health | FFXnow

Inova opens pediatric sick clinic near Seven Corners to relieve emergency room demand

Published January 18, 2024 at 11:45AM

A pediatric sick clinic is now open at the Inova Cares Clinic for Children near Seven Corners (courtesy Inova)

Inova patients in the Falls Church area can now get medical attention for their sick kids without having to visit an emergency room or make an appointment.

The nonprofit health system launched a pediatric sick clinic this morning (Thursday) out of the Inova Cares Clinic for Children (6400 Arlington Blvd, Suite 50) near Seven Corners. Described as the first service of its kind in Northern Virginia, the sick clinic serves children with common but less severe symptoms of illness, such as fever or coughing.

Countywide

Dulles Airport traveler may have brought measles to N. Va., health officials warn

By Fatimah Waseem

Published January 16, 2024 at 9:30AM

Sign welcomes arriving travelers to Dulles International Airport (file photo)

Health officials are cautioning the public about a possible measles exposure in Northern Virginia.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, someone who traveled through Northern Virginia from abroad was confirmed to have measles.

Countywide

Poll: Have you gotten sick this winter?

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated January 12, 2024 at 12:05PM

A tissue box with a mug (via Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash)

(Updated at 12:05 p.m.) Colds are in the air this winter, as a new COVID-19 variant has joined forces with the flu and RSV to produce a particularly challenging respiratory illness season.

Covid-related hospitalization levels remain low in Fairfax County, where 145 patients were admitted in the week that ended on Dec. 30 — a 46% increase from the previous week. But hospital visits and deaths are on the rise in Virginia and nationally, with the U.S. death toll exceeding 1.1 million people since the first case in 2020.

News

Junior League will provide period products to women served by Lorton center

By Inside NoVA

Published November 1, 2023 at 11:45AM

The Lorton Community Action Center is housed in the Lorton Library (via Google Maps)

The Junior League of Northern Virginia has committed to providing at least 8,000 period products to clients of the Lorton Community Action Center over the next year.

The mission of the Lorton center is to enhance the quality of life for clients by providing food, basic needs, and self-sufficiency programs.

News

New urgent care center from Inova opens in former Fairfax Petland

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 24, 2023 at 11:45AM | Updated October 25, 2023 at 3:38PM

A new Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care Center has opened at Pickett Shopping Center in Fairfax (courtesy Inova Health System)

A Fairfax pet store that came under investigation for mistreating animals has been replaced by a facility for treating sprained ankles and other medical needs of human patients.

Inova Health System has opened an urgent care center at 9404-A Main Street in Fairfax City’s Pickett Shopping Center, the recently rebranded nonprofit health care provider announced yesterday (Monday).

Countywide

Halfway through unwinding, 15% of Virginia Medicaid enrollees have lost coverage

By Meghan McIntyre / Virginia Mercury

Published October 20, 2023 at 1:30PM

Doctor holding a stethoscope (via Online Marketing/Unsplash)

Halfway through Virginia’s review of whether millions of Medicaid enrollees are still eligible for coverage after the pandemic, nearly 160,000 Virginians have lost coverage — roughly 15% of the over 1 million members whose cases have been reviewed so far.

For the past three years, anyone who was enrolled in Medicaid was allowed to keep their coverage regardless of whether or not they still met eligibility requirements like income level. Now that the COVID-19 federal public health emergency is over, the Department of Medical Assistance Services is carrying out a redetermination — or “unwinding” — process to decide which members no longer qualify.

News

Residents told to stay out of Lake Thoreau after algae bloom appears

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 11, 2023 at 10:15AM

A partial algae bloom is present on Lake Thoreau (Photo via Reston Association).

An algae bloom has taken over a portion of Reston’s Lake Thoreau.

In a statement released yesterday (Tuesday), Reston Association said the bloom contains “potentially harmful cyanobacteria.”

News

Raccoon hit by vehicles near West Falls Church had rabies, city warns

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2023 at 9:30AM

A raccoon walking in grass (via Pete Nuij/Unsplash)

A raccoon struck by two different vehicles on Route 29 last weekend has tested positive for rabies, Falls Church City says.

The drivers hit the animal near the 500 block of S. Washington Street in the West Falls Church area on Saturday, Sept. 23, according to the city. The raccoon’s resulting injuries led Falls Church City police to euthanize it.

Countywide

Fairfax County to get updated COVID-19 vaccines amid surge in illness

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 14, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated September 14, 2023 at 4:45PM

COVID-19 cases reported in the Fairfax Health District over the past year, as of Sept. 14, 2023 (via VDH)

(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) A new batch of COVID-19 vaccines is on the way, as the disease appears to be surging once again.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday (Sept. 14) that it recommends everyone 6 months and older get the shots, which have been updated to provide improved protection against the variants fueling the current rise in illness and hospitalizations.

Countywide

Covid hospitalizations tick up slightly as county health officials monitor new variant

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 21, 2023 at 11:30AM

Fairfax County COVID-19 severity measures as of Aug. 18, 2023 (via FCHD)

Fairfax County health officials are monitoring a new COVID-19 variant that has gained traction in the U.S., becoming the most prevalent strain of the disease.

Since the pandemic ceased to be an official national health emergency in May, Covid has faded to the background for many, even as others struggle with long-term health issues after getting infected.