COVID-19

We are here to help you navigate these difficult times.

Important Links & Resources

Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Worldwide Tracking

Virginia Department of Health Tracking

Commonwealth of Virginia Important Updates & Resources

Loudoun County Updates & Resources

Prince William County Updates & Resources

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

What’s New This Week:

Governor Northam is confident that Virginia will meet President Biden’s goal of at least 70% of adults receiving a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by July 4. To date, more than 66% of adults in Virginia have already received their first dose, with more than 8 million doses of vaccine administered so far in Virginia and more than 43% of the entire population fully vaccinated (more than half of all those 12 and older). The Virginia Vaccination Summary Dashboard now shows the combined totals for doses administered by all providers in Virginia, and also shows the percent of the adult population and entire population.
As a result of rising vaccinations and falling COVID-19 rates, state-mandated social distancing and capacity restrictions will be lifted at midnight tonight(the morning of May 28), when Executive Order 79 will replace Executive Order 72. Businesses retain the ability to require masks in their establishments if they choose to, and individuals are still permitted to wear masks if they choose to. Anyone who is not yet vaccinated should wear masks in all settings. Masks are still required in K-12 settings, given low rates of vaccination among children. The federal government continues to require that masks be worn when using public transportation, including on buses, trains, and airplanes.
Governor Northam led Virginians to participate in the “It’s Our Shot, Virginia: Statewide Day of Action” on May 18, through such activities as signing up to be a COVID Community Ambassador and sharing COVID-19 updates and materials from top experts and sources; adding a Facebook profile photo fram e, add ing a virtual meeting backdrop; or recording a short video about choosing to get vaccinated and using the hashtag #VaccinateVirginia. This effort resulted in dozens of community events, hundreds of new COVID Community Ambassadors, thousands of online engagements, and approximately 15,000 new vaccinations.
Virginia's mobile vaccination units support local health department efforts across the state. These units are used primarily in rural, underserved areas to help fill access gaps, and offer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Site selection is based on data-driven requests by local health districts. Mobile units are ADA-accessible and offer language services, and complement existing mobile capabilities currently in use by local health districts and the Virginia National Guard.
On May 18, Governor Northam launched the nation’s first public statewide health equity dashboards, which provide key data to inform efforts to mitigate long-standing health inequities, following the General Assembly's finding that racism is a public health emergency in the Commonwealth. The Equity in Action dashboard is a snapshot of the progress Virginia has made across its COVID-19 response and recovery and other initiatives that advance the equitable distribution of resources and services, and the Equity at a Glance dashboard is a transparent assessment of social determinants of health and other factors contributing to health equity.

Additional Background:

Virginia is vaccinating everyone 12 or older, with no pre-registration required and walk-in service at most clinics. The simple website at vaccinate.virginia.gov shows nearby clinics, and the statewide call center at 877-VAX-IN-VA provides assistance in more than 100 languages (including video chat in American Sign Language).
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a vaccine confidence campaign entitled “We Can Do This.” Public education shareables and other materials are available to partners to help promote public confidence.
With ample supply available statewide, it is no longer necessary for a patient to receive their second doses of a two-dose vaccine from the same provider that administered the first dose, as long as both doses are of the same vaccine brand. Anyone who received a first dose and does not yet have an appointment for the second dose should visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA to make an appointment at any clinic offering the same brand, and should bring their first dose vaccination record with them to the second dose clinic. The two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should be given 21 days apart, and the two doses of Moderna vaccine 28 days apart. If that is not possible, the second dose for each vaccine may be scheduled up to 42 days after the first dose.

If you or someone you know is feeling depressed or suicidal, please call one of the following numbers:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255; Press 1

If you think you have been exposed

Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are exhibiting symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice and to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath

Practice Social Distancing

Social distancing can help slow down the outbreak by reducing the chance of infection among high-risk populations.
The CDC defines social distancing as it applies to COVID-19 as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible."
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash

COVID-19 Testing Available in Northern Virginia

CVS Health has opened 39 new testing sites at drive-thru locations across the Commonwealth. Find a location near you by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2zXLtRk
You can find additional testing sites near you here.

Resources for Residents

Food Banks

For those facing food insecurity, please use this link to find a food bank near you: https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/va-ashburn
If you would like to make donations to a local food bank, please call first to maximize “social distancing” when making your donation.

Utilities

Verizon announced they will waive late fees and keep customers connected to their services if they are negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. You can find their announcement here.
Cox Communications will waive late fees and keep customers connected as well as expand their low-cost services for students and families in need during the coronavirus pandemic. You can find their update here.

Rental Rights

Virginia has launched the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development using $50 million in federal CARES Act funds. Learn more here.
Visit StayHomeVirginia.com for more information and resources on tenant rights.
If you are facing an eviction the Virginia Poverty Law Center is asking you to reach out to their Eviction Legal Helpline: 1-833 NoEVICT. The Helpline provides free advice from an attorney to any tenant in the state facing eviction, regardless of the tenant's location or household income. You can find other COVID-19 related legal rights information on the Virginia Poverty Law Center website here.

Employment

The Virginia Employment Commission will waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive unemployment insurance benefits as soon as possible. Additionally, the eligibility for unemployment benefits has been expanded, and workers who meet the following criteria will be considered for support:
- Workers affected because their employer needs to temporarily slow or cease operations due to COVID-19.
- Workers who have been issued a notice to self-quarantine by a medical or public health official and is not receiving paid sick or medical leave from their employer.
- Workers who must stay home to care for an ill family member and are not receiving paid family medical leave from their employer.

For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions guide for workers that have been temporarily laid off or discharged during this public health crisis.

Resources for Small Businesses

Small Business Loans

As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 health pandemic, Loudoun Economic Development is providing support, programming and education to assist our business. Read more here: https://biz.loudoun.gov/COVID19/
The Rebuild VA Grant Fund is a program to help small businesses and non-profits whose normal operations were disrupted by COVID-19, including restaurants, brick and mortar retail, exercise and fitness facilities, personal care and personal grooming services, entertainment and public amusement establishments, and campgrounds. Expanded business sectors now eligible to apply, include small hotels and bed and breakfast lodging facilities along with the film industry companies supporting production in the Commonwealth. Businesses and non-profits that are approved for a Rebuild VA grant may receive up to 3 times their average monthly eligible expenses up to a maximum of $10,000. You can find more information here.

For any other information or to reach Suhas, email Suhas at delssubramanyam@house.virginia.gov

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