July 21, 2021
Neighbors,
The news about the COVID-19 Delta variant is concerning and our number of COVID-19 cases is going up, as noted in the chart below. This pandemic is not over.
Despite the high rate of vaccination in Hunter Mill District and Fairfax County, many adolescents and adults have not been vaccinated and children under 12 are too young to receive the vaccine. This creates a risk for a new surge of infections and the emergence of new variants. According to the Fairfax County Health Department, viruses such as COVID-19 constantly change as they spread from person-to-person. As the virus changes, or mutates, new variants of the virus occur allowing some variants to spread more easily, which can lead to more cases of COVID-19.
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“Vaccination remains the best tool in preventing a Delta surge,” said Dr. Schwartz, medical epidemiologist, Fairfax County Health Department. “This virus can take advantage of any cracks in our defenses. For those who have not yet gotten vaccinated, I urge you to do so. Your actions will keep us on the road to recovery from the pandemic.” |
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The greatest current threat is the Delta COVID-19 variant, which has been spreading in the U.S. and now accounts for the majority of cases nationwide. While proportions are lower in Virginia and the Fairfax Health District, infections caused by this variant are increasing. You can get more information on the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 Variants of Concern Dashboard). The good news is that studies do show that the vaccines authorized in the U.S. remain very effective against the Delta variant.
Please note that our Health Department urges everyone who feels sick or has symptoms of COVID-19 to wear a mask, practice social distancing and consider a COVID-19 test — no matter your vaccination status. A quick test can give you results so you can know if you’re carrying the virus. Information on testing.
I join our Health Department in urging everyone who can to get vaccinated. There are many convenient options, as well as opportunities for walk-in appointments. Learn more.
If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, please call 703-324-7404. For other COVID-19 related questions, call 703-267-3511. Both call centers are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday. You can also email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov.
More Resources:
Respectfully,
Walter
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COVID-19 Information (July 21) |
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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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Career/Job Opportunities With Fairfax County |
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There are many job opportunities in the county, including areas such as public safety, environment, law, health, public works and more. If you or someone you know is considering a new career or job serving your community, additional information is below:
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Board of Supervisors Update |
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The Board of Supervisors held several committee meetings yesterday, July 20. Discussions included economic and environmental initiatives, collective bargaining and land use. You can watch the meetings here and more information is below. If you have any questions, email my office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-478-0283.
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Capital Bikeshare Expansion |
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Capital Bikeshare is expanding the number of locations in Reston to provide more convenient transportation options for residents. Capital Bikeshare opened in our county in 2016 to reduce congestion and improve air quality, while making transportation connections to work, recreation, retail, residential and transit destinations, including Silver Line Metrorail stations.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation was recently awarded Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding for the expansion of the Capital Bikeshare network in Reston. The funding will be used to purchase new equipment and bicycles for 19 new stations.
My office has received some questions about the location of recent BikeShare installations. Please note that locations have very specific requirements. One requirement is that they be placed in VDOT right of way. They cannot be placed on private property (i.e., Reston Association property). Another is that they must be placed in an area where the solar panel receives a certain amount of sunlight. For additional information, contact my office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov or email Capital Bikeshare.
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Land Use and Transportation |
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Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Meetings
An updated listing of Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force meetings for July is below. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. You can watch a live stream of the meetings on YouTube Live. (Please note that each meeting has a unique link and call-in information).
Tonight, Wednesday, July 21, 7 to 9 p.m. (rescheduled from 7/20)
Call-In Number: 1-844-621-3956
Access Code: 173 460 3841
Monday, July 26, 7 to 9 p.m.
Call-In Number: 1-844-621-3956
Access Code: 173 460 3841
DMV Services at Fairfax County Government Center July 28 and 29
My office has heard from residents who have had challenges getting a DMV appointment, so here is some good news: DMV Connect will be at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax) on Wednesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 29, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Appointments are necessary, but they will consider taking walk-ins on a case-by-case basis. Schedule an appointment online here.
Wiehle Avenue Pedestrian Study Group Virtual Meeting, July 29, 7 p.m.
The Wiehle Avenue Study Group meeting is Thursday, July 29 at 7 p.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: 173 881 8134. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. (Please note that each meeting has a unique link and call-in information).
Zoning Ordinance Lunch & Learn Sessions
Interested in learning more about the new Zoning Ordinance? Join DPD staff for a series of lunch and learn sessions and a community meeting on a variety of topics, including navigating the new Ordinance, accessory living units, and home-based businesses. More information: zMOD Outreach Page.
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Create An Emergency Health Profile
Fairfax County's Department of Public Safety Communications (9-1-1 and non-emergency call takers) encourage residents to create a free emergency health profile so that your critical health and medical information can be shared with first responders during an emergency or crisis event. Your emergency health profile will provide real-time health, medical, emergency contact and background information to first responders when it matters most. Creating a profile only takes a few minutes. Learn more.
Fairfax County Police Department Hires First-Ever Data Director
Fairfax County Chief of Police Kevin Davis has hired Dr. Noah Fritz as the Department’s new Director of Crime Control Strategies & Data Analytics. Dr. Fritz will be a key contributor to Davis’ data-driven strategy, which aims to guide FCPD’s approach to fair and effective policing through the collection, analysis and sharing of statistical information.
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Reston Museum's (LEGO) Bricks by the Lake is Aug. 14
Join the Reston Museum on August 14, 3 to 5 p.m. for Bricks by the Lake. Register for a table to build your LEGO creation at Lake Anne Plaza . Participants will build creations based on four different themes using their own legos. Non-builders are invited to stop by and view the Lego builds on the plaza, as well as a Master Build creation inside Reston Community Center's Jo Ann Rose Gallery. Learn more. For questions, email or call 703-709-7700.
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace Deadline Extended
You can enroll in or change plans due to the COVID-19 emergency through Aug.15,
or see if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. Use the quick start guide to help you understand your options and begin your coverage search. The Marketplace offers help if you cannot afford coverage. Eighty-four percent of Virginians who enrolled in 2020 received financial support, which brought their average monthly health care bill down to $94 per month. 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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