COVID-19 | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published June 14, 2022 at 7:30AM

A heron flying above Lake Audubon in Reston (photo by Marjorie Copson)

County Seeks Feedback on Covid Response — While the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over, Fairfax County is starting to evaluate how it handled the crisis. The county government is conducting two surveys — one for the community and one for businesses — to gather feedback on people’s experiences. The surveys are available online and at county libraries until July 5. [Fairfax County Government]

Fairfax City Community to Weigh in on Street Renamings — “Fairfax City Council is hosting a public hearing at its regular meeting Tuesday night to solicit feedback on a proposal to rename 14 streets in the city whose current names are associated with the confederacy, slavery or the ‘Lost Cause.'” [Patch]

Countywide

As COVID-19 cases drop in Fairfax County, hope emerges for vaccines for kids under 5

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated June 13, 2022 at 2:32PM

Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases over the past 26 weeks, as of June 13, 2022 (via VDH)

After watching adults and teens across the country go through three, sometimes even four rounds of COVID-19 vaccinations, families with young kids may soon see an end to the agonizing wait for a first shot.

Vaccines for kids under 5 developed by Moderna and Pfizer appear to be safe and effective, according to analyses by federal health officials that the Food and Drug Administration released on June 10 and yesterday (Sunday).

Countywide

Covid cases decline in Fairfax County, but health department urges caution

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 6, 2022 at 2:15PM

An at-home rapid COVID-19 test (via sarah b/Unsplash)

As summer takes hold, COVID-19 transmissions appear to be plateauing in the Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

After hitting 601 cases on May 25, the peak for this spring, the district’s weekly average dipped to 457.4 cases per day on Thursday (June 2) and is currently sitting at 479.1 cases, according to Virginia Department of Health data.

Countywide

Fairfax Health District’s COVID-19 count surpasses 200,000 cases

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 31, 2022 at 2:15PM

All Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases, as of May 31, 2022 (via VDH)

Roughly 27 months after its first reported infection, the Fairfax Health District has officially recorded more than 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

To be exact, there have now been 202,162 cases in Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, according to the Fairfax County Health Department. 4,568 residents have been hospitalized, and 1,518 residents have died during the pandemic.

Countywide

Most Fairfax County vaccinated kids now eligible for Covid booster shots

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 23, 2022 at 3:00PM

Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases over the past 26 weeks, as of May 23, 2022 (via VDH)

More than half of the school-aged kids in Fairfax County — 53.6%, to be precise — are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

That means more than 57,000 Fairfax Health District residents aged 5 to 11 have gotten both shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine since they became eligible for it in early November, according to the Fairfax County Health Department.

Countywide

Spring COVID-19 surge continues in Fairfax County, as U.S. death toll hits 1 million

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 16, 2022 at 3:00PM

The flags at the Fairfax County Government Center flags are at half mast in honor of the 1 million Americans killed by COVID-19 so far (via Fairfax County Government/Twitter

The Fairfax Health District could potentially reach 200,000 COVID-19 cases by the end of May, if the ongoing surge in transmission continues at its current rate.

The district, which includes Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, reported another 408 cases today (Monday), bumping its total for the pandemic up to 193,824 cases.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 12, 2022 at 7:30AM

Double cherry blossoms in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Local Parents Scramble to Find Baby Formula — “In Virginia, the [Women, Infants, and Children] program expanded formula options available to participants after a February recall of Abbott-made formula, but low inventory has forced many parents to search multiple stores, Paula N. Garrett, the state WIC director, said in a statement.” [The Washington Post]

Covid Outbreaks at More than Two Dozen Schools — “Twenty-six schools in Fairfax County are dealing with a coronavirus outbreak, according to the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard…The Fairfax County school system has the highest number of schools reporting an outbreak in the region.” [Inside NoVA]

Countywide

Fairfax County’s COVID-19 hospital admissions went up by half last week

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 9, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated May 16, 2022 at 2:26PM

Fairfax County has seen a 54.2% increase in COVID-19 hospital admissions over the previous week, as of Friday, May 6 (via CDC)

(Updated on 5/16/2022) Hospitalizations for COVID-19 remain low in Fairfax County, but they have started to climb in recent weeks as the latest surge in the disease continues.

An estimated 52 new residents were admitted to a hospital with COVID-19 last week through Friday (May 6), a 54.2% increase from the previous seven days, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 9, 2022 at 7:30AM

Wolftrap Creek in Vienna is high during a rainy Saturday (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Amazon Plans Chantilly Data Center — “Amazon.com Inc.’s data center arm is working to develop a new data center facility in Chantilly, with plans to invest nearly $36 million into the project, according to Fairfax County records. The vacant property located at 3980 Virginia Mallory Drive is part of Amazon’s 46.4 acres in Avion Parkway, which the company bought for $55.9 million in 2021.” [Washington Business Journal]

Rappelling Stunt Supports Fairfax County Nonprofit — “On Thursday and Friday, about 80 people, including two local elected officials, a Washington Post reporter, and a member of the D.C. Divas women’s football team, dressed in full pads and uniform, rappelled down the side of the Crystal City Hilton to raise funds and awareness for New Hope Housing.” [The Washington Post]

Countywide

JUST IN: Fairfax County’s COVID-19 community level climbs to ‘medium’

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2022 at 10:45AM

Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases over the past 13 weeks, as of May 6, 2022 (via VDH)

Fairfax County’s ongoing Covid surge reached new heights this week.

The county is now seeing a “medium” level of COVID-19 in the community. This is the first time that the county’s classification has changed since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopted its current metrics for measuring the disease’s spread in February.