April 16 – 22, 2020
Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee
Fou n d e d 1991 • V ol. X XX N o. 9
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Outbreaks Reported at 17 Fairfax Long-Term Care Centers At Least 2 F.C. Senior Homes Battling Virus by Jody Fellows
Falls Church News-Press
With more than half of his state’s Covid-19 outbreaks occurring in long-term care facilities, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced last Friday the creation of a task force aimed at fighting the virus where it’s attacking one of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations. As of Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Health reports that 17 of 60 long-term care outbreaks in the state are located in the Fairfax Health District alone and, now, the News-Press has learned at least two City of Falls Church senior homes are battling the coronavirus, with one reporting as many as eight positive cases. Both The Kensington and Sunrise of Falls Church have confirmed to the News-Press their facilities have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The two elderly care homes are located in the Fairfax Health District which contains the City of F.C., City of Fairfax, Fairfax County and its towns. In an email acquired by the News-Press, Amy Feather, executive director of the Kensington’s Falls Church facility, told families last Friday that seven of its resi-
dents have tested positive for the virus, with four in recovery — or 14 days past the onset of symptoms — and three in the hospital. In a separate email on March 25, Feather reported there was “one other team member whose test came back positive” and three other staff members experiencing symptoms were selfisolating. Sunrise of Falls Church did not confirm the number of coronavirus cases at its facility but Tom Kessler, regional vice president of operations, told the News-Press in a statement that immediately upon learning of a case, they contact all residents and families by phone and follow up with a letter of confirmation. Since two Kensington residents were reported testing positive for Covid-19 last month, no further information had been released to the public about other occurrences there, with the last public update coming on March 22. In response to several News-Press inquiries, a Kensington spokesperson said “we are confirming our status directly to our residents and family members.” A concerned family member with a parent at the Falls Church senior care center, who shared Feather’s emails with the NewsPress, said they were becoming frustrated with the lack of information coming from the facility since the first positive tests were reported more than three weeks ago.
DESPITE SOCIAL DISTANCE mandates shutting down many operations in the City, Falls Church’s Founders Row and other projects roll on during the coronavirus crisis. (Photo: J. Michael Whalen)
Development Projects Keep Rolling in F.C. During Crisis by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Even as the current coronavirus pandemic has gripped the City of Falls Church, as it has everywhere, the City government here will be challenged to find a way to proceed ahead as soon as possible with more than just emergency and continuity-ofContinued on Page 5 government issues. That is all
that is currently stipulated under ordinances adopted to accommodate “social distancing” guidelines by the authorization of virtual online gatherings of the City Council for the conduct of formal business. A big part of the business of the City, as it faces the crises to come from extreme revenue shortfalls this year, will be proceeding with deliberations and approv-
als of new development projects. As City Manager Wyatt Shields reported to the City Council last week, deliberations are continuing with the developers of the 10.3-acre West End development project though further formal actions will not be required until after the new George Mason High School is completed, whose construction remains underway and whole timetable for completion still holds at December 2020, and the existing old high school complex is demolished to make way for the West End plan.
Continued on Page 15
Inside This Week Falls Church Cancels Annual Memorial Day Festivities
F.C. Duo’s Fundraiser Off to Fast Start
See News Briefs, page 9
See story, page 4
The City of Falls Church canceled its biggest event of the year, the annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival, citing recent executive orders issued by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam urging localities to cancel large-scale events through June 10.
After just five days, two City residents’ fundraiser sold more than 700 shirts and raised more than $12,000 to help support local businesses and feed families in need.
Real Estate Agents Brace for An Uncertain Market After a turbulant March, real estate agents in Falls Church and around the Northern Virginia region adapt and brace for an uncertain housing market as the coronavirus continues to upend the industry. See story, page 8
Index
Editorial........................................................ 6 Letters.................................................... 6,19 News Briefs................................................. 9 News & Notes.....................................10–11 Comment........................................7,12–13 Calendar....................................................14 Business News..........................................15 Classified Ads............................................16 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword..................17 Critter Corner.............................................18 Crime Report.............................................18