August 14th — Weekly COVID-19 Update

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” — Shirley Chisholm

This week, Governor Northam took several new steps to provide relief to Virginia communities, and I wanted to make sure you had the latest updates:

Governor Northam today unveiled his administration’s key priorities for the upcoming Virginia General Assembly special session, set to begin on Tuesday, August 18th, including measures to reform policing, protect Virginians from eviction, and close the digital divide.

Health

• Currently, 104,838 cases have been reported in Virginia.
• COVIDWISE is an exposure notification app that will alert users if they have been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Governor Northam announced that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will conduct a pediatric coronavirus disease serology study in Northern Virginia. Interim results from Virginia’s ongoing adult serology study show an estimated 2.4 percent of adults statewide have antibodies to COVID-19.

Medicaid

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the deadline to apply for Medicaid Provider Relief funds is extended until August 28th, and plans to reopen certain Medicare Providers.
• The Legal Services of Northern Virginia received a grant through the Potomac Health Foundation to help individuals in Prince William County (PWC) with issues surrounding Medicaid and the Marketplace, including help with application assistance, analyzing eligibility, or representing individuals in Medicaid appeals. Please contact Susan Nolan at 703–647–4748 or susan@enroll-virginia.com.

Housing Security

• The Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP), will provide $50 million in federal funding for households facing eviction or foreclosure due to COVID-19. RMRP will provide short-term financial assistance on behalf of households in the form of rent and mortgage payments. To identify the local RMRP administering organization for a household and to conduct a self-assessment for eligibility, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/eligibility or call 211 VIRGINIA by dialing 2–1–1 from your phone.
• http://StayHomeVirginia.com contains tools, information, and resources for renters, homeowners, landlords, and people experiencing homelessness.

Employment & the Economy

• Governor Northam announced a $70 Million Rebuild VA Economic Recovery Fund for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. Rebuild VA will be administered by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) starting on August 10th. To learn more about eligibility, click here.
• The Governor announced that 10 companies across the Commonwealth have graduated from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) Program. VALET, which now has over 300 graduated companies, assists Virginia exporters that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as a growth strategy.
• For a comprehensive list of information and federal resources related to small businesses, please visit:
• FINIMPACT: https://www.finimpact.com/covid-19-coronavirus-smbs/.
• Annuity.org: https://www.annuity.org/financial-literacy/covid-19-financial-guide/

Public Assistance Projects

• Governor Northam announced that Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) will award more than $5.5 million to support projects that will help address economic and public health challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Governor announced that 18 communities across the Commonwealth will receive $278,000 in Virginia Main Street grants to accelerate the economic revitalization of their downtown districts as part of Virginia’s COVID-19 economic recovery strategy.
• Governor Northam announced more than $2.5 Million awarded to four localities for water and sewer system improvements.

Prince William County — General Updates

• The Human Services Alliance of Greater Prince William, a nonprofit association of human services providers that aids local residents, received $950,000 in funding from Prince William County via its allocation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.
• Prince William County released tips and resources for how to deal with flooding and power outages.
• Prince William County residents are encouraged to participate in a survey to hire the new police chief. The survey can be found here, and is offered in several languages.

Prince William County — Education

• Meals are available for free or reduced prices for eligible students in Prince William County Public Schools. In order to receive these benefits, you must apply for meal assistance every year. Applications filed last year are only good for the first few days of school. Visit the PWCS Food and Nutrition Services website to learn more about eligibility and the online application process.
• Parents are encouraged to proceed with well-child physicals and immunizations for school enrollment.
• There is a requirement of the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for rising seventh-grade students.
• Drive-thru Tdap Vaccine Clinic for Rising Seventh Graders
• Monday, August 17, 2020 | Time 9:00 AM — 11:00 AM — Metz Middle School, 9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110
• No appointment needed — first come first served (limit 200 doses)
• Parent/Guardian must be present with their student to receive the vaccine.
• Must bring a copy of your child’s insurance card(s). Insurance status does not determine your child’s eligibility to receive the vaccine.
• COVID-19 precautions will be in place so please remember to wear your face mask; all people in the car will receive a COVID screening (not a test)
• Held rain or shine
• The School Board voted unanimously to adopt a Return to Learning Plan that will have the first quarter of the school year as all virtual learning for most students. Special Education students and other especially vulnerable student groups, as feasible, will receive some in-person services. More information can be found here.
• The bell schedule for all PWCS high schools will be moved by one hour, to start at 8:30 a.m.

Prince William County — COVID-19 Testing

• Free COVID-19 Testing available for residents who live and work in Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park. Participants must provide their full name, telephone number, and a home or work address in Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park to obtain COVID testing and receive the results.
• Monday, August 17, 2020 | Start Time 8:30 AM — Woodbridge Senior Center, 13850 Church Hill Dr. Woodbridge, VA 22191
• Monday, August 17, 2020 | Start Time 1:30 PM — Metz Middle School, 9950 Wellington Rd. Manassas, VA 20110
• Monday, August 17, 2020 | Start Time 5:30 PM — Splashdown Water Park, 7500 Ben Lomond Park Rd. Manassas, VA 20109
• Tuesday, August 18, 2020 | Start Time 8:30 AM — James S. Long Regional Park, 4603 James Madison Hwy., Haymarket, VA 20169
• Tuesday, August 18, 2020 | Start Time 1:30 PM — Cloverdale Park 15150, Cloverdale Rd. Dale City, VA 22193
• Wednesday, August 19, 2020 | Start Time 1:30 PM — Dumfries-Triangle Rescue Squad Facility 3800 Graham Park Rd. Triangle, VA 22172
• Wednesday, August 19, 2020 | Start Time 5:30 PM — Metz Middle School, 9950 Wellington Rd. Manassas, VA 20110
• Thursday, August 20, 2020 | Start Time 8:30 AM — Cloverdale Park 15150, Cloverdale Rd. Dale City, VA 22193
• Thursday, August 20, 2020 | Start Time 1:30 PM — Woodbridge Senior Center, 13850 Church Hill Dr. Woodbridge, VA 22191
• Friday, August 21, 2020 | Start Time 1:30 PM — Splashdown Water Park, 7500 Ben Lomond Park Rd. Manassas, VA 20109
• Friday, August 21, 2020 | Start Time 5:30 PM — Woodbridge Senior Center, 13850 Church Hill Dr. Woodbridge, VA 22191
• Saturday, August 22, 2020 | Start Time 8:30 AM — Development Services Building, 5 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192

COVID-19 Resources:

• Virginia Department of Health website
• Virginia Department of Social Services website
• “Forward Virginia” Guidelines page
• Prince William County COVID-19 page
• Stafford County COVID-19 page

If you need constituent services, please contact our office at DelJCarrollFoy@house.virginia.gov.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Thank you,

Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy