As hospitals around the region attempt to manage the number of beds and available equipment to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Reston Hospital Center says emergency planning began weeks ago.

Currently, RHC, which is part of the HCA Virginia Health System, has sufficient bed capacity, staff, and supplies. As the situation evolved, the hospital center has also developed a staff contingency plan, including the use of HCA Healthcare’s in-house staffing agency, said Todd McGovern, the hospital’s director of marketing and communications.

Virginia has roughly 17,469 beds, 69 percent of which are occupied, according to data from the Harvard Global Health Institute. Over the next six months, the institute estimates hospitals in the state will need more than triple the number of beds that are currently available.

Reston Hospital Center has 231 beds. Because occupancy varies daily, the hospital did not provide current capacity when asked by Reston Now.

McGovern also noted the hospital has the ability to add additional bed capacity in the hospital, if needed.

“Reston Hospital Center has well-established protocols in place to care for patients with infectious diseases, and our emergency planning efforts related to COVID-19 started weeks ago. We are working in partnership with local and state health departments and the CDC, and continue to monitor the situation closely,” he wrote in a statement.

Earlier this month, hospital staff began screening visitors and patients to protect the hospital and community.

“We also continue to work closely with state and local health departments and the CDC.”

Photo via Reston Hospital Center

The number of known coronavirus cases in Fairfax County has jumped from 16 on Thursday to 31 on Sunday.

Fairfax County has the second-highest number of cases after James City, which has 32 cases, according to the Virginia Dept. of Health.

So far, state officials have identified 219 cases in the state of 3,337 people who have been tested. Three people have died as a result of the illness, including a Fairfax County resident. The man was in his 60s and acquired COVID-19 through contact with a previously reported case.

“We are saddened by the first confirmed death of a Fairfax County resident due to COVID-19. Our hearts go out to his loved ones,” Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Director of Health at Fairfax County Health Department said in a statement. “The health of our residents is our top priority and we ask that everyone do their part to slow the spread of the virus in our community: practice social distancing, wash your hands, and cover coughs and sneezes.”

Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

1. BREAKING: Two COVID-19 Cases Linked to U.S. Geological Survey HQ in Reston
2. Fairfax County Board Considers Declaring Local Emergency
3. Reston Town Center is a ‘Ghost Town’
4. Roundup: Coronavirus Closures in Reston and Herndon
5. JUST IN: Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Declares Local Emergency

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your social distancing plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below. A number of carryout and delivery options are available locally.

Photo by Don Becker

Greater Reston Arts Center has selected a new executive director and curator after former head Lily Siegel resigned earlier this year.

Jaynelle Hazard will lead the organization as it rebrands and repositions itself in the community as a cultural force, according to a press release.

“I intend to expand GRACE’s already critically engaged practice by introducing new methods to advance scholarship; extend its reach in interdisciplinary experimentation of contemporary art and ideas; and engage audiences of all backgrounds and identities,” Hazard said.

Here’s more from the release:

Hazard received her BA in Fashion Design & Merchandising from Virginia Commonwealth University and her MA in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York (she is currently DC Chapter Co-Chair for Sotheby’s Institute of Art Alumni). For the last two years she has been the Director of Exhibitions for the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia, where she oversaw five main gallery spaces, six artist-run galleries, outdoor installations and community-related projects (including a highly regarded outdoor mural project and festival), produced 75+ exhibitions, provided opportunities for 200+ artists, bolstered a new base of over 700 visitors, and grew social media presence by more than 2,000 followers. Before that she lived in New York working as Art Collection Administrator for the important UBS art collection (supporting an inventory of 30,000 modern and contemporary art works). She also spent four years in Cape Town, South Africa, a time that included serving on the team at Blank Projects Art Gallery. She is the Chair of the Faith Flanagan Fellowship and Co-Chair of the State of Art 5/DC conference for the DC Chapter of ArtTable, Inc. (the foremost professional organization dedicated to advancing the leadership of women in the visual arts).

“Jaynelle differentiated herself from a strong list of candidates with her inspiring contemporary curatorial vision and aesthetic since, first and foremost, we are a content organization dedicated to delivering the very best contemporary cultural experience,” said Robert Goudie, GRACE Board Chair. “And at a time when we are growing the strength of our voice in the regional and national cultural conversation, Jaynelle also brings strong connections to art networks in the DC region and New York. There are a lot of very talented people in our region, but Jaynelle, I think, is someone who can really establish for herself and GRACE pretty special and distinguished territory.”

Siegel left GRACE to become the new executive director of Hamiltonian Artists in the District as its fellowship program and exhibit transitions into a nonprofit organization.

Photo by Prathibha Polapragada

After years of work, Reston Association’s Board of Directors formally adopted a new conflict of interest policy last night.

The policy, which was formulated after more than four years of discussion, regulates conflicts concerning economic interests. Board members and other individuals must disclose financial interests through an annual disclosure form, including interests that produce a fair market value of $5,000 or more annually and investments of $5,000 or more in any economic venture. Interests links to family members must also be disclosed.

Individuals covered by the policy are also required to report sources of income exceeding $5,000 per calendar year from businesses or contractual relations with Reston Association or any affiliated Reston interest group.

Board President Cathy Baum lauded RA and its committee for their work drafting the policy.

“It is not a perfect document but I am very proud of all the work and all the people who have been involved in this,” Baum said.

Julie Bitzer, Vice President of the board and a staunch advocate of the policy, said she was also proud that the policy had been formulated.

“Like anything, it can be improved,” Bitzer said.

Due to COVID-19, only two board members were present during the abridged meeting, with all other board members dialing in via conference call.

“I know this isn’t the best way to run a meeting but we have 21,000 members and it’s important that we try to conduct business as best we can,” Baum said.

Image via YouTube

State Gov. Ralph Northam recently ordered restaurants, bars, and gym to enforce a 10-person limit in their establishments.

Unlike DC and Maryland where restaurants were ordered to close earlier this week, many local restaurants are continuing operations. Some are open with reduced hours and while others are shifting entirely to carry out and delivery.

Small businesses are reporting financial distress as COVID-19 continues to spread. So far, the county’s health district has 16 confirmed cases — a number that’s expected to rise as more people receive tests.

Here’s a list of spots to check out for takeout and delivery options. Please note that restaurants are updating hours and policies on a daily basis.

Carryout and Delivery

• Amphora: Reduced bakery hours on weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call ahead for curbside delivery
• Ariake: To-go orders only between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Bobby’s Bagel Cafe: Carryout and delivery offered
• CAVA: Some locations have closed, but the Reston location is open for pick up orders
• CarPool Herndon: Carryout offered; 10-guest limit for dine-in
• Charred: Customers can grab a $10 cheeseburger with chips and drinks all week.
• Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant: Foodservice discontinued, but the tasting room remains open
• Elden Street Tea Shop: Customers can place an order online
• Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern: Delivery and pick-up only via Doordash. Free delivery is offered within a 10-mile radius. The kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
• Lake Anne Brew House: A new “taproom to go” site was launched yesterday (Thursday)
• Lucia’s Italian Ristorante: The restaurant is also open for dine-in
• Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls — The owner tells us the Reston Town Center location is open from noon to 7 p.m. Carryout, curbside pickup and free delivery in RTC are available
• Mission BBQ: Open for take-out and delivery only. Free delivery for all orders of $25 or more through March 31
• Founding Farmers: Delivery and takeout offered, with first respondents. Current and formers employees get 50 percent off for curbside pick up orders.
• Finn Thai: Open for dine-in, delivery and carryout
• Glory Days (North Point and Fox Mill Locations) — Carryout, online ordering and delivery
• Gregorio’s Trattoria: Open and also offering delivery and carryout
• Kalypso’s Sports Tavern: Free delivery and takeout
• Mezeh Mediterranean Grill: Pickup and delivery available. Buy one bowl, get one free.
• Morton’s The Steakhouse: Takeout offered from noon to 8 p.m. daily. Half off of select wines with purchase of food.
• Nando’s Peri-Peri: Delivery and carryout
• Nordic Knot: Orders can also be placed online
• North Italia: Delivery and carryout offered only
• Silver Diner (11951 Killingsworth Avenue): Carryout, curbside, and delivery online available
• Ted’s Bulletin: Dine-in is open “with strict sanitation and health checks,” according to the company
• The Counter: Online orders open
• The Melting Pot: Reduced hours from Sunday through Thursday, with an early closing time of 9 p.m.
• The Counter: Online orders open
• Virginia Kitchen: Open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Curbside service highly encouraged
• Weird Brothers Coffee: The Worldgate Metro Plaza location is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The roasting factory is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The coffee shop is also offering takeout, curbside delivery and local delivery

Temporary Closures

• Big Bowl
• Bombay Velvet
• Crafthouse: Gifts cards available for purchase online
• Mon Ami Gabi
• Not Your Average Joe’s
• PassionFish
• Uncle Julio’s

Help us update this list by commenting below with the name of the business and a link with details

Photo via Lake Anne Brew House/Facebook

FCPS Update from Superintendent — In an email sent to parents last night, Superintendent Scott Braband said that the school system will pivot to distance learning if schools are not open by April 14. Over the next two weeks, distance learning training for teachers will begin. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Federal Disaster Loans Available for Small Businesses —  Businesses and nonprofit organizations in Virginia can now only for low-interest federal disaster loans of up to $2 million. [Small Business Administration]

Support Local Businesses — Owners of several local businesses urged customers to continue supporting them by purchasing food and other items via curbside pickup, delivery, carryout, or online services. [YouTube]

Trouble with Reston Association Login— If members have trouble logging into their WebTrac account, they should email [email protected] with their name, property address or account number. [WebTrac]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

County officials are evaluating if the Fairfax Connector bus service should continue normal operations. For now, Fairfax Connector is operating on a normal schedule.

A spokesperson for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation told Reston Now that changes in service levels are possible in the future, but no plans have been finalized yet.

Overall, ridership has taken a hit, but it’s too soon to tell by how much, according to Robin Geiger, an FCDOT spokeswoman.

The Fairfax Connector’s operations contractor has implemented a more rigorous vehicle cleaning cycle with “a special focus on bus interiors and critical touchpoints such as door handles, handrails, and other surfaces,” according to FCDOT. The contractor is also working with its workforce to ensure employees are informed about coronavirus and measures to slow its spread.

Passengers should continue to practice ways to prevent spreading COVID-19 by washing hands often with soap and water, avoiding touching your eyes nose or mouth, and avoiding contact with people who are sick.

The Fairfax Health District has 14 presumptive cases of COVID-19.

How do you think the bus service should respond to COVID-19? Let us know in the poll below.

Fairfax County Public Schools is expanding the number of grab-and-go sites and adding several pop-up options throughout the county.

Students can pick up breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at one of the 39 sites in the county. The service is intended for students that rely on free and reduced price school meals and is also open to county children under 18. Adults can also purchase meals for $2.

On Wednesday (March 18), the county announced that its food truck will travel to nine pop-up sites in the county. The truck is expected to swing by South Lakes High School between 11-11:30 a.m.

Beginning today (Thursday), school buses will also deliver meals along some bus routes by stopping at designated intersections. The schedule is available online.

Local grab-and-go sites are below:

• Herndon Elementary School (630 Dranesville Road)
• Dogwood Elementary School (12300 Glade Drive)
• Hutchison Elementary School (13209 Parcher Avenue)
• Forest Edge Elementary School (1501 Becontree Lane)
• Coates Elementary School (2460 River Burch Road)

The complete list is available online. An online map created by the county also allows users to search all food distribution sites in the area.

Photo via FCPS

Construction on new townhomes near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station is underway.

Union Towns at Reston Station is composed of 26 “luxury townhouses” behind the Lofts, a low-rise condominium building off of Sunset Hills Road.

Although construction is underway, it’s unclear when the project will be completed. The development includes an on-site dog park and green space, as well as members-only access to the nearby rooftop pool.

Prices for each townhouse unit start at $800,000, according to Union Towns’ website.

At a recent site visit, construction crews demolished an office building that is opposite the site as well.

Photo by Fatimah Waseem

“We have consulted with DOI public health officials and leadership on appropriate actions,” the email states. “We are aware of the areas these individuals visited and are cleaning these areas following CDC guidelines.”

A USGS employee told Reston Now that many employees are concerned about the spread of the respiratory disease in the building, especially since visitors continue to come in and out of the building.

Although the building is open, employees can opt to work remotely, according to USGS spokeswoman Karen Armstrong.

“We have determined that the risk of exposure to employees who did not have direct contact with the affected individuals is low,” she said. 

Ashley Hopko contributed reporting to this story.

Photo by Don Becker