine which is available in other countries) you are protected and do not need to take any action.

If you have received only one dose of a measles containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low.  However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your health care provider about getting a second vaccine dose.

If you have never received a measles containing vaccine nor had a documented case of measles, you may be at risk of getting measles from this exposure.  Contact your local health department or health care provider for advice on possible intervention to decrease your risk of becoming infected or other precautions you need to take.  If you notice the symptoms of measles, stay home and away from others and immediately call your primary health care provider or health department to discuss further care. Call ahead before going to the office or the emergency room and tell them that you were exposed to measles.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through coughing in sneezing. Its bacteria thrive in the air for two hours.

Over the last decade, the incidence of measles has spiked. In the first five months of this year alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited 971 cases — the largest number of cases in the United States since 1994.

Photo via Michael Schiffer/Unsplash

Optimal Motion Physical Therapy, a new physical therapy clinic, is now open at 950 Herndon Parkway.

The clinic offers “specialized treatment in various areas, including sports injuries, chronic pain, and other orthopedic issues,” according to its website.

The business was founded by Secilli DeStefano and Matt Barnes. Although the clinic is now open, a grand opening event is set for Friday, June 7 from 5-8 p.m.

More information about the practice is available online.

Photos via Jackie Yencha

DC Row is getting work done on its future Reston Town Center location ahead of an expected summer opening.

A building permit indicates that the rowing-focused fitness studio recently started interior alterations at 11877 Market Street. A spokeswoman for Boston Properties confirmed that DC Row will occupy the former spot of Appalachian Spring, which closed last January.

DC Row’s General Manager Brittany Brunch previously told Reston Now that the Reston spot will offer similar classes to the ones currently at the D.C. location (790 Maine Avenue SW), along with happy hour events for corporations and more time slots during the day for moms.

Locals can expect a pop-up before the grand opening, which has not been announced yet.

RTC West welcomed the D.C.-based fitness chain Solidcore back in early March as part of a larger expansion in the D.C. area.

After one month in business at its new spot at 12100 Sunset Hills Blvd, Krystal Capasso, the studio manager for the Reston location, shared some details with Reston Now on how the pilates-focused fitness chain is faring in Reston.

Before coming to Solidcore, Capasso worked at pilates and barre studios in Arlington and Ashburn. She also served in the Marines for several years.

Reston Now: How has it been going since opening?

Krystal Capasso: We’ve had a lot of people come in. It’s a cool mix of people.

RN: Do you know why the Reston location was chosen?

KC: Not really, but I can tell you we are right next to Reston Town Center and then there are also some businesses right nearby.

RN: What is your customer base like at Reston?

KC: We’ve had a lot of people coming during lunch or right before or after work and also people who live nearby — Reston, Herndon and Fairfax. It’s more of a mix of people who are coming from work or who live in the area. I think we have a fair amount of men and women coming into the studio.

RN: What do you think is the appeal of the Reston location?

KC: The [D.C.-area] people are already familiar with Solidcore. This location may be more convenient for them than other studios in Northern Virginia — filing gaps between studios. I think also generally as a workout, the cool thing about Solidcore — it’s a workout that they can use as their primary workout, but it’s also a really good complimentary workout to something else that people are doing. It’s a good way to reach other people, people who are already fit and have a routine in place but want some diversity and change.

RN: Generally, do people who go to studios to work out stick to the same spot or do they frequent multiple ones?

KC: Usually, people come to a studio and stay there and only go to those studios. I think a unique thing about Solidcore is we do have people who do that exclusively, but then people who will use Solidcore as another thing to do to supplement their workouts.

RN: What do you enjoy the most about Solidcore?

KC: When I come into this studio and take a Solidcore class, I am always challenged. It doesn’t get easier. You are always going to get stronger.

RN: What do you think makes people return for more classes?

KC: The community keeps people coming back. We try to get people excited about working out together. It’s a really team-oriented environment.

For people who might be hesitant about trying out Solidcore, Capasso said at the end of the interview that there is a beginner’s class that moves at a slower pace to allow coaches to give more instructions and to demo moves before class starts so that people can feel more comfortable.

Herndon student makes honors choir — A student from Herndon Middle School, along with 79 other students from Fairfax County public schools, has been selected by the Virginia Choral Directors Association to perform at the All-Virginia Middle School Honors Choir event scheduled for April 4-6. [FCPS]

Millennials book club — Today, adults in their early 20s and 30s can discuss “Carry On, Jeeves” by PG Wodehouse at the Reston Regional Library from 7-8:30 p.m. [Fairfax County]

What’s up with the Silver Line? — A series of stories by Bisnow is looking at how little of the Silver Line expansion is built as it nears its debut and the developments slated to pop up around the Metro area. [Bisnow]

Restonian bringing laughs to Herndon — Dark Horse Theatre Company will present the regional premiere of the dark comedy, “The Value of Moscow,” by  Amy Dellagiarino, who grew up in Reston and is a South Lakes High School alumna, on April 12-27 at ArtSpace Herndon. [Connection Newspapers]

Photo courtesy Layna Cook

Ballet instruction will soon arrive near Plaza America.

Building permits indicate that a new tenant layout for Principal Ballet is coming to 11495 Sunset Hills Road.

The ballet school has signed a lease for a 3,630-square-foot space on the first floor, according to Renaud Consulting, a commercial real estate company.

Currently located in the Hunters Woods Village Center, Principal Ballet provides year-long classes with offerings for preschool, elementary and middle school students; teens; and adults.

Image via Google Maps

Locals getting or staying in shape can expect new work out options like jiu-jitsu and boxing at Plaza America.

UFC Gym recently signed a lease for a 4,834 square-foot space at 11710 Plaza America Drive, Suite 40.

The fitness franchise has more than 70 locations spanning the country, along with a handful in Canada. The gyms offer a range of mixed martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing classes for individuals and groups, along with standard gym equipment like ellipticals, bikes and treadmills.

Currently, there is a UFC Gym in Woodland Park Crossing at 12973 Highland Crossing Drive, Suite C.

Photos via UFC Gym Reston Herndon/Facebook

Updated at 1:45 p.m. — Includes new information about Bombay Velvet’s opening. 

Spring is less than two weeks away, and the change in seasons will also coincides with some new nail salons, fitness studios and restaurants at Reston Town Center and RTC West.

A fine-dining Indian restaurant, a brunch place and a nail salon are expected to arrive soon at RTC West.

Bombay Velvet is expected to open in late-March. An employee at Famous Toastery told Reston Now that it is aiming for an opening this month.

Signs say that Infinity Spa and Nails is “coming soon” to 12120 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 105. 

Over at Reston Town Center, several of the announced newcomers have told Reston Now when they plan to open their doors.

Peet’s Coffee will hold a pre-opening party on Saturday (March 9) ahead of its official debut next week at 11830 Freedom Drive. While Peet’s throws its party, fitness studio Solidcore is slated to open its doors for the first time.

Reston Town Center is also expected to welcome The Glossary Nail Spa and Fox Restuarant Concepts’ North Italia soon. Later this summer, Restonians can expect DC Row this summer.

Pick your favorite below and tell us in the comments which other ones you are ready for.

Second and fifth images via Solidcore and North Italia websites

PM Pediatrics held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last night (Feb. 26) to celebrate its new Herndon spot.

The ceremony came about two weeks after PM Pediatrics opened at 905 Herndon Parkway on Saturday, Feb. 16, according to a Facebook post.

The after-hours urgent care center advertises itself as an alternative to the emergency room for children and young adults. The staff of pediatric emergency specialists can treat kids in urgent situations, including earaches, fevers, infections, asthma, wounds and more.

PM Pediatrics has 39 locations spanning Alaska to New York and 10 more “coming soon,” according to the website. The Herndon location is open every day until midnight.

Image via Google Maps

DC Row revealed on Friday (Feb. 22) that it plans to open in Reston this summer.

News of the Reston location first appeared in late January when it was named as one of the six anticipated newcomers for Reston Town Center. The address has not been announced yet.

DC Row’s General Manager Brittany Brunch told Reston Now earlier this month that the Reston location will offer similar classes to the ones currently at the D.C. location (790 Maine Avenue SW). Reston’s DC Row will cater to specialized groups, including happy hour events for corporations and more time slots during the day for moms.

Locals can expect a pop-up near Reston Town Center before the grand opening, which has not been announced.

DC Row won’t be the only new fitness studio in the area. Solidcore plans to open its doors in RTC West on March 9.

FCPS delays opening — The county’s public schools will open two hours late today after being closed yesterday as a snowstorm hit. [FCPS]

Dogs in the snow — ICYMI: “Locals put their photography skills to use for the snow-covered landscape, with some catching pets and cross-country skiing on camera.” [Reston Now, Reston Now Instagram]

Spruced up Safeway — “The Great Falls Safeway at 9881 Georgetown Pike reopened after renovations with a ribbon cutting on Saturday, Feb. 16.” [McLean Patch]

Blood pressure PSA — Did you know kids can have high blood pressure? The American Heart Association has a short video about health screenings to protect kids. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

Photo via @greatfallsva/Instagram