Virginia officials reported a ninth presumptive case of COVID-19 Wednesday morning.
At a news conference in Richmond, Governor Ralph Northam said Virginia is not under a state of emergency, but he's prepared to declare one if necessary. Northam noted that such declarations are administrative tools that are focused mostly on suspending procurement rules and regulatory standards.
The state's ninth case of COVID-19 is a person in the Hanover County area, according to state epidemiologist Dr. Lilian Peake. She said the person had recently traveled to one of the CDC-designated Level Three countries where the new coronavirus is in active spread. Most of the state's other cases involved international travel, as well. In a later news release, the health department identified the person as a teenager who returned to the United States on March 4th. The teen followed guidelines to stay home for 14 days and did not attend school.
During the news conference Wednesday, state officials and other leaders outlined preparedness and response efforts. Northam said plans have been made for the state's more than 100,000 employees to conduct telework and he encouraged private businesses to address that possibility as well. Northam said the state is also working with insurers to waive copays and costs related to testing.
Dr. Lilian Peake, who is leading the health department's response, said state testing resources are being targeted to vulnerable populations: patients already exhibiting respiratory symptoms and have been in contact with a known case, people who have traveled to areas where the illness is spreading and patients in nursing facilities. Others desiring a test are being directed to private labs for testing. Peake said people who have respiratory symptoms and have traveled to active areas or have been in close contact with someone who did should call their doctor before going to the office.
Click here for more COVID-19 information from the Virginia Department of Health
Doctor Michael McDermott, chairman of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, said a response committee from around the state is conducting twice weekly meetings. The organization is also tracking hospital needs and any surges in demand. April Payne, vice president of the Virginia Health Care Association which represents long-term and nursing care facilities, noted that COVID-19 appears to affect older patients more seriously. Payne said the organization is recommending its members take "dramatic" action to limit non-essential visitation. That will affect family visits and trips and activities outside the facilities, Payne admitted. But she said experts believe that it is the most prudent way to ensure the protection of residents.
The state Superintendent of Public Instruction, James Lane, said decisions about the closure of school facilities would be made at the local level. School divisions are now being asked to share daily attendance data with the health department so trends can be monitored. In the event of a long-term closure, Lane noted that state code lays out make-up day requirements. But he said the Department of Education is open to considering alternative learning methods that have equitable access to materials and teachers.
When asked about colleges and universities, Northam said individual schools are working with their local health departments to monitor students and determine plans.
The Virginia Department of Health has established a hotline for COVID-19 questions: 1-877-ASK-VDH3.
