Daily Press

11 have died from virus at northern Va. care facility

19 staff members have also tested positive at the rehab center

- By Matthew Barakat

Thus far in Virginia, authoritie­s have reported more than 9,600 coronaviru­s cases and at least 324 deaths in the state. New numbers were not released Wednesday morning after the Virginia Department of Health said there was an error in the “process which compiles COVID-19 case informatio­n overnight.”

FALLS CHURCH — A coronaviru­s outbreak at a northern Virginia long-term care facility has resulted in 11 deaths and dozens of illnesses over the past month.

The outbreak at Dulles Health and Rehab Center in Herndon began with a positive test for the coronaviru­s March 28, said Jeannie Adams, director of legal services for Commonweal­th Care of Roanoke, which provides management and consulting services to the Herndon facility.

Since then, there have been 63 positive test results of patients at the facility. Of those, 47 are still receiving care there.

Adams said Wednesday that 19 staff members have also tested positive.

Virginia authoritie­s have reported 80 outbreaks at long-term care facilities across the state, resulting in 77 deaths.

The most serious outbreak occurred at Canterbury Rehabilita­tion

and Healthcare Center in Henrico County near Richmond, where more than 45 patients died.

Adams said the Herndon facility has been working closely with officials from the Fairfax County Health Department, which she said has provided “invaluable support, instructio­n and direction.”

The 11 deaths at the Herndon facility were first reported by WRC-TV in Washington on Tuesday.

County officials declined to comment on the Herndon outbreak. In general, state and county health officials have declined to release details about outbreaks at specific private facilities, though aggregated statistics about outbreaks are updated on a regular basis.

Thus far in Virginia, authoritie­s have reported more than 9,600 coronaviru­s cases and at least 324 deaths in the state. New numbers were not released Wednesday morning after the Virginia Department of Health said there was an error in the “process which compiles COVID-19 case informatio­n overnight.”

For most people, the coronaviru­s causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up within weeks. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death. The vast majority of people recover.

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