Jan. 12, 2022
Neighbors,
II wish I had better news but the Omicron variant surge continues to impact our community in many ways. I have heard from several people who despite being vaccinated and getting a booster are testing positive and having some symptoms – some folks are lucky and have mild or no symptoms, but not everyone. This variant is also causing staff shortages at county facilities (see more details below), public transportation, stores and many workplaces. Please follow our Health Department's guidance and wear a mask when you are away from home and indoors, and stay home if you are not feeling well. This variant is very contagious and we need to protect our vulnerable neighbors, as well as our young children who cannot get vaccinated.
Additional updates:
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This Friday, Jan. 14, the Fairfax County Health Department in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health is scheduled to announce details on the opening of a new Community Testing Center, which will begin taking appointments for Saturday, Jan. 15. Hours of operation will be Saturdays through Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled through the Virginia Department of Health's VASE+ Testing Appointment Scheduling Engine. Look for the announcement on my Twitter and Facebook pages, as well as @FairfaxHealth.
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There is some good news on testing. The White House announced this week that insurance companies and group health plans will be required to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests. That means that if you have private health coverage, you can get free tests beginning Jan. 15. You are encouraged to contact your insurance company for more details. Learn more.
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On Monday, Jan. 10, Governor Northam issued a limited 30-day emergency order to expand the number of available hospital beds, increase staffing capacity at hospitals and nursing homes, and allow public health agencies greater flexibility in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
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Walk-in service resumed today at Health Department vaccine clinics at the Fairfax County Government Center and the Hyland Government Center. These sites are open for walk-ins Monday through Fridays. Appointments will still be required on Saturdays. Learn more.
Information changes quickly on COVID and the county's response, but be assured that my staff and I remain committed to providing you with the latest updates. Please stay safe while we get through this latest surge. If you have questions, please email my office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Respectfully,
Walter
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COVID-19 Update (Jan. 12) |
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There are two types of testing available for COVID-19. These tests can detect either the virus that causes COVID-19, or antibodies that your body makes after getting COVID-19 or after getting vaccinated. Learn more about the types of tests available:
Virginia Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Weekly COVID-19 Case/Vaccine Information Chart:
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Data resources:
Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District
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Daily reported case information for the Fairfax Health District: here
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Daily reported case information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia: here
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County Facilities Reduce Hours |
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Due to the current surge in COVID cases and staff shortages, the Fairfax County Public Library and the county's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) recently announced reduced hours.
Library
Library branch hours will be modified Jan. 16 to April 1:
- Regional libraries will be open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Community libraries will be open Tuesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
NCS Community, Senior and Teen Centers
- Teen Drop-in sites are closed until Jan. 28.
Changes Through Feb. 28:
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Senior Center hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; programs and activities are available from 9 a.m.to 2:30 p.m.
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Community Center hours are 9 a.m.to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday; closed Saturdays.
- Reston Teen Center hours are 11 a.m.to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday; closed Saturdays.
- South County Teen Center hours are 9 a.m.to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday; closed Saturdays.
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Land Use and Transportation |
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Airport Noise Policy Open Houses Jan. 27 and 29
On July 28, 2020, the Board of Supervisors authorized a Comprehensive Plan amendment to consider locating residential uses between the 60 and 65 DNL airport noise contours with commitments to noise mitigation measures, notification requirements and construction techniques. DNL is the day-night average sound level, which is the standard noise metric used for FAA studies of aviation noise exposure. Residents can review the county's issues paper providing background information regarding aircraft operations and aircraft noise in Fairfax County. For more information and to provide feedback, Planning Division staff will be holding two virtual community open houses:
Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Meetings
Information on upcoming Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force meetings is below. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. Meeting details and agendas will be found here. You can watch live streams of the meetings on YouTube Live, as well as the video archive of all past task force meetings.
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Tuesday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 2334 748 2436.
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Monday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 2347 590 3760.
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Monday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 2330 735 5445.
Reston Planning & Zoning Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.
The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use Access Code: 2337 084 2106. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. More information.
Hunter Mill District Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) Meeting, Jan. 26, 8 a.m.
The next TAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 26, 8 to 10 a.m. The meeting will be hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 2339 304 9083. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. The HMD TAC meets quarterly on community transportation issues. Topics include road and transit projects and programs (including Fairfax Connector and Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project), trails and sidewalks, legislative and funding information, and a comprehensive project status list. For additional information or to be added to the HMD TAC email list contact: Shyamali Hauth. Watch recent TAC meetings here.
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Reston Fire Station 25 Moves to New Building
The staff and equipment for Reston's Fire Station 25 moved into their new building last Thursday, Jan. 26. Watch this video to get a look inside this new state-of-the-art facility at 1820 Wiehle Ave. A grand opening is planned for March and I'll provide details when available.
Joint Reston and McLean District Police Station CAC Meeting, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.
The next joint CAC meeting is tomorrow, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Topics will include:
- District Station Staffing
- Integrating Police and Community (IPAC)
- Office of Data Analytics and Strategic Initiatives
- Police Department and McLean Calls for Service review of 2021
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Reston Community Center
Reston Community Center's annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration takes place Sunday, Jan. 16 and Monday, Jan. 17. Learn more.
Volunteer Fairfax
Volunteer Fairfax has several opportunities to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a meaningful way. Learn more.
Fairfax County Holiday Schedule
Fairfax County Government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17, for Martin King Luther Jr. Day. However, some facilities are open and schedules vary. Learn more
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Winter 2022 Events Guide
Stay Informed When it Snows
Town residents can receive information about town weather-related responses, cancellations, and closures:
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Free Retirement Strategies From AARP
Learn tips From AARP for determining if you are on track for retirement and learn practical strategies.
Farmer Market Vendors Sought for 2022
The Fairfax County Park Authority is currently recruiting farmers and vendors with unique local, food-based products, Learn more.
Fairfax County Awards More Than $16 Million in Business Support Grants
The Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives announced this week that the county has awarded more than $16 million in PIVOT grant funds to 1,016 county businesses adversely affected by the pandemic. Businesses in the most hard-hit sectors of our economy, including hotel, food service, retail and personal services, and arts and culture industries, were targeted and received grants between $1,500 and $207,000. Learn more.
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Stay Informed and In Touch |
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Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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