Self-reported COVID-19 cases rise at area FCPS schools

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Credit: Fairfax County Public Schools

The number of self-reported COVID-19 positive cases at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), in which affected individuals were onsite during their infectious period, has shown a marked increase during the second half of April, according to data from the FCPS COVID-19 Case Dashboard.

Dashboard data from April 25, 2022 showed the highest number of self-reported positive cases since mid-January. Thus far this month, there have been a total of 1,268 reported cases among FCPS staff, students, visitors and multi-site staff, compared with a total of 745 cases in March.

An FCPS spokesperson noted that the COVID-19 Case Dashboard is reliant on student families and staff members to report cases to individual schools and office sites, which in turn send the data to the FCPS Administrative Office for posting on the dashboard. The dashboard does not show cases in which COVID-positive individuals were offsite during the infectious period, which is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the 48 hours before a test renders a positive result (for individuals without symptoms) or 48 hours before the onset of symptoms.



By clicking on the “FCPS Daily Reported Cases by Site” tab on the dashboard and selecting a particular school from the "Reporting Site" drop-down menu, families can view how many students, staff members or other COVID-positive individuals self-reported as having been onsite at that school during their infectious period.

Credit: Fairfax County Public Schools

The FCPS data is in line with an April 26 report from Fairfax Health District that COVID-19 cases have risen by 62% over the past two weeks. The report notes that the surge in cases is “concerning” and urges “continued vigilance,” while acknowledging that hospitalizations currently continue to be low, and that the community level presently remains at “low.”

For those community members who are interested in, or in need of, a COVID-19 vaccination or booster shot, Groveton Elementary School will be holding a free vaccination clinic for people ages 5 and older on Friday, April 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 6900 Harrison Lane in Alexandria. No appointments are necessary, and only the Pfizer vaccine will be available.

Credit: Groveton Elementary School

Neighborhood Health is also holding a free Pfizer vaccine clinic for those ages 5 years and older on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church at 7836 Fordson Road. The organizers are offering free home COVID-19 test kits and $50 Target gift cards to vaccine recipients, as supplies last.

Credit: Neighborhood Health
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