Loudoun County Health Department issued the following announcement on March 22.
The Loudoun County Health Department continues to discourage non-essential travel at this time, particularly for spring break and upcoming holidays, to slow the spread of COVID-19 and limit the potential of bringing variant forms of the coronavirus back into the community.
"While we have been vaccinating more and more people each week, we are also starting to see another increase in the number of COVID-19 cases reported over the past couple of weeks,” said Loudoun County Health Director Dr. David Goodfriend. “The pandemic is not over yet, and I strongly urge families and young adults to stay home for spring break, avoid crowds of people and continue practicing critical prevention measures."
A recent investigation of a COVID-19 outbreak suggested that news of vaccination efforts and the arrival of warmer weather has resulted in more and more people becoming less concerned about maintaining social distancing, avoiding crowds and complying with quarantine recommendations. The Health Department continues to recommend against carpooling with members of different households and non-essential travel for leisure.
In addition, the more Loudoun residents travel to areas where variant COVID-19 cases are spreading, the potential exists for returning with a variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other coronaviruses. The virus mutates as more people are infected. In order to slow the number of cases of COVID-19 and ensure the country has an opportunity to vaccinate enough people to help bring an end to the pandemic, the Health Department encourages each member of the community to take steps to avoid risk.
“Stalled progress against COVID-19 increases the risk of new variants taking hold and causing a third wave of infection, including potentially infections resistant to current vaccine, which could prevent children from returning to school, and reopening of our community,” warned Dr. Goodfriend. “Each one of us has a role in ending this pandemic; each one of us must take steps to prevent the spread of the virus and get vaccinated as soon as it’s your turn.”
The Health Department continues to recommend that everyone, regardless of whether you have already been vaccinated, continue to follow these prevention steps:
- Avoid crowds.
- Stay 6 feet away at all times from others who do not live in your household.
- Wear a face covering when in public to protect yourself and others.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is your turn.
- Avoid non-essential travel, particularly carpooling with people who do not live in your household.
- Avoid visiting unvaccinated people who are at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19.
For individuals and families who must travel, the Health Department recommends reviewing and following the CDC and Virginia Department of Health guidance for travelers.
COVID-19 Testing & Vaccine
Loudoun County has more information about COVID-19 testing opportunities posted online at loudoun.gov/covid19testing. Anyone who has not yet pre-registered for a COVID-19 vaccine may do so at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 1-877-829-4682.
Stay Informed
Loudoun County encourages residents to stay informed about COVID-19.
- Sign up for email and text updates about Loudoun’s response to COVID-19 at loudoun.gov/coronavirus.
- Opt in to receive text message updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic:
- English: Text LCCOVID19 to 888777
- Spanish: Text LCCOVIDESP to 888777
- Follow the Loudoun County Government Facebook page and @LoudounCoGovt on Twitter
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