Dear Neighbor,

Like you, I am incredibly dismayed and concerned by the recent increase in COVID-19 cases across the country. 

Fortunately, thanks to your diligence and commitment to taking this threat seriously, Northern Virginia has so far avoided the overwhelming surges that other regions and states are struggling to contain. But, as we know too well by now, viruses do not respect borders and no state or region will be completely in the clear until this crisis has abated nationwide.

With that in mind, I'd like to take a moment to update you on where things stand in our community, our Commonwealth, and our country. 

Northern Virginia

In total, Northern Virginia has reported 34,129 cases, 3,571 hospitalizations, and 986 deaths since this crisis began. Current trends in our region are remaining relatively low and stable, with our rate of new cases decreasing by some 80% from its peak. 

132 new cases were reported today in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Loudoun, Manassas City, Manassas Park, and Prince William County combined. Of those 132 cases, Fairfax County reported 18, Prince William County reported 43, and Fairfax City reported 1. 

From July 6 to July 13, Fairfax County reported 351 new cases, a 2% increase, and Prince William County reported 265 for an increase of 3%. 

There are 240 people with positive or pending tests hospitalized in Northern Virginia, down from the peak of 818 in late April, but up from the 211 hospitalizations reported one week ago. Additionally, the Fairfax health district has conducted 100,890 tests, and the positivity rate is currently 6.1%. The Prince William health district has conducted 58,022 tests and the positivity rate stands at 8.9%, continuing its downward trend.

There's no doubt that these statistics mark a significant improvement from the situation we faced earlier in the year. However,the rate of new cases in the D.C. area has begun to level off, and is no longer decreasing like it was toward the end of June and the beginning of this month. 

Simply put, we are not in the clear yet, and we cannot afford to let our guard down now. 

Virginia

Unfortunately, trends across the rest of the Commonwealth are not as encouraging.

In total, Virginia has reported 72,443 cases, 9,423 total hospitalizations, and 1,977 deaths. 828,017 tests (not including antibody tests) have been conducted statewide, and the current positivity rate stands at 6.9%.

Today, Virginia reported 801 new cases. 972 cases were reported yesterday, the largest single-day increase since 1,284 cases were reported on June 7. Excluding Northern Virginia, the statewide 7-day moving average of case numbers has increased for eight consecutive days, five of which brought record-high numbers of new cases. Troublingly, the number of positive cases amongst Virginians under 30 has spiked 250% since May. 

Hospitalizations are also on the rise across the Commonwealth. 1,127 Virginians with positive or pending tests are currently hospitalized, compared to 902 one week ago. The 7-day moving average continues to increase.  

The current spike in cases is largely driven by increases in the Hampton Roads region, where localities are reporting their highest daily case numbers since the pandemic began. Virginia Beach's daily caseload, for example, has more than doubled in the past week alone. 

Nationwide

The Trump administration has utterly failed to respond to COVID-19 in any meaningful way and, tragically, nationwide numbers are as bleak as they have ever been.

There have been 3,366,845 confirmed cases in the United States to date, and that number grows by the day. An astounding 135,635 Americans have died, more than were lost in World War I, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

The United States has reported more confirmed cases than Brazil and India, the countries with the second and third highest numbers of confirmed cases, combined. Italy, once the global epicenter of the outbreak, has reported 243,230 cases in total.

The recent spike in American cases is largely driven by massive surges across southern states, including Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana. In fact, southern states account for eight of the top ten states with the most dramatic increases in case numbers over the past two weeks. In many of these states, like Florida and Texas, governors have downplayed or outright ignored the growing crisis, and their own constituents are paying the price.  

The tragic reality is that, in the places we have had success in containing COVID-19, the credit lies exclusively with competent state and local officials who listened to experts and acted swiftly. This pandemic threatened every nation across the globe, but no other country can match our failure to respond at a national level.

I know how enormously challenging this year has been, and I can’t thank you enough for efforts you’ve made to help keep our neighbors safe. But this is not over, and we have no choice but to continue to practice social distancing and, above all, always wear a mask around others.

We will get through this together.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and remember that my office is here to help. Be sure to visit the COVID-19 page on my website for more information and resources. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.

Sincerely,

Gerald E. Connolly
Member of Congress