Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) updates that were previously posted are archived here. For the latest information and resources, please visit the Health Department Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and the County COVID-19 page.
703-267-3511
TTY 711
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.,
Director of Health
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) updates that were previously posted are archived here. For the latest information and resources, please visit the Health Department Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and the County COVID-19 page.
The Fairfax County Emergency Information Blog offers coronavirus disease updates. Select blog posts include:
Oct. 21 | Celebrating Halloween While Protecting Your Health
Oct. 18 | What You Need to Know About Forthcoming Expanded Vaccination Opportunities
Oct. 7 | Child-Sized Mask Donations Needed
Oct. 5 | Community Vaccination Center to Reopen in Tysons on Oct. 8
Sept 27 | Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Doses Widely Available in Fairfax Health District
Sept 21 | Highlights from Health Department’s COVID-19 Vaccination Update to Board of Supervisors
Sept 17 | Health Department to Deploy Mobile COVID-19 Testing Lab
Sept 16 | QR Codes Now Available to Digitally Verify COVID-19 Vaccination Status
Sept 15 | Health Department to Expedite Communications for Students Awaiting COVID 19 Contact Interviews
Sept 2 | Update on COVID-19 Investigations and Guidance for Parents of School-aged Children
Aug 24 | COVID-19 Vaccines Recommended When Pregnant, Breastfeeding and Trying to Get Pregnant
Aug 23 | FDA Grants Full Approval for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Aug 20 | Fairfax County Announces Staff Vaccination Requirement
Aug 19 | COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose FAQs
Aug 16 | Third Dose Vaccinations Now Available for Individuals Who Are Immunocompromised
Aug 12 | Health Department Now Accepting Requests for Vaccine Services
Aug 6 | Masks Required at County Facilities Starting Aug. 9
Aug 5 | COVID-19 Delta Variant FAQs
Aug 5 | COVID-19 Cases on the Rise; Immunocompromised Strongly Encouraged to Protect Health
Aug 3 | Fairfax County Now Recommends Indoor Masking to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
July 14 | Health Department, Fire and Rescue Partner on Homebound Vaccine Program
July 12 | Adolescents Ages 12-18 Urged to Get Vaccinated By July 19; FCPS to Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
July 9 | What You Need To Know About Heart Inflammation and COVID-19 Vaccines
July 8 | Funding Available for Tenants and Landlords Through Emergency Rental Assistance Program
July 2 | Slowing Vaccination Uptake, Rise of Variants May Impact Drop in COVID-19 Cases
July 2 | Vaccine Opportunities Available Through 4th of July Weekend; Vaccine Shuttle Service Ends
July 2 | 2021 Food Summit Highlights COVID-19 Impact on Food Equity
June 11 | Northern Virginia Honors the More Than 2,300 Local Lives Lost to COVID-19
June 10 | Government Center COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Now Offers Walk-in Hours
June 9 | Vaccine Equity Clinic on Route 1 in Alexandria Offers Free Transportation
June 4 | Health Department to Demobilize COVID-19 Testing Sites; Clinics to Offer Testing by Appointment
June 4 | Tysons Community Vaccination Center to Offer Evening Hours; Site Slated to Close June 26
June 3 | Lost Your COVID-19 Vaccination Card? Here’s How to Get a Copy of Your Record
May 27 | Memorial Day Weekend: Balancing Opportunities and Cautions Amid Declining COVID-19 Case Numbers
May 27 | As Pool Season Begins, Know the Latest COVID-19 Guidance (And Other Healthy Swimming Reminders)
May 25 | Updated COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard Now Live
May 25 | Vaccine Stories: A Fairfax Family’s COVID-19 Vaccination Decision
May 19 | Health Department and Fairfax County Public Schools to Host School-based COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
May 17 | Helping Households Stay Connected to the Internet During COVID-19
May 13 | COVID-19 Vaccine for 12- to 15-Year-Olds Is Now Available, Here Is What You Need To Know
May 7 | COVID-19 Vaccine and 12- to 15-Year-Old Children
May 6 | Hey Fairfax County, COVID-19 Vaccine Is Readily Available and Free, Here Is What You Need To Know
Apr. 30 | Make It Happen. Move Forward. New Northern Virginia COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Begins
Apr. 30 | Phase 2 Vaccine FAQs: Second Doses
Apr. 29 | Governor Updates Mask Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People to Align with CDC Changes
Apr. 24 | CDC and FDA Lift Pause on J&J Vaccine
Apr. 23 | Governor Updates COVID-19 Executive Order Restrictions
Apr. 22 | Phase 2 Vaccine FAQs: Finding Appointments in VaccineFinder and VAMS
Apr. 16 | Community Vaccination Center to Open in Tysons Area April 20
Apr. 13 | COVID-19 Call Center Updates
Apr. 13 | Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Will Not Be Administered Until Further Notice
Apr. 12 | Moving Toward Food Security: How to Get Help From and Donate to Local Food Pantries
Apr. 9 | Volunteers Needed for Inova Vaccination Center
Apr. 7 | The Volunteers Behind the Pandemic Response: Fairfax Medical Reserve Corps
Apr. 7 | Vaccine Registration Now Open for All of Phase 1c
Apr. 5 | Why COVID-19 Vaccines Are Good News for Local Businesses
Apr. 5 | Vaccine Registration Now Open for Some Frontline Essential Workers in Phase 1c
Apr. 1 | All Individuals Age 16+ to Be Eligible to Register for Vaccine by April 18
Mar. 31 | COVID-19-Related Funeral Cost Assistance Available from FEMA
Mar. 31 | What You Need to Know About Vaccination Locations in the Fairfax Health District
Mar. 30 | Registration Now Open for All of Phase 1b
Mar. 24 | Update on COVID-19 Testing Sites Available in the Fairfax Health District
Mar. 23 | COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Now Open for Public Transit Workers and Mail Carriers
Mar. 22 | Join the Health Department’s Team of Vaccinators
Mar. 18 | Contacting the Health Department About COVID-19
Mar. 18 | Don’t Fall Victim to These 6 COVID-19 Scams
Mar. 17 | Registration Now Open for Three More 1b Essential Worker Groups
Mar. 15 | COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Form Now Available in Spanish
Mar. 11 | What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Variants
Mar.9 | CDC Issues New Guidance for Fully-Vaccinated People
Mar. 5 | More Vaccine Registration FAQs: Supply Update, Choosing a Vaccine, State System and More
Mar. 2 | New Online Tool Available to Remove Yourself from COVID-19 Registration Waitlist
Mar. 1 | What You Need to Know About the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
Mar. 1 | Need Help Getting to Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment? View Several Transportation Options
Feb. 26 | What You Need to Know About Free Vaccine, Health Insurance and Admin Fees
Feb. 26 | Understanding the Dates on Your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
Feb. 26 | More FAQs About COVID-19 Vaccine Registration, Including Jan. 18 Progress
Feb. 24 | COVID-19 Vaccination Partners Expand in Fairfax Health District
Feb. 24 | Gov. Announces Changes to COVID-19 Executive Order Restrictions Effective Mar. 1
Feb. 19 | Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Vaccine Registration
Feb. 16 | What You Need to Know When You Get Vaccinated AND After You Get Vaccinated
Feb. 16 | COVID-19 Symptoms Can Last for Months for “Long Haulers”
Feb. 2 | Health Department Provides COVID-19 Vaccination Update to Board of Supervisors
Jan. 30 | Winter Weather Advisory Impacts Health Department Operations Sunday, Jan. 31
Jan. 29 | What You Need to Know About Limited Vaccine Supply
Jan. 28 | For Older Adults: Special Edition of Golden Gazette includes COVID-19 Vaccine Info
Jan. 22 | Older Adults and the COVID-19 Vaccine in Fairfax
Jan. 20 | COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions, Part 2
Jan. 15 | What You Need to Know if You Have Registered to Get a Vaccine Appointment
Jan. 15 | Process for Scheduling Vaccination Appointments at Health Department Clinics
Jan. 14 |Vaccination Registration Begins Jan. 18 for 65+ and People with Medical Conditions
Jan. 14 | Vaccine and Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions, Part 1
Jan. 14 | School Staff and Teacher Vaccinations to Begin Jan. 16
Jan. 8 | Vaccinations Begin Week of Jan. 11 for Eligible 1b Populations
Dec. 30 | What You Need to Know About the First COVID-19 Vaccinations in Fairfax County
Dec. 23 | Fairfax County Health Department Receives First Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccine
Dec. 21 |Cloth Face Mask Donations Exceed 2020 Goal Thanks to the Community
Dec. 21 | What You Need to Know About the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines
Dec. 18 | How COVID-19 Vaccines are Developed to be Safe and Effective
Dec. 18 | What to Expect When It’s Your Turn to Get Vaccinated
Dec. 10 | Gov. Northam Announces New Targeted Measures, Limits Social Gatherings to 10
Dec. 9 | Know the Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
Dec. 7 | 6 Ways to Manage Mental Health During COVID-19
Dec. 2 | A Closer Look at How COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Work
Dec. 2 | How to Keep COVID-19 Outside Your Home
Nov. 30 |Guidance for Funerals, Memorials and Dealing with Grief During COVID-19
Nov. 30 | COVID-19 Data Dashboard Now Includes Contact Tracing
Nov. 23 | Winter Holidays and COVID-19: Recommendations for Family Celebrations, Shopping and Entertainment
Nov. 18 | Five Things You Need to Know about COVID-19 Today
Nov. 13 | Governor Northam Announces New Statewide Measures to Contain COVID-19
Nov. 13 | Video: Update on COVID-19 in Our Community and Key Tips to Stay Healthy This Holiday Season
Nov. 13 | Don’t Bring Coronavirus Home for the Holidays: Plan Now for Safe Return from College
Nov. 13 | 6 Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccination Plans
Nov. 12 | Tips To Celebrate Diwali Safely on Nov. 14
Nov. 6 | Community Health Workers Part of Equitable Response During COVID-19 Pandemic
Nov. 5 | Four Things You Need to Know about COVID-19 Today
Nov. 2 | Guidelines for a Safe and Relaxing Thanksgiving During COVID-19
Oct. 23 | Teens and Young Adults Can Enroll in Free E-Cigarette Quit Program
Oct. 20 | How to Vote Safely During the Pandemic
Oct. 15 | 3 Things To Know about COVID-19 Symptoms in Children
Oct. 13 | Time and Teamwork are Key to Contact Tracing Work
Oct. 7 | How Outdoor Workers Can Protect Against COVID-19 Infographic: English | Spanish
Oct. 5 | Meet the Team Keeping Public Health Workers Safe During the Pandemic
Oct. 2 | Carla Paredes-Gómez Receives “Hero” Recognition by El Tiempo Latino English | Español
Oct. 2 | Equitable Access to COVID-19 Testing in the Fairfax Health District
Oct. 1 | Traditional Trick-or-Treating Not Recommended for Halloween; Safe Alternatives Available
Oct. 1 | COVID-19 County Partnership for Donations: Incarcerated Women Making Masks for Kids
Sept. 29 | Donations Needed to Support Nonprofits Who Help Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Sept. 28 | Virginia Department of Health Announces New Pandemic Metrics Dashboard
Sept. 28 | Suicide Prevention Awareness: Reach Out, Know the Warning Signs (Especially Amid a Pandemic)
Sept. 25 | Six Things to Know about the COVID-19 Response Today
Sept 21 | Powering Up a Healthy Plate Can Happen During the Virtual School Day With a Little Planning
Sept. 18 | Roll Up Your Sleeve Now to Keep Respiratory Illnesses Down
Sept. 17 | Sewing Center Volunteer Opportunities Available to Help Make Masks
Sept. 16 | What to Know if You or a Family Member Is Returning Home from a Campus COVID-19 Outbreak
Sept. 14 | People Fighting the Pandemic in Fairfax: Shakiba Kovacs, Community Health Worker
Sept. 14 | Free Fabric Available for Sewers Who Can Make and Donate Face Coverings
Sept. 9 | What to Do When an Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
Sept. 4 | Staying the Course to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Sept. 4 | Enjoy Labor Day Weekend – But Do So Safely
Sept. 1 | Face Coverings Work – But Not All Are Created Equal
Sept. 1 | What You Need to Know about Using Hand Sanitizer Correctly and Safely
August 31 | Vaping Raises Risk of COVID-19 Complications in Teenagers
August 28 | Travel in a Time of COVID-19: What You Need to Know
August 27 | 5 Things to Know about COVID-19 Testing
August 27 | Teletherapy and Mask Donation Enhance Speech & Hearing Program
August 27 | Managing Stress and Promoting Positive Mental Health During COVID-19 Quarantine
August 26 | Community Health Centers Provide Essential Care to Thousands of Residents
August 21 | What is Public Charge and What Does it Mean?
August 14 |When – and How – Can You Safely Visit Grandparents and Older Adults?
August 14 | Fairfax County’s New “Supporting Return to School” (SRS) Program Bolsters Virtual Learning
August 13 | Liaison Team Makes Critical Connections During COVID-19
August 13 | Escuche al Dr. René Najera discutir la presente pandemia de coronavirus
August 7 | Health Department Launches New Portal for Community Partners to Share COVID-19 Information
August 6 | Virginia’s New App Warns if You’ve Been Exposed to Someone With COVID
August 5 | New Fotonovela: COVID-19 Safety When You Share Your Home
July 31 | Q&A With Community Health Worker Who’s Helping to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
July 30 | 4 Ways You Can Help Keep COVID-19 Case Numbers Down
July 23 | Learn How Fairfax County Businesses Are Adapting During the Pandemic
July 22 | Cleaning Supplies and Children’s Face Coverings Donations Still Needed
July 21 | Tips for Cleaning and Disinfecting at Home during COVID-19
July 20 | Health Department Fit Test Team Helps Keep Health Care Workers Safe
July 17 | Meet a Health Department Contact Tracer: Susana
July 16 | Virginia Adopts Workplace Safety Standards to Protect Workers from COVID-19
July 15 | Contact Tracing: Answer the Call, Protect the Community
July 15 | Face Coverings Can Save Lives and Keep COVID-19 Case Numbers Down
July 14 | Fairfax County’s Neighbor to Neighbor Shopping Program Serves Its 100th Participant
July 14 | Staying Safe at an Event or Gathering During COVID-19
July 10 | Is It Safe to Go to the Pool or Beach?
July 10 | COVID-19 Supply Donations Still Needed to Help Our Community
July 9 | Several County Facilities to Provide In-Person Services in Phase Three
July 7 | Food Benefits for School-Age Children During the Pandemic
July 6 | Joseph Willard Health Center — Supporting the Fairfax Community During COVID-19
July 2 | Tips for a Safe July 4 Holiday
July 1 | 5 Things To Know about the County’s Response to the Coronavirus
July 1 | Leaving Home? Know the COVID-19 Risks Before You Go.
June 23 | Temporary Shelter Available During COVID-19
June 18 | Don’t Swim in Streams While Pools Are Closed During COVID-19
June 17 | 3 Steps to Stay Safe From COVID-19 If You Are 60+
June 15 | Fairfax Medical Reserve Corps — Providing Critical Assistance to the COVID-19 Response
June 12 | Hundreds of Volunteers Offer 22,000+ Hours of Help During COVID-19
June 8 | 5 Tips to Promote Positive Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
June 5 | Health Department Rapid Response Teams: Stopping the Spread in Our Most Vulnerable Communities.
June 5 | Beware of COVID-19 Contact Tracing and Government Employee Impersonation Scams
June 4 | Director of Epidemiology Explains What’s Next in COVID-19 Response
June 2 | Board of Supervisors Committee Meetings Today Address COVID-19
June 1 | Who to Contact About COVID-19 Issues
June 1 | You Can Now Drop Off Donated Face Coverings at County Police Stations
June 1 | Spring Hill Community Village Counters Isolation with Opportunities for Connection
May 29 | 6 Things to Know About Phase One That Begins Today
May 29 | Inside Health Department Contact Investigations (And What You Should Know If You’re Contacted)
May 27 | Face Coverings Now Required Inside Public Places in Virginia
May 27 | Fairfax County to Enter First Phase of Easing Public Health Restrictions on May 29
May 26 | Environmental Health Staff Conduct Virtual Inspections During COVID-19 Restrictions
May 21 | Epidemiologists Translate Data into Action During Pandemic
May 19 | Donations Needed: Cloth Face Coverings
May 15 | Testing for COVID-19 as We Move Toward Reopening
May 15 | VIDEO: Chairman McKay Discusses Phase One Reopening
May 14 | New Countywide Grocery Shopping and Pharmacy Pick-up Service for Older Adults
May 14 | Seven Steps to Protect Your Pets from COVID-19
May 12 | Herndon Harbor Adult Day Health Care Celebrates Mother’s Day from a Safe Distance
May 12 | Governor Extends Public Health Restrictions in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia Until May 29
May 11 | Tips for Preventing Tick and Mosquito Bites During COVID-19
May 7 | 3 Reasons Why COVID-19 Continues to be on the Upswing in the Fairfax Health District
May 8 | Behind the Scenes: Equipping Front Line Health Teams.
May 6 | Skyline Plaza Coordinator Says Don’t be Shy About Volunteerism
May 5 | Learn the Six Steps to Proper Handwashing on Hand Hygiene Day
May 1 | Fairfax County Health Department: 100 Days of COVID-19 Response
May 1 | What If I Contract COVID-19 and I’m Too Sick to Care for My Child?
April 30 | Village Drive Village Stays Connected During COVID-19
April 29 | Fairfax County Still Seeks Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donations
April 29 | Our Outreach Team is Working with Multicultural Communities During COVID-19
April 28 | Fairfax County Now Offers COVID-19 Text Messages in Spanish / El Condado Fairfax Ahora Ofrece Mensajes de Texto de COVID-19 en Español
April 28 | The Reassuring Voice We Need: Meet Public Health Nurse Shawn Harper
April 23 | What Apartment Residents and Building Owners Can Do to Limit the Spread of Coronavirus
April 21 | Herndon Village Network Answers the Call for Help During COVID-19 Pandemic
April 20 | Fighting COVID-19 on the Ground: The Call Center
April 14 | COVID-19 and Long-Term Care: How the Health Department is Helping and Responding
April 9 | Coronavirus Safety Tips for Employees and Companies
April 8 | COVID-19: Wellness Resources for You and Your Family
April 6 | COVID-19 and Kids: The Problem with Playdates
April 6 | Information on COVID-19 Case Reporting in the Fairfax Health District.
April 2 | Answers to Many Basic Needs Questions (Food, Utilities, Evictions) Can Be Found Online
April 1 | Making Home a Safer Place for Domestic Violence Survivors During Coronavirus Pandemic
March 27 | Explaining the Increase in Positive Cases; 4 Ways We Can Stop Coronavirus from Spreading Right Now
March 26 | Coronavirus (COVID-19): Health Care Options for the Uninsured
March 25 | Social Distancing, Self-Isolating and Quarantine: What Do These Terms Mean?
March 24 | Video: Coronavirus 101 Health Department Presentation — English and Spanish
March 20 | Mental Health — Take Care Both Physically and Emotionally During Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 18 | Video: What is a Contact Investigation for COVID-19?
March 17 | Video: Social Distancing and Other Health Tips
March 16 | 5 Tips to Help Your Neighborhood Prepare During This Coronavirus Time
March 15 | 4 Things to Know About Social Distancing
March 14 | Watch Out for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scams
Oct. 8 | Health Department Kicks Off New Program to Improve Health Literacy Within Communities of Color
Oct 5 | Community Vaccination Center (CVC) Reopens in Tysons on October 8
Feb. 5 | Help Wanted: Fairfax Health District is Hiring For Pandemic Response Efforts
Dec. 18 | Fairfax Health District Consolidates Services to One Clinic Site
Nov. 18 | Help Wanted: Fairfax Health District Hiring Weekend Contact Interviewers
Sept. 18 | Roll Up Your Sleeve Now to Keep Respiratory Illnesses Down
July 23 | School-Required Immunizations Remain Mandatory For School Enrollment
July 2 | Health Department Encourages Residents to Get Tested for COVID-19
June 2 | Do you need a COVID-19 test? There’s More Options Than Ever in Fairfax Health District
May 19 | VDH First Virginia Case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19 Reported
May 11 | Fairfax County Health Department Expands COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Apr. 19 | Healthcare Provider’s Role in COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
Apr. 15 | Continued Pause Recommended in Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
Dec. 9 | COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance
Oct. 15 | COVID-19 School/Daycare Guidance for Healthcare Providers
Oct. 5 | COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Intent
Sept. 15 | COVID-19 Laboratory Updates
July 6 | COVID-19 Healthcare Updates
March 25| COVID-19 Public Health Testing Guidance Update & Request Process
March 17 | COVID-19 Public Health Testing Guidance
March 12 | COVID-19 Commercial Testing Guidance
Feb. 28 | UPDATE: Expansion of Persons Under Investigation (PUI) Criteria for COVID-2019
The following were situational updates shared early in the COVID-19 emergency.
Virginia’s state and local public health leaders announced two presumptive positive cases of coronaviruses disease earlier today. The first individual is a Marine Base Corps Quantico resident who is at Fort Belvoir. The second individual is a resident of the City of Fairfax in their 80s who traveled on a similar Nile River cruise as other positive coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. See the press release for more information.
On March 8, 2020, Virginia’s state and local public health leaders provided a status update on the first two presumptive positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) in Virginia. See the recording.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve. Although most cases outside of China are travel-related, community spread of the virus is now being detected in a growing number of countries. At this time, person-to-person spread in the United States appears to be limited, but CDC recommends planning at all levels for the eventuality of community spread in the U.S.
CDC has issued a Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel notice for China and South Korea. A Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions notice has been issued for Japan, Iran and Italy and a watch Level 1 has been issued for Hong Kong. The CDC also recommends that all travelers reconsider cruise ship voyages to or within Asia. This is a rapidly evolving situation, so please see the CDC website for the most up-to-date travel information.
The World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak: COVID-19. Our website and other materials are being updated accordingly.
The Virginia Department of Health has received test results for the first of two Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the Northern Region of Virginia. The results from testing performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were negative, indicating that the individual does not have the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection. At this time, Virginia continues to have no confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV. Please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus for regular updates on PUIs, test results and other information about the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
January 27, 2020 | UPDATE: Virginia Department of Health Announces Two Patients Under Investigation Test Negative for Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
January 26, 2020 | Virginia Department of Health Announces Preparations and Activities Related to the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Outbreak
January 24, 2020 | Statement on Exchange Student Visit to Fairfax County from Yichang, China
