Loudoun Now for July 9, 2020

Page 1

n LEESBURG

Pg. 6 |

|n EDUCATION

VOL. 5, NO. 33

Pg. 8 |

n PUBLIC SAFETY

Pg. 10 |

n OBITUARIES

Pg. 18 |

n PUBLIC NOTICES

We've got you covered. In the mail weekly. Online always at LoudounNow.com

Pg. 26

JULY 9, 2020

Hospital Leaders Step Up Support for Released COVID-19 Patients BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Kickers Sports & Martial Arts Complex Studio Manager Ashley Thompson and Camp Counselor Cory Johnson help their kids make slime using water, laundry detergent and shaving cream during a summertime class.

Childcare Providers Prepare for Shift to Distance Learning Centers BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Area childcare centers may be more popular than ever as parents scramble for help during a school year when their children will be out of the classroom more than they are in it. In addition to expanding their already

stringent cleaning standards and adding in social distancing protocols, many local childcare centers are looking to expand their program offerings to allow a seamless transition for elementary-aged children to virtual classrooms inside their centers. Eric Thompson, director of Kickers Sports & Martial Arts Complex in Ash-

burn, said internet traffic for his business’ website has skyrocketed since the School Board announced students won’t be heading back to the classroom fulltime this fall. The division is offering two options, a hybrid model of learning for most of CHILDCARE continues on page 37

Loudoun and the rest of Virginia entered the latest phase of reopening July 1, allowing restaurants bring more people inside and people to gather publicly in groups of up to 250. It was welcome news to businesses that have been trying to make ends meet under strict limits to gathering, dining and shopping. Loudoun’s COVID-19 statistics continue show positive trends following a recent spike that health officials attributed to a beach week trip by Loudoun teenagers. As of Tuesday, July 7, the Virginia Department of Health was reporting 4,252 cases of the virus in Loudoun, 280 hospitalizations, and 93 deaths. That represented 252 new cases, five new hospitalizations and six new deaths over the previous week. Key metrics being closely watched by public health officials—the rates of hospitalizations and new cases, along with the percent of positive test results—all were in decline this week. “The real challenge is going to be over the summer,” said Loudoun County Health Department Director Dr. David Goodfriend. “Those same risk factors that lead to these adolescents getting infected is going to lead to them being impacted on a daily basis” as people return to COVID-19 PATIENTS continues on page 39

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