Cases of COVID-19 in Virginia passed the 2,000 mark, according to data published by the Virginia Department of Health Friday morning.
Friday's update of statistics included 2,012 postive cases and 46 deaths from the illness. 312 people have been hospitalized and 19,005 have been tested.
A note on the health department's website said Friday's numbers do not include the results of a major investigation into an outbreak at a Richmond-area long-term care facility. Testing at the Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare found 92 residents infected with COVID-19 and some tests are still pending. That's about two-thirds of the facility's resident population. 16 residents there have died, according to the Henrico County Health Department and the Associated Press.
Health officials in the Roanoke Valley say many of the cases in that area can be traced to failure to keep distant from others. During a news conference Friday afternoon, Dr. Molly O’Dell said there were at least 38 positive cases in the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts. "We’re at a place in Southwest Virginia where we’re seeing that many of the cases are related to funerals in addition to travel. So that’s one community activity that’s been hard for people to suspend," O'Dell said. "Social distancing works, if our citizens are willing to adhere to it. And with substantial transmission in the community, we would hope that people would be vigilant."
O’Dell also said there is still an extreme shortage on testing equipment and a long waiting period for results.
Governor Ralph Northam said the state is moving ahead with three alternative health care sites. Work will begin soon at the Richmond Convention Center, Dulles Expo Center and Hampton Roads Convention Center. Northam said the alternative facilities will help open up hospital capacity for more critical patients. Officials are still reviewing the expected need and potential sites in the western part of the state.
In his Friday afternoon news conference, Northam also called for people to maintain distance at Virginia's state parks, public lands and beaches this weekend. Northam said if groups gather like they did last weekend, he would consider closing the sites altogether.
