Fairfax County Identifies Two Presumptive Coronavirus Cases

The Fairfax County Health Department has identified two additional cases of coronavirus, according to a release.

Both cases are linked to individuals who had contact with someone who contracted the respiratory disease in North Carolina. The health department cautions that both cases are “considered presumptive, pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

The Fairfax County residents are in isolation at their homes. Here’s more from the county on the two cases:

The first case is the spouse of a presumptive positive case from North Carolina. The individual, a resident of Fairfax County in his 60s, became ill with respiratory symptoms on March 2, prior to the spouse being identified as a case on March 9. Specimens were collected and sent to the Virginia state laboratory for testing on March 10. The individual is isolated at home.

The second case is a close contact of the presumptive positive case from North Carolina. The individual, a resident of Fairfax County in his 20s, became ill with symptoms on March 6. Following identification of the North Carolina case, specimens were collected and tested by Virginia state laboratory on March 10. The individual is isolated at home.

Today’s diagnoses bring the total number of cases in the Fairfax Health District to four individuals. The other two cases were linked to Fairfax City residents who recently traveled internationally.

“We strongly recommend that all residents, workers, students, and visitors take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against novel coronavirus,” said Fairfax Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu. “Public health will continue working with local, state, federal, and community partners to reduce the risk of community spread.”

State Gov. Ralph Northam also declared a state of emergency beginning today (Thursday).

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