February 2, 2021
To the Fairfax County Community,

Today, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) updated the Board on the state of our County's vaccination process. I have shared key information below. During the meeting, I asked that a vaccine dashboard (similar to our existing testing dashboard) be stood up so residents can track FCHD's progress and so residents can get a clearer picture of where they are in the queue, if they have registered to be vaccinated. I will continue to update you as I know more.

I also wanted to take the opportunity to again thank our Health Department staff and everyone who is helping us administer the thousands of doses we have been able to administer. Vaccine distribution is no small feat. It is because of the dedication of these individuals that we are able to get vaccines in arms as quickly as possible.

See below for the full February 2 edition of my newsletter. For COVID-19 resources mentioned in past newsletters, visit my website. If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here.
COVID-19
COVID-19 caseload stats:

  • As you can see in the graph above, cases are decreasing and have been for 17 days. Our percent positivity rate is at 9.4%.
  • Unfortunately, this drop still translated to 254 new cases today (generally 29.8 cases per 100,000 people) and we are still seeing increases in occurrences of COVID-19 outbreaks across the County.
  • There continues to be a high risk of community spread.

Please continue to follow the COVID-19 mitigation practices that we know work:

  • Wear a mask.
  • Social distance.
  • Stay home when sick and as much as possible.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
Vaccine
You can see the full presentation slides here and watch the video of the meeting here.
Where we are:

  • Fairfax County is currently vaccinating Phase 1a and some of Phase 1b.
  • The essential workers currently begin vaccinated are:
  • Police, fire, hazmat.
  • Corrections and homeless shelter.
  • Childcare, K-12 teachers and staff.
  • Other essential workers for example, mail carriers, grocery store workers, transportation workers are not yet able to register to be vaccinated.

Vaccine Handling and Distribution

  • Vaccine doses arrive at the FCHD Pharmacy and are stored at the appropriate temperatures.
  • It is allocated for HD use or redistributed to partners:
  • Inova
  • Kaiser
  • GMU
  • FQHC/Safety net providers
  • Occupational Health
  • Detention Center
  • Healthcare providers
  • The Health Department tracks the number of doses available and administered in order to eliminate vaccine wastage. This includes coordination between vaccination lines and dropping to a single shared vial at the end of the day to ensure there is no waste.
Vaccine Numbers:

  • Virginia receives about 105,000 doses per week and Fairfax County receives about 13,600 doses per week.
  • Of those 13,600 doses, the Health Department is generally following state guidelines at this time and allocating about 50% for older adults and 50% for front line essential workers. 
  • As of Feb. 1: 
  • FCHD: 45,238 doses administered.
  • Inova: approximately 75,000 doses administered.
  • Skilled nursing and assisted living. facilities: 6,069 doses administered.
  • Others: 16,368 doses administered.
  • Total doses received by FCHD: 58,825 first doses and 25,800 second doses.

Other Important Notes:

  • The national vaccine supply is limited and we expect limited supply through March.
  • There are currently 186,602 people in Fairfax County's vaccine registration queue. It will take many weeks to get everyone vaccinated.
  • When supply is sufficient, vaccine will be administered by private providers, pharmacies, occupational health clinics, etc. (similar to flu vaccinations). 
Health
Common Health Questions:

  • People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. You might experience:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Follow mitigation practices:
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if that isn't an option (especially when in public places)
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
  • Don't touch your face
  • Social distance
  • Wear a mask (Which is required in Virginia.)
  • What it means to social distance, self-isolate, and quarantine.
  • If interacting with others outside of your household, being outside is safer than inside. You can make your home safer by increasing ventilation and filtration.
  • The New York Times (access to COVID-19 content is free) speaks with infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists, and microbiologists to find out if COVID-19 can land on your clothing, hair, shoes, and mail.

COVID-19 Resources:

  • Fairfax County Health Department
  • Fairfax County's data dashboard is here and the Virginia Department of Health's is here.
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19, Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • To view multilingual health materials visit the County's Language Portal.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777. Para inscribirse, textear FFXCOVIDESP a 888777.
  • Call the Health Department from 9am-7pm weekdays and 9:30am-5pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: [email protected]. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
  • Inova's COVID-19 FAQ.

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources:
We recognize that we are in very trying times, but I hope this newsletter helps you track the progress we are making.

As I often say, we are truly lucky to live in Fairfax County where we have the resources to overcome challenges and a community who rises to the occasion.

Jeffrey C. McKay
Contact the Office

[email protected] | 703.324.2321 |