Vienna Coronavirus Updates: Health Guidance, Closings, Election
This article originally appeared on the Vienna Patch
VIENNA, VA — The Fairfax County Health Department has indicated there are cases of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, in Vienna. Town of Vienna spokesperson Lynne Coan says the town was informed it has cases, but no numbers were provided. As the number of cases continues to climb with increased testing, the Fairfax County Health Department is updating the total number of cases but isn't providing details on new cases.
As of Friday, 124 cases were reported in the Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church City. The county's first death, announced on March 21, involved a hospitalized man in his 60s.
The Fairfax County Health Department urges residents to follow four measures to address increasing cases: ill individuals should isolate themselves at home, close contacts with COVID-19 cases should self-quarantine for 14 days, every person should stay six feet away from others, and everyone should wash hands frequently.
According to the health department, testing capacity has increased in the region due to commercial laboratories starting to test, but challenges of limited capacity continue. Patients experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough and shortness of breath) should call their doctor, who will decide whether to order a test. The health department has more guidance its testing information page.
Inova Health System has opened a respiratory health clinic not far from Vienna at Inova Urgent Care Tysons as well as Inova Urgent Care Dulles South and Inova Urgent Care North Arlington. The clinics are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to evaluate patients and collect specimens for testing, but patients should contact a doctor before visiting a clinic.
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The COVID-19 outbreak has prompted numerous closures in the Town of Vienna. Town Hall and other town government facilities are closed to the public and available by appointment. Town government operations and essential services continue. Residents are asked to conduct business online or by phone when possible. An information kiosk and drop box is available at the front of Town Hall.
Fairfax County government closed senior centers, adult day health care centers, community centers and libraries. Its remaining facilities will close to the public at 5 p.m. Friday, March 27.
The Vienna Police Department is taking reports for minor and nonviolent crime by phone, but a person can request an officer to respond. The police department temporarily suspended low-priority services, including ride alongs, PIO public engagements, VIN verifications and child safety seat installations.
The Vienna Community Center is closed through April 12, but staff are available by phone and email. Town of Vienna events as well as programming, rentals, open gym and drop-in activities, spring break camps, and teen center activities are canceled through April 12. Canceled events include the Family Fishing Rodeo, Vienna Photo Show, Prom Dress Give-Away, Old-Fashioned Egg Roll, Flashlight Egg Hunt, and Town Clean-Up Day. In addition, the Freeman Store and Museum is closed through April 14. The town anticipates additional cancellations could be announced. Updates will likely be shared in early April.
Parks are open, but field permits are canceled through April 12 and bathrooms are closed. Town playgrounds and courts are closed. The Fairfax County Park Authority closed its parks, but trails remain open for individual use.
Gov. Ralph Northam's executive order closed K-12 schools through the remainder of the academic year. Fairfax County Public Schools is preparing to kick off distance learning for all students on April 14. More information can be found on the school district's distance learning plan page. FCPS continues to provide free meal distribution sites.
The governor's executive order also banned gatherings of more than 10 people and closed non-essential recreation and entertainment businesses at 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.
Restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, farmers markets, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries and tasting rooms can operate with takeout and delivery only. Dining and congregation areas are not allowed. The Vienna Business Association has Facebook group for businesses to share how they're operating during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Town of Vienna's May 5 election is moving forward with the position of mayor and three council seats up for grabs, but Virginia Department of Elections is encouraging absentee voting. Town of Vienna voters are permitted to select "2A My disability or illness" as a reason to vote absentee in the May election due to the coronavirus outbreak. The deadline to request an absentee ballot for May elections is 5 p.m. on April 28. Find more information from the Fairfax County Office of Elections.
