Slowing Vaccination Uptake, Rise of Variants May Impact Drop in COVID-19 Cases

coronavirus (COVID-19) update from Fairfax County

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Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fairfax Health District is seeing some of the lowest levels of disease transmission. Much of this success is attributed to identifying and isolating individuals who are sick with COVID-19 and the on-going vaccination efforts targeting everyone 12 years of age and older.

“The most important reason for the decrease in COVID-19 cases is the impact of vaccinations. With three of every four adults in Fairfax County now having received at least one dose of vaccine and about two in every three being completely vaccinated, we’ve seen illness, hospitalization and deaths all decline significantly,” said Fairfax County Health Department’s Director of Epidemiology and Population Health Director Dr. Benjamin Schwartz. “Many studies from the U.S. and other countries show that all of the recommended COVID-19 vaccines are very effective, particularly in preventing hospitalizations and death from COVID-19 disease.”

For the week ending June 26, fewer than one percent of COVID-19 tests performed on county residents were positive and fewer than 10 cases occurred for every 100,000 people. These numbers indicate that the Fairfax Health District is experiencing a low level of community transmission as defined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This achievement reflects the contributions of residents across the county who have chosen to get vaccinated and who practice behaviors that help prevent the spread of disease, including staying home when sick and wearing masks when appropriate.

Delta Variant Poses Risk for Disease Resurgence Among Unvaccinated

Despite this progress and the high rate of vaccination in the Fairfax Health District, still many adolescents and adults have not been vaccinated and children under 12 years old are too young to receive vaccine. This creates a risk for a new surge of infections, particularly with the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. Viruses, like COVID-19, constantly change as they spread from person-to-person. As the virus changes, or mutates, new variants of the virus occur allowing some variants to spread more easily, which can lead to more cases of COVID-19.

The greatest current threat is the Delta COVID-19 variant, which was first detected in India, and has been spreading in the US, now accounting for more than 1 in every 5 COVID-19 cases nationwide. While proportions are lower in Virginia and the Fairfax Health District, infections caused by this variant are likely to increase (see the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 Variants of Concern Dashboard). Studies do show that the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the US remain very effective against the Delta variant.

“Vaccination remains the best tool in preventing a Delta surge,” said Dr. Schwartz. “This virus can take advantage of any cracks in our defenses. For those who have not yet gotten vaccinated, I urge you to do so. Your actions will keep us on the road to recovery from the pandemic.”

COVID-19 Vaccine Widely Available

COVID-19 vaccine is available at locations throughout the Fairfax Health District, including private healthcare providers, pharmacies, grocery stores, urgent cares and the Health Department. To schedule a vaccination appointment, go to vaccines.gov for the widest selection of vaccination locations or visit the Health Department’s website.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines in Fairfax County, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/vaccine or call 703-324-7404.

People Not Vaccinated Should Continue to Protect Themselves

Because the Delta variant is more transmissible and may cause more severe disease, people who are not vaccinated should wear a face covering in all public settings and are encouraged to take precautions in accordance with CDC guidance for unvaccinated people.

Additionally, the Virginia Department of Health still recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated continue to practice physical distancing.

Stay Informed About COVID-19

If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, please call 703-324-7404. Call our Health Department Call Center at 703-267-3511 with Coronavirus questions. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.
Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 6 p.m.
Visit a web portal for coronavirus that serves as a one-stop online resource for information.
Learn more about COVID-19 on the Health Department Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webpage or FAQ page.
Follow the Fairfax County Government Facebook Page and Health Department Facebook Page.
Follow @fairfaxcounty and @fairfaxhealth on Twitter.