June 18, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

Today, I had the privilege of hosting a round table discussion with Governor Ralph Northam and members of the Northern Virginia Latino community. Governor Northam’s regular COVID-19 press conference also took place at the Fairfax County Government Center. You can watch the full press conference here and see a photo below .

In addition, I asked the County Executive to commemorate Juneteenth as a Fairfax County holiday, keeping with the Governor's designation on the state level. Fairfax is committed to our shared values of diversity, inclusivity, and equity, and our holidays must reflect that. Those commitments require listening to diverse voices and acknowledging the common history of all Americans.

Fairfax County Government administrative offices will therefore be closed. Employees who staff essential 24-hour County operations and other essential services will work as scheduled, including public safety and trash collection.

Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. In 1865, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, word finally reached the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas.

See below for the full June 18 edition of my newsletter. For the 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.
Forward Virginia Phase 3

  • Governor Northam outlined guidelines for Phase 3 of reopening today. The Commonwealth however does not yet have a targeted date for entering Phase 3.
  • Phase 3 guidelines can be found in English here and in Spanish here.
  • Key changes:
  • Non-essential businesses, restaurants, and beverage services may fully reopen.
  • Entertainment venues may open at 50% capacity.
  • All open facilities must continue to maintain physical distancing practices and enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices.
  • Gatherings of up to 250 people will be allowed.
  • Teleworking is still strongly encouraged.
  • Face masks are still required.
  • Phase 2 guidelines are here.

Fairfax County Testing

  • As I discussed in today's press conference, I want to provide an overview of Fairfax County's testing capacity.
  • Over 69,000 viral tests (not including antibody tests) have been conducted in Fairfax County with an average of 9,200 tests performed per week.
  • We have the capacity to test all with COVID-19 symptoms or those who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Learn how to get tested here.
  • If you are uninsured or have a low income and need a test, go here.

Testing Vulnerable Communities

  • The Fairfax County Health Department is performing targeted testing in vulnerable communities. To choose testing locations, they are using data that shows clusters of high risk spread.
  • Testing utilizes a mobile lab provided by the Fairfax Fire & Rescue Department.
  • Events are not highly publicizing so neighborhoods can be specifically targeted.
  • If an individual has tested positive, they will receive care guidance, assistance with quarantine options, and a thorough contact tracing investigation.

Other Headlines

  • Fairfax County Public Library's curbside pickup services has expanded to Saturdays.
  • Three steps to stay safe from COVID-19 if you are 60 or above.
  • As a reminder, even though the County Government Center is closed, there are a number of resources you can access online.
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:
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills, repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste and smell
  • Continue to follow the health guidelines:
  • 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
  • What it means to social distance, self-isolate, and quarantine.
  • The CDC recommends wearing non-medical masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is now required in Virginia.
  • The New York Times (access to COVID-19 content is free) spoke with infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists, and microbiologists to find out if COVID-19 can land on your clothing, hair, shoes, and mail.

Resources:

  • Fairfax County Health Department
  • To view the number of cases in Fairfax County this page is updated at noon daily.
  • 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 9:00 am - 7 pm weekdays and 9:30 am - 5 pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 am - 8 pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
We recognize that we are in very trying times, but I hope you see in these newsletters that positive change has occurred over the last several months.

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

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov | 703.324.2321 |