Route 9 Safety and Operations Study

Many families in our community have older adults living in their home or family members with medical conditions. It is important to take precautions to protect the most vulnerable individuals in our community from serious illness due to COVID-19.

Even if you don’t have older adults living in your home, you could unknowingly come in contact with someone who does or someone that works in a long-term care facility, and that person could potentially take the infection to a large number of high-risk individuals.

To help protect our most vulnerable residents, take the following steps to protect them from possible infection. 

If You Have to Go Outside the Home
If you need to leave your home to go to work or for essential items, please take these steps to protect yourself and prevent carrying the virus into your home or to others:

• Wear a cloth mask which covers your mouth and nose.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
• Carry hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes with you so that you can disinfect surfaces before you touch them or sanitize your hands if you don’t have access to running water.
• Travel alone, if possible.  Try not to bring children with you. They are more likely to touch things in public and could carry those germs back to your home.

If You are a Primary Caregiver for an Older Adult
If you are the primary caregiver for an older adult in your home, and you help them with daily activities like bathing and getting dressed, take extra precaution. If possible, ask someone within your household who is not leaving the home for work to help them with these activities.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces that your family frequently touches
• Wash your hands thoroughly before providing care.
• Wear a cloth face covering when providing care. Cloth face coverings should be worn by you and the person receiving care.
• If you use towels and wash cloths, make sure to use clean ones each time.

Thank you for all you do to protect and care for your family members and our community members who are in the high-risk groups for serious illness from COVID-19.

Also, be sure to check in on the older adults in your life, including your loved ones and neighbors. If you know someone in need of basic needs assistance, please call 703-777-0420.

Resources for Older Adults and Caretakers

• Map of Stores with Dedicated Shopping Hours for Older Adults
• Loudoun County Sheriff Office Prescription pick-up and delivery service
• Parks, Recreation and Community Services Senior Activities and Resources
• Coping with Fear and Uncertainty (PDF)
• Engaging Virtually (PDF)

Loudoun County encourages residents to stay informed about COVID-19. 

• Visit loudoun.gov/coronavirus for more information about how to protect yourself and your family and to sign up for email and text updates on COVID-19.
• Text LCCOVID19 to 888777 to receive text alerts from Loudoun County about COVID-19.
• Text LCCOVIDESP to 888777 to receive text messages in Spanish from Loudoun County about COVID-19.

Residents with questions about COVID-19 may call the Loudoun County Health Department’s information line, 703-737-8300, or send an email. 

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