Falls Church Coronavirus Updates: City Employee Tests Positive

FALLS CHURCH, VA — As cases of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, continue to rise in the region and the U.S., the City of Falls Church announced one employee tested positive. Two cases involving residents of The Kensington Falls Church assisted living facility were previously announced. The city is no longer announcing cases in its jurisdiction, except when a public health concern like potential exposure.

"Based on the results of the contact investigation for this case, it was determined by the Fairfax Health Department that there was not a public health reason to report out the details of this case to the public," reads a city statement about the employee's positive testing result. "Going forward, we will report out on City employee or City resident cases only when there is a health concern to the public."

The city plans to inform residents if a case presents a risk of exposure at a certain location. The city was notified about a case connected to Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey's Crossroads. Churchgoers who attended services on March 15 to self-quarantine at home for 14 days. The health department investigates and reaches out to close contacts of confirmed cases.

The city says its policy mirrors the one at the Fairfax County Health Department, which covers the city. The Fairfax County Health Department is no longer reporting case summaries due to increased reporting of cases from public and commercial laboratories. The Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County, Falls Church City and Fairfax City, reported 80 cases as of Thursday. Last weekend, the local health department reported the death of a hospitalized Fairfax County man in his 60s, the first death related to coronavirus in Northern Virginia.

Among the health district's 80 cases, 38 involve individuals 18 to 49 years old, 19 involve individuals 50 to 64 years old and 20 involve individuals 65 and over. There are no cases involving people 17 or under.

With older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions at higher risk for severe illness, at least two Falls Church groups are stepping up to help. The Falls Church Area COVID-19 Aid and Falls Church Community help during covid-19 Facebook groups aim to connect volunteers with people needing grocery shopping and other tasks completed.

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Falls Church as they happen. Sign up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

The Fairfax County Health Department does not conduct COVID-19 testing; patients should contact their doctor to determine if they should be tested. According to the health department's testing information page, testing has been a challenge due to shortages of personal protective equipment across the U.S. and limited supplies to collect specimens for testing. A doctor may opt not to test a person due to lack of materials for testing. The Fairfax County Health Department says new testing capability from commercial laboratories gives doctors "wider latitude to order testing."

Northern Virginia has a few new options with the openings of Inova Health System's three respiratory health clinics on Wednesday, March 25. The clinics, open at Inova Urgent Care Dulles South, Inova Urgent Care North Arlington and Inova Urgent Care Tysons, offer patient evaluations and collection of specimens for testing daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Patients must contact their doctor for an evaluation before visiting a respiratory health clinic.

Certain Falls Church businesses are allowed to operate under an executive order from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 23. The following businesses may operate with take-out and delivery only: restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, farmers markets, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries and tasting rooms. Dining and congregation areas are not allowed.

The city announced the Falls Church Farmers Market will return on Saturday, March 28 and must follow state guidelines. The farmers market will be open Saturdays for preordered take-out only, and browsing will not be allowed. Customers should buy items in advance online or by phone. Only 10 customers will be allowed at a time, and a 6-foot distance from others must be maintained. Only one person from each family can attend; families should not bring children, dogs or other animals. Hand sanitizer will be available, but customers are encouraged to bring disinfecting wipes and sanitizer.

Ordering options are available at www.fallschurchva.gov/547/Farmers-Market-To-Go.

The governor's executive order also closed banned gatherings of more than 10 people and closed non-essential recreation and entertainment businesses has to close by the end of Tuesday, March 24. That closure order applies to theaters, performing arts centers, museums, concert venues, fitness centers, recreation centers, arcades, trampoline parks and more. See the full list in the executive order.

Businesses considered essential can continue operating with regular hours. This includes grocery stores; pharmacies; medical retailers; retailers selling communications technology; automotive parts retailers; automotive repair facilities; home improvement retailers; beer, wine and liquor stores; banks; pet stores; laundromats; dry cleaners and other essential businesses.

The City of Falls Church has a list of restaurant options and grocery store hours.

K-12 schools are closed through the remainder of the academic year under an executive order from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan overviewed plans for distance learning in his latest letter to families. Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are cancelled, and the Virginia Department of Education seeks a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education.

The COVID-19 outbreak has also prompted various operating changes to city government. City Hall is open with limited services from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including building permits, Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer Office. The Falls Church Community Center and Mary Riley Styles Public Library are closed.

Falls Church Combined Courts are operating from the Arlington County Courthouse, open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Arlington County and City of Falls Church General District Court postponed all non-jailable traffic cases through March 31, while criminal trials and preliminary hearings are now status hearings. Arraignments and bond motions will be heard.

The Arlington County and City of Falls Church Circuit Court postponed all jury trials and released witnesses from subpoenas through March 31. Other hearings and sentencing dockets are postponed. Arraignments and bond motions will be heard.

The city's curbside, trash, recycling and yard waste collections continue on Wednesdays, but curbside bulk item pickup is temporarily suspended.

All 14 city parks are closed until further notice. City fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and the skate park are closed to groups of 10 or more people. Playgrounds are closed. The W&OD Trail is open, but check for updates from Nova Parks.

The city is limiting non-essential meetings and events. Parks and recreation events are cancelled through at least April 12, as well as the Easter Egg Hunt on April 13. Check the city calendar for cancellations.

SEE ALSO: Virginia Coronavirus Updates: Things To Know For Week Of March 22