Fairfax County, Falls Church Move To Medium COVID Community Level

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church have moved from low to medium community level of COVID-19, according to the Fairfax County Health Department. The City of Fairfax remains with a low community level.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's community levels — low, medium and high — are determined by three factors: new weekly hospital admissions, inpatient bed use, and new cases in the last week. All data is based per 100,000 people. A medium level means there are at least 200 cases per 100,000 people in the last week but new weekly hospital admissions per 100,000 below 10 and inpatient beds in use by COVID-19 patients below 10 percent.

A high level would indicate cases are at least 200 with new weekly hospital admissions above 10 per 100,000 people and inpatient bed use by COVID-19 patients above 10 percent.

Fairfax County transitioned to medium level based on a weekly rate of 210.1 cases per 100,000 people, while the City of Falls Church has 280.5 cases per 100,000. Hospital metrics remain low for both localities — 3.4 new weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people and 1.9 percent of staffed inpatient beds in use by COVID-19 patients.

"COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Fairfax County remain low though the rate of hospitalizations has more than doubled in the past month," the health department stated.

The Fairfax County Health Department believes the case increases are connected to the new Omicron sub-variants BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 and fewer people using mitigation measures. The health department also noted an increase in school outbreaks, particularly in elementary schools. Fairfax County Public Schools tracks new cases by school.

Under a low COVID-19 community level, CDC recommends keeping up to date with the COVID-19 and boosters, getting tested when experiencing symptoms, wearing a mask when experiencing symptoms, a positive test, exposure, or on public transportation. Residents may choose to wear a mask at any time for added protection.

The guidance is largely the same under a medium COVID-19 community level. The only additional guidance is masking indoors and taking extra precautions for those who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

"We all want COVID-19 to be over; but unfortunately, we are not seeing that. Even if you think your symptoms may be due to allergies, getting tested is important to make sure it’s not really COVID-19," said Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, the health department's director of epidemiology and population health. "We must take action to prevent disease spread, protecting ourselves and our families, as well as our most vulnerable residents: children under 5 not yet eligible for vaccine, older adults, and people with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19."

With Mother's Day events and other springtime gatherings on the horizon, the health department recommends outside gatherings when possible. Other recommended steps include staying up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, staying home when sick, and getting tested when experiencing symptoms. Those who choose to wear a mask are encouraged to try an N-95, KN-95 and KF-94 mask.