Coronavirus Cases Climb To 391 In Virginia; 5 More Deaths

VIRGINIA — The Virginia Department of Health confirmed 391 positive cases of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, on Wednesday. That reflects an increase of 101 from the day prior. Public health officials also reported five new deaths. The state has 12 reported deaths related to COVID-19.

Two of the latest deaths happened in Henrico County, marking the first deaths in related to COVID-19 in central Virginia. The two elderly patients lived at the Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, according to the Richmond-Times Dispatch. The facility is located in the greater Richmond area. Henrico County has 20 COVID-19 cases, while Richmond has 13 cases.

The Peninsula Health District in southeastern Virginia reported two additional adult deaths, bringing the total to seven deaths in this area alone. One adult death was reported in southside Virginia's Pittsylvania-Danville Health District. The other deaths involved a Virginia Beach man in his 70s and Fairfax County man in his 60s.

As of Wednesday, the Fairfax Health District led the state with 77 cases, followed by Arlington County with 46 and James City County with 41. Prince William County has 32 cases, Virginia Beach has 23 cases, Loudoun County has 20 cases, Henrico County has 20 cases, Richmond has 13 cases, Chesterfield County has 11 cases and Alexandria has nine cases. The state report may not reflect the latest number of cases in localities.

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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday the state anticipates COVID-19 cases and deaths will continue to go up. He issued additional restrictions through an executive order aimed at flattening the coronavirus curve. The governor's order, which took effect at the end of Tuesday, ban gatherings of more than 10 people, closed nonessential recreation and entertainment businesses, and limited restaurants to takeout and delivery only. Businesses considered essential can continue operating with normal hours. In addition, Northam ordered K-12 schools to be closed for the rest of the academic year. The order is in effect through 11:59 p.m. on April 23.

The state is working on securing personal protective equipment to the personnel responding to the COVID-19 situation. Lack of personal protective equipment could lead a healthcare pro diver not to test a patient due to the risk of exposure. Northam announced Tuesday the state received a shipment of personal protective equipment from the national stockpile and distributed it to health departments and providers. Another shipment will come next week, and officials are reaching out to businesses to secure more personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns and gloves. The state is also working to source more ventilators with hospitals expecting the need for more.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness ranging from mild to severe illness. The common symptoms (fever, cough and shortness of breath) can develop up to 14 days from exposure. Individuals with serious chronic conditions and older adults are at higher risk for developing severe illness. If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider to discuss whether you should be tested.

If a health care provider believes a person should be tested, testing will be requested through a private laboratory. Due to the limited testing capacity, Virginia's state laboratory is only testing specimens from patients who meet the priority criteria.

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