NEWSLETTER

MAY 4, 2020

Neighbors,

Today is the start of Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to thank all of our educators and staff for everything you do to inspire and nurture our kids. Particularly, during this pandemic, you have moved into virtual learning and other ways to support our communities. I am grateful for all you do.

Next Tele-Town Hall is this Wednesday, 5/6

My next Tele-Town Hall will be this Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30pm. Join Delegates Mark Sickles, Paul Krizek, Vivian Watts, and me for legislative updates and information regarding our state’s response to COVID-19.

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

Updates

Below are updates from the Federal Government, Governor Northam, State Agencies, and Fairfax County. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. 

Best, Kathy

Updates from the Federal Government

  • The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published regulations on May 1 with new data reporting requirements for long term care facilities, including those in Virginia. 

  • These facilities must now report to HHS:

    • Suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases for residents and staff 

    • Total deaths of residents and staff from COVID-19

    • Available PPE for residents and staff

    • Ventilator capacity at the location

    • Total resident bed capacity and census

    • Access to testing for the location

    • Staffing shortages

  • HHS will make this data available to the public and will submit its first report to CDC by May 8.

  • Facilities must inform residents and their families of: 

    • Suspected cases by a certain time and provide cumulative updates weekly

    • Information about mitigating actions they will take to reduce transmission of COVID-19 cases

    • Changes to normal operations, such as visiting procedures

  • Facilities cannot share personally identifiable information. More information is available here.

Updates from Governor Northam and State Agencies

Easing Restrictions and Re-Opening Virginia’s Economy

Easing Business Restrictions 

  • The Governor announced he is extending to May 14 Executive Order (EO) 53, which prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people, mandates the closure of certain businesses, and requires social distancing and enhanced sanitization from those businesses that remain open. 

    • The Governor made this decision based on available data regarding the spread of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in Virginia and will make a further decision about whether or not to continue to extend EO 53.

  • When EO 53 is lifted, the Governor will amend EO 55, which is a temporary stay at home order, to focus on “safer at home” recommendations. EO 53 is available here and EO 55 is here. 

Planned Phases to Re-Open Virginia’s Economy

  • Governor Northam outlined re-opening Virginia’s economy in 3 phases, with a focus on ensuring the safety of workers and customers. More information below and here.

  • Phase I - Currently, the Governor expects Virginia to begin Phase I on May 15, unless COVID-19 data indicates otherwise, and that we would be in this phase for up to 3 weeks. In this phase:

    • Some businesses will be allowed to re-open with strict safety restrictions. 

    • Continued:

      • Social distancing.

      • Teleworking recommendations. 

      • Recommendation to wear face coverings in public.

  • Phase II - To move to this phase, data needs to show that Virginia is continuing on a downward trajectory of positive COVID-19 tests and hospitalizations. In addition, we need to maintain a statewide stable capacity of hospital beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), testing, and contact tracing. Phase II would include:

    • “Stay-at-home” recommendations for vulnerable populations.

    • No social gatherings of more than 50 individuals.

    • Continued:

      • Social distancing.

      • Teleworking.

      • Recommendations for face covering in public.

    • Further easing of business limitations.

  • Phase III - To enter this phase, Governor Northam indicates data must demonstrate there is no evidence of a COVID-19 rebound for a sustained period of time. Phase III would include:

    • Recommending “safer at home” for vulnerable populations.

    • Removing the ban on social gatherings.

    • Removing capacity limits on establishments.

    • Continuing heightened cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Healthcare Updates

Contact Tracing

  • Virginia will hire 1,000 public health workers for contact tracing to help identify those individuals who have been in contact with someone who has a new positive COVID-19 test. 

Testing 

  • Virginia’s overall testing capacity continues to increase. The Governor announced that this past weekend, Virginia was able to conduct about 6,000 tests per day. 

  • The Virginia Department of Health is working with the Virginia National Guard to expand the state’s “Point Prevalence Pilot” to test in one day all of the residents and staff for COVID-19 at a congregate setting. The pilot aims to reach as many long term care facilities, correctional facilities, local jails and state correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and other congregate settings as possible. Locations will be prioritized based on urgency and epidemiological risk.

Support for Workers

  • As I have previously shared, the federal CARES Act established the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which offers new unemployment benefits for self-employed, gig workers, independent contractors, and other workers. So far, about 65,000 Virginians have qualified for PUA and the Virginia Employment Commission expects to issue the first PUA benefits starting tomorrow, May 5. 

Fairfax County Updates

CARES Act Funding

  • Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay announced that Fairfax County has received $200 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relied, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This funding is primarily for costs related to the county’s COVID-19 response and will cover costs including, but not limited to: purchase of PPE for frontline workers, increase of staffing in the Fairfax County Health Department, and support for the county’s homeless population. More information is here.

Farmers Markets and Community Gardens

  • Fairfax County opened all community gardens on April 29. Gardeners have received notification and guidelines regarding through email.

  • Select Farmers Markets will begin to open starting on May 9. You can get information about which locations will be open and guidelines for shoppers here. 

  • All other Fairfax County Park Authority amenities like visitors centers and restrooms remain closed. 

View my summary of the 2020 legislative session here.

View my e-newsletters here.

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