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First positive test for coronavirus confirmed in Virginia

A U.S. Marine at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the state’s first case of coronavirus, the Department of Defense announced in a tweet late Saturday.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman tweeted that “the Marine recently returned from overseas where he was on official business. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the White House have been briefed.”

A Defense Department official told The Associated Press on background prior to the public announcement that this is the first reported U.S. military case inside the country.

The Virginia Department of Health said in a press release that ” evidence has not been seen of COVID-19 spreading in Virginia,” and the risk to the public remains low.

D.C. also confirmed its first case on Saturday, with Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing at a news conference that the 50-year-old District resident first reported feeling ill in late February. Maryland recorded three cases this week, all in Montgomery County. WTOP is continually updating this page with information on how many cases there are locally. Check out WTOP’s coronavirus FAQs for more information on COVID-19. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Open house scheduled for proposed Fairfax indoor ski facility, development

There’s an effort underway to convert part of the Interstate 95 Lorton Landfill into a snow-based “recreation destination” called Fairfax Peak. Plans for Fairfax Peak were submitted to Fairfax County, Virginia, officials by McLean-based Alpine-X in late 2018. The proposed development includes indoor skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. It would also feature a hotel, shops and restaurants.
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