Coronavirus: Manassas News And Updates In Time Of Crisis

Mark Hand
Updated ·7 min read

MANASSAS, VA —The new coronavirus outbreak in Virginia and across the nation is having vast impacts in the Manassas area, including the closure of schools and many businesses.

The number of cases of the illness caused by the virus, known as COVID-19, continue to rise and additional measures and closures continue to be announced. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday declared a stay-at-home order.

The number of positive cases of the new coronavirus reached 2,012 in Virginia on Friday, with deaths now standing at 46, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The 2,012 positive cases of the coronavirus, includes 312 hospitalizations, up from 246 hospitalizations on Thursday.

Prince William County has reported 131 positive cases of the coronavirus as of Friday. The City of Manassas reported 13 cases and Manassas Park two cases. Residents with questions about the coronavirus should call the Prince William Health District at 703-872-7759.

Here's the latest news and updates for the Manassas area:

AID AND RECOVERY
The Prince William County Department of Economic Development and the Office of Tourism are seeking businesses that can support the aid and recovery of the community from the coronavirus. Suggested support services include hotel lodging space; individually packaged meals prepared in commercial kitchen; bulk mass food orders; personal protective equipment (masks, gowns, gloves); and medical supplies (i.e. ventilators). MORE

SCHOOLS
All schools in Virginia are closed through the rest of the academic year in response to the coronavirus outbreak. MORE

Prince William Public Schools is serving meals to students and to parents/guardians if students are not present. Staff will request parents or guardians produce proof of student enrollment in the form of student ID, report card, or other official school documentation with the child’s name printed on the document and provide names of non-school age or children not enrolled in school, who are 18 years old and under.

Meals, both packaged breakfast and lunch, are distributed at the same time from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Here the distribution locations:

Elementary Schools:

  • Dale City

  • Fitzgerald

  • John D. Jenkins

  • Mullen

  • Tyler

  • Coles

  • Yorkshire

Middle Schools:

  • Beville

  • Graham Park

  • Hampton

  • Fred Lynn

  • Lake Ridge

  • Marsteller

  • Parkside

  • Potomac

  • Rippon

  • Stonewall

  • Woodbridge

High Schools:

  • Forest Park

The to-go meals are served at the front door of each school location. MORE

BUSINESSES
The City of Manassas has temporarily designated several parking spaces in the historic downtown area as 15-minute parking areas to facilitate pickup and delivery options during the coronavirus crisis. The designated on-street parking spaces are located along Battle and Main streets between Church Street and the railroad tracks.

This temporary designation was requested by several downtown businesses impacted by the governor's decision to close restaurants except for carryout and delivery service. MORE

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The Old Town Whiskey Club is holding a fundraising campaign called Old Town Strong to help restaurant and bar employees who work in downtown Manassas try to make ends meet during the coronavirus crisis. The public can purchase t-shirts and hoodies as part of the campaign. The merchandise, with "Old Town Strong" on the front, can be ordered in several different styles. The prices range from $24.99 for a t-shirt and $39.99 for a pullover hoodie. MORE

The Manassas Patch has created a simple local directory page that business owners can quickly and easily update with their status. Business owners can update their information in a form at the bottom of the article. Click here. Patch readers can find the local directory here. MORE

HOSPITALS
Recent changes at Novant Health UVA Health System facilities include the following:

  • Hospital visitor restrictions and screenings are in place. Visitation for hospital patients has been restricted, except for laboring mothers and patients who are minors (under age 18).

  • Patients have been advised to come to clinics alone, if possible. If visitors are required, only one visitor may accompany each patient in the exam room. Visitors must be healthy and age 13 or older.

  • Patients with symptoms (fever, cough and shortness of breath) have been asked to call their provider before visiting a clinic. Providers will set up a care plan to keep others from getting infected/exposed.

  • All non-urgent elective surgeries and procedures have been suspended. However, emergency and essential services continue uninterrupted.

  • Novant Health UVA Health System team members who normally work in areas that have been impacted by the reduction of in-person visits and elective procedures are being redeployed to areas needing additional help to meet the needs of patients.

  • Additional licensed bed capacity has been requested for Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center, Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center and Novant Health UVA Health System Culpeper Medical Center to respond to the expected patient surge.

  • The Prince William Medical Center Outpatient Infusion Center has been temporarily relocated within the hospital to add patient care space, ensure direct access to the infusion center and limit foot traffic.

  • Obstetric and gynecologic patients will be temporarily diverted from Haymarket Medical Center to Prince William Medical Center, effective April 6. This will minimize co-mingling of obstetric patients with other patients and help keep mom and baby as healthy as possible during their stay. It will also increase access to critical care programs, including a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

  • Novant Health UVA Health System team members have readied triage tents outside the health system’s three emergency departments to prepare for an increase in patient volumes. The tents can be used for potential emergency department overflow, if needed.

  • NovantHealthUVA.org/coronavirus has added information to stay up to date on COVID-19 and manage medical care through Novant Health UVA Health System. The site also features a virtual coronavirus screening tool that gives recommendations for care.

  • Novant Health UVA Health System is providing virtual options to care for patients at home. Patients can connect with their provider through online services to receive minor diagnoses, prescriptions and professional advice. Patients seeking care at Novant Health UVA Health System hospitals can request a video visit or e-visit through MyChart. Patients that have had care at Culpeper Medical Center are encouraged to sign up for MyHealthConnection or call their provider’s office to discuss virtual options that may be available.

GOVERNMENT
The City of Manassas has closed all city government buildings to the public to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Residents may not enter city buildings but can access Manassas government services online at www.manassascity.org for information and to pay bills and complete city forms.

During the coronavirus crisis, Manassas will not be conducting utility shut-offs. Bill payments should be made online, if possible. Trash and recycling will continue to be collected on a regular basis. MORE

TRASH AND RECYCLING
Curbside pickup of trash and recycling is still on schedule in the City of Manassas. However, the following services have been paused until further notice:

  • Bulk waste/large item collections

  • Television and computer monitor collections

  • Courtesy truck rentals

  • Household hazardous waste, electronic and dhredding drop-off events

FOOD PANTRIES
Food assistance is available in Manassas and across Prince William County. Churches and nonprofit groups are providing meals to residents during the coronavirus crisis. MORE

COURTS
The Clerk of Circuit Court of Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park announced Friday that jury duty has been canceled for Monday, April 6, Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8. For April 6 jury members, their next jury duty date is Monday, April 13. For April 7 jury members, their next jury duty date is Tuesday, April 14. For April 8 jury members, their next jury duty date is Wednesday, April 15. Contact 703-792-6047 or circuitcourt@pwcgov.org for more information.

The Prince William County General District Court has suspended all traffic, criminal, and civil court dockets through April 26. The clerks’ offices are open with limited staff to address essential case processing only, which includes arraignments, bond motions, and protective orders. All cases that were scheduled for the time period noted will be continued.

ANIMAL SHELTER
The Prince William County Animal Shelter is open to the public by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 703-792-6465 or email animalshelter@pwcgov.org. MORE

This article originally appeared on the Manassas Patch