Two Men Rob Victim in Parking Lot — Police believe that two men assaulted and robbed a man at gunpoint on the 1600 block of Reston Parkway on April 21. The victim was not injured. The suspects were described as black men in their 20s or 30s. [Fairfax County Police Department]

FCPS Assistant Superintendent Resigns — The fallout of the school system’s distance learning debacle continues. Maribeth Luftglass, who oversaw the school system’s department of information technology, is stepping down from the role she has held for 21 years. [Twitter]

Delays in Daily COVID Count — The process that compiles daily case counts overnights underwent an error. Case information is unavailable this morning. Staff is working to resolve the issue. [Virginia Department of Health]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

A security guard at Lake Anne Fellowship House, a 240-unit development for seniors in need of affordable housing, has tested positive for coronavirus.

Fellowship Square Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and support services for low-income seniors, is working with the security company to identify if the guard came into contact with staff or residents, according to Christy Zeitz, the foundation’s CEO.

A cleaning crew is also conducting deep cleaning and sanitizing of all areas where the guard was in and around, including common areas, doorknobs, elevators, the front desk, and handrails.

In a notice to tenants and families yesterday (April 21), Zeitz said the foundation is working with the Virginia Department of Health and the security company to contain the spread of the virus.

“The health and safety of all residents and staff is our foremost priority,” Zeitz wrote. “We are working closely with the company and state health officials to ensure all necessary steps are taken, including the identification of staff who recently came into contact with the vendor.”

All residents have been instructed to stay in their apartments. Service coordinators will contact residents and their families over the phone or email to ensure residents have food and other necessities.

Older adults and people with several underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of developing more serious complications from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All potentially affected staff are at home in quarantine and there is no personal contact between staff and residents.

The Fellowship House is seeking donation of food and groceries for residents so that they don’t need to leave the premises for supplies, as well as protective masks. Although the organization is awaiting an order of 1,700 masks for its residents, it’s unclear when the shipment will arrive.

File photo

The number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County is reaching the 2,000 mark.

According to state health data released this morning, there are now 1,925 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Fairfax County. The county hit a little over 1,000 cases just eight days ago.

For the last three days, the growth rate of cases has hovered between six and ten percent.

The number of cases between Sunday and today (Monday) jumped by roughly six percent, adding a total of 116 new cases. Between Saturday and Sunday, that jump was about 11 percent.

In recent days, the state has released more data on hospitalizations, deaths and outbreaks. So far, there at 8,990 cases of COVID-19 statewide and 300 people have died, including at least 30 Fairfax County residents.

The deadliest of statewide outbreaks have occurred at long term care facilities. According to state data, 915 cases have been linked to outbreaks in these facilities, leading to 77 deaths.

So far, the week of April 5 resulted in the most number of new cases (2,268). The cumulative count of cases continues to increase daily at generally faster rates than the last month.

Data via Virginia Department of Health

Fairfax County’s top official says new demographic data is expected to get shared publicly soon as the county continues to lead the increase of COVID-19 cases statewide.

Fairfax County now has two more coronavirus outbreaks since yesterday, bringing the total to 19, according to the Virginia Department of Health. There are 17 outbreaks at long term care facilities, one at a correction facility and one at a “healthcare setting.”

Virginia has 108 total outbreaks, with more than half at long term care facilities.

In a Twitter Q&A yesterday, Jeff McKay, the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, said that demographic case data is expected to get posted online “shortly.”

At this point, the Health Dept is not providing case data on less than a county level. Thankfully, I know this will change soon. The Health Dept will have a dashboard online shortly with demographic case data. https://t.co/OOwdy7v5EQ

— Jeff McKay (@JeffreyCMcKay) April 14, 2020

Overall, 6,500 cases and 195 deaths have been reported statewide. More than 44,000 people in Virginia have been tested for the virus.

As of this morning, the Fairfax Health District had 1,298 cases — 91 more cases than yesterday’s count.

The Fairfax Health District includes Fairfax County, the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and towns in the county.

In the Fairfax Health District, 256 people have been hospitalized, while 6,827 have been tested.

Yesterday, Fairfax County reported 21 deaths. All of the individuals who died from the illness were age 50 or older, with 18 of the people age 65 or older.

Data via Virginia Department of Health

The number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County has passed 1,000.

The county continues to lead all other jurisdictions with a total of 1,164 cases, according to state data released this morning.

Between yesterday (Sunday) and today, 156 new cases were reported.

Overall, 5,747 cases statewide and 149 deaths have been reported, including 19 deaths in Fairfax County.

Currently, seven hospitals in the state are having trouble securing personal proactive equipment.

Roughly 23 percent of available ventilators statewide are currently in use and 5,970 beds are available for patients.

Data via Virginia Department of Health

Updated at 6:30 p.m. —Fairfax County announced this afternoon that the number of cases totals 778 and there have been 19 deaths.

Earlier: The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the county more than doubled for the first time in more than a week.

Eleven more people in Fairfax County have died from the novel coronavirus, according to information released by the county yesterday (Thursday).

That brings the total number of deaths in the county to 16. As of today (Friday), there are 777 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, up from 690 yesterday.

All individuals who died from the illness were above the age of 50.

In the state, 121 people have died from the respiratory disease and there are a little over 4,500 cases.

This week, the growth rate of cases has increased in comparison to the previous week.

Data from Virginia Department of Health

The number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County continues to increase at a faster rate in the county.

According to state data released this morning, the number of cases jumped from 570 yesterday (Wednesday) to 690 overnight. The highest percent increase of cases was reported this week.

Fairfax County continues to have the most number of cases in the state. Overall, more than 33,000 people have been tested and nearly 4,042 cases have been confirmed. So far, 109 people have died.

The county’s health department cannot provide more geographic information about cases beyond the county level due to privacy laws.

“We believe that all geographic areas of Fairfax County currently are at risk fo disease transmission,” the health department wrote in a statement.

Data via Virginia Department of Health

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to climb in Fairfax County.

As of today (Monday), cases rose by 14.5 percent from 426 on Sunday to 488.

Overall, statewide cases are nearing the 3,000-th mark. So far, there are 2,878 cases, a number that rested at around 1,000 cases just a week ago.

Arlington has the second-most number cases (203), followed by Loudoun County (188).

In the state, 51 people have died as a result of the respiratory illness, five of which occurred in the county.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now encouraging residents to wear face masks in order to prevent and slow community transmission.

Herndon Police Department officers are now wearing surgical masks and non-medical face coverings in public. The change, which went into effect over the weekend, is intended to protect officers and the community.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to climb in Fairfax County.

According to statistics released by the Virginia Department of Health today (Sunday), there are now 187 cases in the county, up from 124 cases on Friday.

While the latest spike is indicative of increased testing by commercial labs, local health officials say there is evidence of community-wide spread of the illness.

“The case numbers will continue to increase, but we do have some control over how fast that increase occurs and how high it goes,” the county stated.

Arlington has the second-most confirmed cases (84) in the state, followed by 61 in Loudoun County.

In the county, two people have died from the respiratory disease, including a man in his 60s who died on Friday. So far, residents between the age brackets of 18-49 and 50-64 have gotten ill at the same rates (16.1 percent each), while people age 65 and older comprise 21.4 percent of the total confirmed cases.

Overall, there are 890 confirmed cases and 22 deaths statewide.

Photo via Unsplash

Fairfax County jumped from 80 to 124 known cases of coronavirus from Thursday to Friday.

As of this morning, the county has the highest number of presumptive cases, followed by Arlington County, which has 63 cases, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

An increase in testing capacity in the state could explain the increase in confirmed cases.

Inova Urgent Care locations in Chantille, Arlington and Tysons recently turned into respiratory illness clinics that offer the test.

Statewide, 604 cases of the virus have been identified of the 7,337 people who have been tested. Fourteen people have died from the respiratory illness, with one death in Fairfax County.

Fairfax County has not yet released its daily update on COVID-19 cases.

Data via Virginia Department of Health and Fairfax County

For the Foodies: ‘Luxe Burger’ Spot Opens Today — A new hamburger restaurant — sister to the Capital Grille steakhouse chain — opens today in Reston Town Center. Items on the menu include lobster bisque, blue cheese, and truffle burger, and prime ribeye steak bites. [The Capital Burger]

Nearby: A Heads Up About the Coronavirus Outbreak –State officials are monitoring the outbreak of the virus, which was first detected in Wuhan, China and caused by a new coronavirus. The situation is described as “rapidly evolving.” [Virginia Department of Health]

Recap: Resetting Reston’s Vision — Angela Woolsey of the Fairfax County Times recaps a recent media meeting with Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who says that his top priority is managing growth. [Fairfax County Times

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

Recent cases of Hepatitis A may have started with strawberries used in smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Virginia, state health department officials warn.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has 96 Virginia stores, including one at Plaza America in Reston.

The Virginia Department of Health said testing indicates that frozen strawberries that originated in Egypt may be to blame for the illnesses. Four of the 10 cases in the commonwealth have occurred in Northern Virginia, the health department said.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe said it has stopped using those strawberries at all stores.

Tropical Smoothie said this in a statement:

Tropical Smoothie Cafe was notified by the Virginia Department of Health about several foodborne illnesses in the state linked to frozen strawberries sourced from Egypt.

Our cafes and their food handling practices have not been implicated in any way — the health department believes this is a single product issue (strawberries) sourced from Egypt. Egyptian strawberries represent a fraction of our overall strawberries purchased, and were predominantly distributed to stores in the Virginia market.

Today, our strawberries are primarily sourced from Mexico and California.

However, in an abundance of caution, we voluntarily pulled all strawberries sourced from Egypt from every cafe in our system, not only the Virginia cafes. Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members and we will continue to cooperate with the health authorities.”

Virginia health officials are encouraging anyone who consumed a smoothie with frozen strawberries at a restaurant in the last 50 days to watch for symptoms of Hepatitis A: jaundice, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and light-colored stools.

Additionally, customers who consumed a smoothie from a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia that contained frozen strawberries between  Aug. 5 – 8 may still benefit from vaccine or immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A, the health department said.

A vaccine or immune globulin given within two weeks of exposure to hepatitis A virus is effective at preventing the disease, health official said.

Virginia Department of Health officials say a person with measles may have visited several spots in the Reston and Herndon area last week, possibly exposing people to the illness.

The discovery of the person with measles came after health officials in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties confirmed last month that an infected person may have been contagious while visiting several area locations in the Chantilly and South Riding area between April 23 and May 1.

The second case has been confirmed in a person in close contact with the first case.

The latest exposures occurred between May 11 and May 15 at many locations from Fairfax County to Montgomery County, Md. Health officials said people who have received at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are at very low risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures.

Among the Reston-area locations:

• Starbucks, 2407 Centreville Rd., Herndon. Monday, May 12 between 7:10 and 10:20 a.m.
• Nysmith School for the Gifted, 13625 Eds Dr., Herndon. Tuesday, May 13 between 1:30 and 5:30 p.m, and same hours on Wednesday, May 14.
• Life Time Athletic, 1757 Business Center Dr., Reston. Wednesday, May 14 between 8:20 a.m and 12:45 p.m.

For additional locations in surrounding areas, see the Virginia Department of Health website.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat of an infected individual, say Virginia Department of Health officials.

Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body. Based on these dates of exposure, anyone infected with the measles virus may develop symptoms as late as June 5.

For people who are not vaccinated and who may have been exposed, the VDH offers this advice.

• Preventive treatment may be available for those who were at the exposure sites on May 15 only. The preventive treatment is particularly important for high risk individuals (e.g., pregnant women, infants under the age of one, and immunosuppressed people). However, this preventive treatment must be administered today, May 21, to be effective. Please call 1-877-275-8343 as soon as possible to be assessed for exposure risk.
• If you have never received MMR vaccine, you may be at risk of measles. Monitor your health and if you notice symptoms of measles (see below), immediately isolate yourself in your home to limit your exposure to others and call your primary health care provider to discuss further care.
• Call ahead before going to the doctor’s office or the emergency room and tell them that you were exposed to measles.