The Virginia Department of Health reported the state's first death related to COVID-19 and a total of 41 cases of COVID-19 in Virginia Saturday afternoon.
The person who died was a man in his 70's and health officials are still trying to determine how he contracted the illness. The cause of death was respiratory failure related to COVID-19, according to a statement from the Virginia Department of Health. The death was in the Peninsula Health District, which includes Newport News, Williamsburg, Poquoson, James City County and York County.
Governor Ralph Northam says he will meet with health officials in the Peninsula District Sunday morning. He said additional measures to combat the illness will be announced around noon.
Fairfax County is dealing with 10 presumptive positive cases, the most in the state. James City County reports eight cases and Arlington County reports seven, as of Saturday afternoon.
Chesterfield County, near Richmond, logged its first case Saturday. The Virginia Department of Health says that casae is a man in his 60's who had recently returned from international travel. He followed instructions to stay home after his return and monitor for symptoms. The person is doing well and is isolated at home, according to the health department.
Governor Ralph Northam ordered all schools closed for at least two weeks in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.
Many hospital and health care facilities have dramtically restricted visitors. Mary Washington Healthcare in the Fredericksburg area will stop all visitation at 8:00 pm Sunday. Exceptions will be allowed for women in labor and for the parents of young patients.
Two of the state's biggest utilities, Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy, said they will temporarily suspend service disconnections for unpaid bills.
