Updated at 6:30 p.m. — Fairfax County announced this afternoon that the number of cases totals 778 and there have been 19 deaths.
Earlier: The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the county more than doubled for the first time in more than a week.
Eleven more people in Fairfax County have died from the novel coronavirus, according to information released by the county yesterday (Thursday).
That brings the total number of deaths in the county to 16. As of today (Friday), there are 777 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, up from 690 yesterday.
All of the individuals who died from the illness were above the age of 50.
In the state, 121 people have died from the respiratory disease and there are a little over 4,500 cases.
This week, the growth rate of cases has increased in comparison to the previous week.
Data from Virginia Department of Health
Editor’s note: Tysons Reporter will temporarily have “Morning Notes” every weekday instead of twice a week to accommodate more news.
Grocery Stores Implement New Measures — “Three grocery store chains with locations in Falls Church announced this week plans to introduce stricter precautionary measures to avoid the potential spread of the coronavirus. Giant Food, Harris Teeter and Safeway will all now limit the amount of customers allowed in the store at one time.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Fairfax Fire Crew Member Tests Positive for COVID-19 — “A member of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual began feeling sick on March 18 and was tested for COVID-19 eight days later. This week the test came back as positive. The individual experienced mild symptoms and is recovering.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Local Virginia ABC Store Closing — “The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) will consolidate its retail operations in Northern Virginia, which continues to be one of the most impacted regions of the commonwealth during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.” Starting April 13, the store at 8150 Leesburg Pike Suite 110 will close. [Inside NoVa]
Guidelines for Vienna Public Hearings — “Town Council will meet, with members attending in-person and electronically, at 8 pm Monday, April 13… The April 13 meeting agenda includes two public hearings related to the fiscal year 2020-21 budget.” [Town of Vienna]
COVID-19 Business Survey — The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority has a survey that ends today at 5 p.m. that asks businesses about the coronavirus impacts. [Survey Monkey]
A Wind Advisory has been issued for Friday from 10 AM until 6 PM. Winds will be sustained around 20-25 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph possible. pic.twitter.com/KkY40uWkJb
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 10, 2020
Units on scene of house fire in the 2400 block of Cedar Lane in the Dunn Loring area. Small fire. Fire is out. All occupants safe. No reported injuries at this time. Majority of units returning to service. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/41TAXcFbax
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 9, 2020
StarNut Gourmet in McLean will be offering free coffee, breakfast and lunch this weekend to local first responders, healthcare workers and essential employees.
With the help of Tential IT, the eatery at 1445 Laughlin Ave has extended this offer to be from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, a press release said.
Though the dining room is closed, according to the press release, the coffee shop and eatery is offering curbside pickup, take out and delivery through UberEats.
People wishing to order off of the menu can call 703-749-9090. Items available include sandwiches, lattes, pastries, crepes and similar fare, according to StarNut’s website.
“StarNut Gourmet is a family-owned business established in 2002 as a Specialty Food Gift Store and an International Café,” the press release said. “Owners Hozaifa Almaleh and Samira Ardalan very much look forward to welcoming everyone back once it’s safe.”
Local pets are hanging out with their owners more as they follow Gov. Ralph Northam’s stay-at-home order.
To help provide some light-hearted content during the pandemic, Tysons Reporter recently asked readers to share us their photos of their furry companions.
Yesterday, we shared some of the many photos we’ve received from local residents of their pets. We’ll continue to highlight pet photos through Friday.
Several pet parents sent in pictures of their dogs and cats wearing everything from hats to bowties.
Check out the gallery above and come back tomorrow for more photos on our website.
Have a photo you want to submit? We’re still taking submissions. Tag or direct message us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or email us at [email protected].
The number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County continues to rapidly increase.
According to state data released this morning, the number of cases jumped from 570 yesterday (Wednesday) to 690 overnight in the Fairfax Health District.
The Fairfax Health District includes Fairfax County, the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and towns in the county. Five people have died due to the novel coronavirus in the county.
The Fairfax Health District continues to have the highest number of cases in Virginia. Overall, more than 33,000 people have been tested and nearly 4,042 cases have been confirmed statewide. So far, 109 people have died.
The county’s health department cannot provide more geographic information about cases beyond the county level due to privacy laws.
“We believe that all geographic areas of Fairfax County currently are at risk fo disease transmission,” the health department wrote in a statement.
Data via Virginia Department of Health
Editor’s note: Tysons Reporter will temporarily have “Morning Notes” every weekday instead of twice a week to accommodate more news.
Looking for Senior Store Hours? — Fairfax County launched a new interactive map that lets people find stores that have shopping hours dedicated to seniors to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus to elderly people. [Fairfax County]
Don’t Take Me Out to the Ball Game — “By this time of the early spring season, the area’s three Little League programs would have held opening-day ceremonies… None of that has occurred, because all activities in the Great Falls, McLean and Vienna Little League programs have been suspended until at least May 11 and likely longer.” [Inside NoVa]
Documenting Your Documents — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue shares tips for how people can get their medical information ready in case of an emergency. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Q&A With Local Restaurant — Northern Virginia Magazine’s new “Table for None” column focused on how a Falls Church Italian restaurant is weathering the COVID-19 pandemic. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Empty Merrifield Campus to Become Field Hospital — “Northam said on Wednesday the former ExxonMobil campus in Merrifield owned by Inova Health System will be one of three field hospital locations in Virginia as it faces a surge in coronavirus cases.” [Washington Business Journal]
Booze To-Go — “[Gov. Ralph Northam] announced during a news conference Wednesday that restaurants with a mixed-beverage license from the ABC can start selling mixed-beverages for takeout and delivery. That change will become effective Thursday at midnight. Restaurants previously were allowed to sell only wine and beer through takeout and delivery.” [Inside NoVa]
A Wind Advisory has been issued for northern and central MD, northern VA, and the northern/central VA Blue Ridge from 10 AM to 5 PM Thursday. Sustained winds of 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph are expected. pic.twitter.com/pC0XVkzb8r
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 9, 2020
Happy Hump Day! People around Tysons have some adorable furry friends keeping them company while they stay inside to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
Tysons Reporter received a ton of submissions after soliciting photos of pets, so we’re publishing some today, more tomorrow and the rest on Friday.
Several dog parents sent in pictures of their pups lounging around and getting fresh air outside.
We also got photo submissions of some feline friends — including one that has decided to be the Easter Bunny.
Check out the gallery above and come back tomorrow for more photos on our website. Have a photo you want to submit? We’re still taking submissions (note: horizontal photos are preferred).
Tag or direct message us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or email us at [email protected].
A father-son pair living in Tysons decided to start a podcast several weeks ago to document their social distancing experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sam Lee and his 7-year-old son Logan launched the podcast on March 22 and produce weekly episodes, according to Lee’s website. So far, there are three episodes available online. Each are roughly 20 minutes long.
The family had been avid podcast listeners before the pandemic started. Sam told Tysons Reporter that he wanted to understand how his son views the pandemic.
“I hope it better helps him articulate his thoughts, become more aware of his surroundings and to just help him communicate,” Sam said.
Sam also said that the podcasts are essentially just a digitized form of the radio, so it turned out to be a great way for him and his son to connect over a generational divide.
Sam, who has a 9-year old son as well, said he gave both kids the option to join the podcast, but only Logan really showed interest.
Episodes typically begin with a jazzy intro and walk through events unfolding globally, noting real-world events and information about COVID-19.
“We’ve all been affected by the COVID-19 situation,” Sam said. “You reel a little bit, but have to quickly adjust.”
Dubbed “the Logan Podcast,” Logan often responds to queries posed by his dad and shares his thoughts on adjustments to daily life.
In the third podcast episode, Logan talks about how his classroom interactions are different online from in-person instruction and how he misses the typical interaction with his peers.
Current listeners include local teachers and family neighbors, according to Sam.
For people interested in upcoming episodes, the podcast will be released every Sunday evening, according to the website.
Image courtesy Sam Lee
Editor’s note: Tysons Reporter will temporarily have “Morning Notes” every weekday instead of twice a week to accommodate more news.
Mental Health Services From FCPS — “Any FCPS parent may schedule a 30-minute phone consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker, for either themselves or their middle or high school student.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
COVID-19 Causes More Event Cancellations in Vienna — “The Town of Vienna has canceled all special events through June 30 and has extended limitations to Town facilities and modifications to some Town services until June 10… The Vienna Farmers Market tentatively plans to open Saturday, June 13.” [Town of Vienna]
Bus Changes Rolling In — “Effective Saturday, April 11, 2020, Fairfax County Department of Transportation will make temporary adjustments to Fairfax Connector bus service.” [Fairfax County]
Newest Spring Hill Stations Project Plans — “The latest plans include a 225-foot-tall building with 378K SF of office space and 20K SF of retail, two apartment towers reaching 270 feet and 215 feet, and a 60-foot-tall building with parking garage, retail and an expansive rooftop park. The 1.6-acre park, called the Galaxy Sports Deck, would include a turf field, two multipurpose courts and a children’s playground.” [Bisnow]
Stop Transporting Yard Waste — “Fairfax County residents are strongly discouraged from taking their yard waste to the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill. This will help the county to focus on collecting trash during the pandemic and encourage social distancing.” [Fairfax County]
Food Truck Startup Rolling in the Dough — “The Center for Innovative Technology… announced that CIT GAP Funds has invested in Tysons, Va.-based Curbside Kitchen, developer of a platform that manages and connects owners of commercial office and multi-family residential buildings with food truck vendors.” [Globe Newswire]
Patch Starts Small Business Guide — “To help local residents navigate what is open and closed in town during the coronavirus crisis, we’ve introduced a simple a small business guide. Businesses have provided their information.” [McLean Patch]
The number of unemployment claims in Fairfax County skyrocketed last month.
Claims jumped from a mere 145 claims the week of March 14 to 4,345 the following week, according to information from the Virginia Employment Commission. As of March 28, that number ballooned to 12,109 claims.
The latest numbers offer a glimpse into the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as thousands of county residents lose their jobs.
The county’s unemployment insurance claims data are similar to the statewide picture. The number of claims filed during the week ending on March 28 was 110,397 higher than the comparable 2019 week.
The Virginia Employment Commission says initial claims measure the clear economic impact of the COVID-19 virus.
Although many areas are reporting layoffs in service-related industries like accommodation and food services, the commission notes that there are indications that layoffs “are bordering to affect a wider range of industries.”
Map via Virginia Employment Commission
