Virginia's reported COVID-19 case count grew by more than 800 over the weekend. And deaths caused by the illness increased to 54.
The Virginia Department of Health reported 2,878 cases as of Monday morning, up from just over 2,000 on Friday. 497 people have been hospitalized. The number of tests conducted has also steadily grown and now stands at 24,521.
Twenty of the 54 reported deaths were residents of a Richmond-area long-term care facility. Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare said Sunday that three more residents had died. More than 90 residents and 25 staff members have tested positive for the illness, according to the Associated Press.
During a press conference today, Governor Ralph Northam recommended Virginians follow Centers for Disease Control guidance and wear face masks while out in public. He stressed, however, that social distancing and frequent handwashing remains the best protections against the virus.
The state's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services is working with the CDC to analyze positive test results -- creating a large database on the novel coronavirus. So far, that work has determined that the virus was introduced into Virginia in several communities across the state at the same time.
Virginia has entered into a $27 million contract with Northfield for much-needed personal protective equipment. The first shipment of PPE from Asia is expected to arrive in Virginia next week.
Sentara hospitals in eastern Virginia have begun in-house testing. Results from those tests can be returned rather quickly.
Radio IQ will broadcast Coronavirus: A Community Conversation Monday night at 7:00.
Panelists from Carilion Clinic, Lewis Gale Medical Center, the Salem VA Medical Center and the Virginia Department of Health will answer questions from the community during a special simulcast town hall.
16 Lynchburg firefighters will return to duty this week after being quarantined.
The station from which they operated has also been cleaned and was reopened Monday – according to the Lynchburg Fire Department.
10 other firefighters currently in quarantine from a different station are also expected to return to duty later this week.
The Virginia Creeper Trail will be closed until further notice.
Officials say the decision was made due to recent overcrowding on the trail and concern for the health and safety of all trail users during the ongoing pandemic.
The trail is jointly managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the towns of Abingdon and Damascus. It stretches just over 34 miles – from Abingdon to the Virginia-North Carolina line.
