Coronavirus case reported at Fort Belvoir

A Marine at Fort Belvoir has tested positive for coronavirus, the Virginia Department of Health announced Saturday.

The positive test marks Virginia’s first official case of coronavirus, a new respitory virus that can spread from person to person. In the hours since the Fort Belvoir announcement, Virginia has also reported that a City of Fairfax resident has also tested positive.

State and local health officials will be holding a press conference on the coronavirus cases today at 1 p.m. It can be watched on Channel 16 (website stream here) or on Facebook.

The Marine tested positive while being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, but he is stationed at Marine Base Corps Quantico in Prince William County. A statement from Fort Belvoir garrison commander Michael Greenberg said the Marine is being treated in isolation at the hospital, per CDC standards.

“Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and the Garrison staffs are in regular and close communication with federal, state, local, and private sector partners,” Greenberg said in the statement. “Efforts are underway in coordination with military and local health authorities to determine how and where the patient was exposed to the virus.”

The City of Fairfax resident who tested positive for coronavirus is in their 80s and was recently on a Nile River cruise with other people who have the virus.

“The patient began to develop symptoms of respiratory illness on February 28, was hospitalized on March 5, and remains in stable condition,” the Department of Health said Sunday morning.

The District of Columbia also reported its first coronavirus case on Saturday. Three Maryland residents have tested positive so far as well.

Nationwide, more than 400 people have tested positive thus far, and the number is expected to continue to climb. There have been more than 105,000 cases reported worldwide, and nearly 3,600 people have died, according to CNN.

There is no vaccine yet for the coronavirus. The CDC has released the following guidelines for preventing the illness:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.