12 additional Virginia residents have died of COVID-19.
The latest numbers from the Virginia Department of Health also shows more than 300 additional cases, for a total of 3,645.
Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center has seen four additional deaths, bringing the total to 32 at the long-term care facility in Western Henrico County. 16 have died there since Thursday.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the total is approaching the number of COVID-19 fatalities at the Seattle area nursing home where the pandemic first erupted. At least 37 have died at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington.
Just 35 of the remaining 119 Canterbury residents have tested negative, but health officials say residents need too much care to be transferred safely to a non-therapeutic setting, like a hotel.
During a press conference Wednesday, Governor Ralph Northam said the state continues to send personal protective equipment to healthcare providers across the state. Virginia is continuing efforts to purchase more PPE, but Northam said that is a chaotic process due to a lack of guidace from the federal government.
Turning to elections, Northam recommended local elections in May be pushed back to November. That recommendation would require action from the General Assembly, which is set to reconvene on April 22nd. The governor is also pushing back primary elections in June by two weeks.
Northam has directed the Virginia Department of Health to better collect and relay demographic information related to cases -- including racial information, which has been lacking so far. His administration is also working with private labs to do the same.
Northam said the lawmaking process must continue, even in the middle of a pandemic. He is currently working through legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. That includes work on the state budget.
In addition to its regular updates, VDH will also begin providing a weekly update on case information gathered across the state.
Meanwhile, Virginia Tech has announced it will move all summer classes online and impose a hiring freeze amid the coronavirus pandemic. The university says new student orientation for the fall semester and summer conferences will also take place digitally.
The university says budget cuts will also be likely for the upcoming school year. School officials say only jobs deemed essential will be filled.
The Virginia Senate has moved its spring session to an area that allows for proper social distancing. Leaders have announced the session, starting April 22nd, will be held at the Science Museum of Virginia’s Dewey Gottwald Center.
Leaders say the exhibit and meeting space has about 11,000 square feet. Majority Leader Dick Saslaw says “these are times that call for safety and creativity.”
**Editor's note: RADIO IQ is a service of Virginia Tech.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
