August 12, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

If you are a parent, I understand the stresses relating to child care and virtual learning that you are probably experiencing. This stress is particularly difficult for those who must leave home for work. I'm a parent of two. I wasn't ready for the challenges of virtual learning either. However, it is time to prepare, to move forward, and to put ourselves in the best possible position for the upcoming school year.

The Board of Supervisors is committed to supporting FCPS in their decision to begin the year virtually. One way we are doing so is by launching a new program with a SACC component called Supporting Return to School. With this program we hope to partially fill the need for Fairfax County families regarding child care and providing a safe education environment for the kids who need it. More on this program follows the COVID-19 data update.

See below for the full August 12 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.
COVID-19 Data
Percentage of Positive Tests
Percentage of Positive Tests

  • Status: There was a marginal week-to-week increase during the week of July 26 to a 5.6% positivity rate.
  • What does this mean? Our case numbers are elevated when compared to mid-July, but we are not seeing the surge in cases that other parts of Virginia and the country are experiencing. Significantly, our cases remain stable.
Hospitalizations
Hospitalizations

  • Status: Hospitalizations for COVID-related illness are low with a steady trend.
  • Recently, several single day spikes in hospitalizations can be observed and are attributable to retrospective data cleaning (e.g., case hospitalized after FCHD interview and subsequent medical record review allowed for more accurate data to be captured).
Testing
Testing

  • Status: Since early July, testing totals have been above 10,000 tests per week among Fairfax Health District residents.
  • 10,112 tests were collected during the week of July 26.
  • What does this mean? The more tests, the better. It provides a fuller picture of what's happening.

Contact Tracing Capacity

  • Status: As of August 6, 268 of 406 contact tracing staff have been hired. This includes 26 interview supervisors, 200 case and contact interviewers, 7 community healthcare worker supervisory staff, 34 community healthcare workers, and 1 epidemiologist.
  • With the current hiring schedule, all 406 contracted positions should be filled by the end of August.

Enough hospital beds and intensive care capacity

  • Overall available hospital beds were at 27%; a 3% increase from the July 28 report.
  • Since the beginning of August, a steady trend around 30% in available adult critical care beds has been observed.

Increasing and sustainable supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • PPE for hospitals continues to be adequate.
Other Updates
School Aged Child Care (SACC) - Supporting Return to School (SRS)

  • Following the success of our Camp Fairfax program (see the above video for a Camp Fairfax hand washing song!), Fairfax County is offering a new program with a SACC component for families.
  • The purpose is to support children's online learning and to engage kids in a curriculum that will support their growth and development.
  • The SRS program will be offered at 37 FCPS locations.
  • Sites are primarily Title I funded schools or are FCPS food distribution sites.
  • Two locations will serve students ages 5-21 with special needs.
  • Program operating hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-6pm.
  • An adjusting sliding fee scale will be provided.
  • Program details are still being finalized, registration will be available soon.
  • I recently visited Camp Fairfax to see the safety measures put in place and know that as we move forward with SRS that we need to continue to put strict safety measures in place. Therefore, the program will have limited spots due to distancing protocols. We are also hoping it will help families with no other choice but to go to work and have no way to support their children who may be at risk of falling behind academically.

Fairfax County Commission for Women

  • FCCW is seeking a college or high school student to serve on the Commission for one to two school terms this academic year.
  • The student will serve as a voting member, aid the Commission in gaining perspective on issues facing young women, and serve as a conduit to student organizations. 
  • You must be 16 years or older and be a resident of Fairfax County.
  • Learn more here.

Events

  • Fairfax County played a part in the women's suffrage movement. Local attractions are celebrating the centennial of the 19th Amendment through events and exhibits. See what's happening here.
  • Workhouse Arts Center holds a Community Market on Saturday mornings. Learn more here.
  • The Fairfax County Park Authority is holding their summer concert series virtually. See the schedule here.
  • Visit Fairfax is encouraging residents to eat local with the Take Out Trail.
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
  • 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 9am-7pm weekdays and 9:30am-5pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
  • 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 |
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