© 2024
Virginia's Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Lawmakers Get COVID-19 Briefing, City of Richmond Recommends Postponing Large Events

Mallory Noe-Payne/Radio IQ

At a briefing Thursday morning, state health officials told lawmakers that there are now 15 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Virginia.

Members of the General Assembly were at the capitol for a final vote on the state's budget.  Dr. Linda Peake, the state's epidemeologist, and Dr. Norman Oliver, the state's health commissioner, told lawmakers hundreds of tests had been conducted by the state lab.

Meanwhile, the City of Richmond is recommending large events in the city be postponed or canceled.

An announcement Thursday morning said the decision is being made in the interest of public health and an abundance of caution.

The city said it had "intensive discussions" with public health and public safety officials before making the decision.  Read the complete announcement here.

The state high school basketball championships in Richmond will be played without fans Friday and Saturday.  The Virginia High School League says only teams and immediate family will be allowed in the arena. More information from the VHSL is available here.

At least one Virginia school division has closed a precaution.  Loudoun County schools in northern Virginia will close through March 20th.

You can find more information about COVID-19 at the Virginia Department of Health website or by calling the VDH hotline at 1-877-ASK-VDH3.

David Seidel is Radio IQ's News Director.
Nick Gilmore is a meteorologist, news producer and reporter/anchor for RADIO IQ.