NEWSLETTER

MAY 20, 2020

Neighbors, 

The Governor, local elected officials, and health experts in Northern Virginia continue to assess our region’s COVID-19 data to determine whether or not to extend current restrictions or begin Phase I of re-opening our economy. Please continue to help us limit the spread of COVID-19 by social distancing, staying at home as much as possible, and following sanitation guidelines. As a reminder, you can see COVID-19 data in Fairfax County here. 

Upcoming Tele-Town Hall

I will be hosting a Tele-Town Hall with Senator Scott Surovell on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30pm. We will provide an update from the 2020 legislative session and our state’s response to the pandemic. 

You can participate in the conversation with the following information: Dial-in (605) 472-5239 | Access Code 811044 | Submit questions ahead of time here. 

Updates

Below are COVID-19 and other updates from the federal government, Governor Northam, state agencies, and Fairfax County. As always, please let me know if you have any questions by calling (804) 698-1042 or emailing DelKTran@house.virginia.gov.

Best, Kathy

Updates from the Federal Government

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends healthcare providers report instances of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which is thought to be associated with COVID-19. Please see the CDC’s resource page here. 

  • Dr. Norman Oliver, Virginia’s State Health Commissioner, confirmed there has been one diagnosed case of MIS-C in Virginia. News outlets have reported that this case was in the Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax.

Updates from Governor Northam and State Agencies

Healthcare 

Testing 

  • This weekend, the Virginia Department of Health and the Fairfax County Health Department are hosting two community testing events. While priority will be given to those who are symptomatic, everyone can get tested, depending on availability of tests. Information on this weekend’s and future events are here. 

    • Saturday, May 23 from 10am-6pm at Annandale High School located at 4700 Medford Driven, Annandale, VA 22003

    • Sunday, May 24 from 10am-6ppm at Bailey’s Elementary School located at 6111 Knollwood Dr., Bailey’s Crossroads, VA 22041.

Contact Tracing 

  • The Governor announced that $58 million from the federal Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is being dedicated to ramp up our current contact tracing program, which includes hiring 200 communicable disease investigators and 1,000 contact tracers. You can apply here. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • The Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) is responsible for purchasing, tracking, and distributing the state’s supply of PPE. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, VEST has distributed throughout Virginia:

    • 790,000+ N-95 masks, 

    • 1.3+ million surgical masks, 

    • 3+ million gloves, 

    • 285,000+ gowns, 

    • 427,000+ face shields, and 

    • 24,000+ containers of hand sanitizer. 

  • VEST coordinates with local health districts and regional healthcare coalitions on PPE needs among urgent care facilities, freestanding clinics, free clinics, skilled nursing centers, hospice organizations, and other entities. 

  • While the state encourages healthcare providers to exhaust their private supplies before tapping into the public stockpile, it remains committed to making sure that all healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients have adequate PPE.

  • The Department of General Services has created a list of vendors who are selling PPE during this pandemic, which can be found here. 

  • In order to assist skilled nursing facilities, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending two shipments of PPE to skilled nursing facilities. Each shipment will include a week’s worth of supplies. 

Medicaid and Healthcare Coverage

  • Expanding Medicaid is one of the most consequential votes I have taken during my time in the Virginia House of Delegates. Since January 1, 2019, more than 421,000 Virginians who were previously uninsured now have access to healthcare. This includes about 53,000 Virginians who signed up since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

  • Medicaid plays an important role in treating Virginians for health conditions that can increase the risk of complications from COVID-19. For example, of the 421,000 newly enrolled, 60,000 people have received treatment for high blood pressure, 33,000 for diabetes, 14,000 for asthma, and 10,000 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I am proud to be able to help more Virginians get medical care. As I shared previously, you can check your eligibility and apply for Medicaid here. 

  • The Governor announced he is convening a workgroup to investigate ways to increase access to affordable and quality healthcare for all Virginians. In addition to Medicaid expansion, the workgroup will build on progress we made this past legislative session to reduce the cost of healthcare in Virginia by establishing a state insurance exchange and banning balanced or surprise billing. 

Substance Abuse Support

  • Localities across the Commonwealth have reported an increase in drug overdoses. If you, or someone you know, needs access to treatment, please contact the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board by calling 703-383-8500. 

Health Equity Town Hall

  • Tomorrow, May 21 at 7pm, Governor Northam’s Health Equity Work Group will have a town hall to discuss health equity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be viewed online at www.wric.com. 

June 2020 Elections 

  • Yesterday, many cities and towns across Virginia held elections. Given the pandemic, there were about 55,000 absentee ballots cast compared to fewer than 1,700 absentee ballots in May 2016. 

  • In the 42nd District, we will have a chance to vote in primary elections on June 23. Everyone is encouraged to consider voting absentee to help protect our public health. You must request an absentee ballot by June 16 at 5pm. You can learn how to apply online, in-person, by fax, and by mail here.

Spanish Interpretation of Press Conferences

  • Moving forward, the Governor’s press conferences will be simultaneously translated to Spanish and streamed on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Facebook page. 

Updates from Fairfax County

Re-Opening of Fairfax County Parks

  • The Fairfax County Park Authority is beginning a phased re-opening all 427 parks in Fairfax County by Saturday, May 23 for Memorial Day Weekend. (This will not include water parks and pools.) More information is below and the full announcement is here:

    • Visitors are asked to adhere to the social distancing guidelines set by Governor Northam and CDC. 

    • The following amenities will remain closed:

      • Restrooms and all portable restrooms

      • Dog parks

      • All playgrounds including Clemyjontri Park and Chessie’s Big Backyard

      • Nature centers, visitor centers, horticultural centers, and RECenters

      • Volleyball and basketball courts

      • Athletic fields

      • Water fountains will remain turned off

View my summary of the 2020 legislative session here.

View my previous e-newsletters here.

View my new COVID-19 resource page to see a summary of state actions, guidance, and resources here.