Governor Ralph Northam says Virginia has recorded 67 new cases of COVID-19 since Saturday.
The death toll rose to six on Sunday, as the Virginia Department of Health announced an additional three people have died from COVID-19. The three women were in their 80's and had been hospitalized. One of them was a resident of a long-term care facility. They all resided in the department's Peninsula Health District.
During a news conference Sunday morning, state leaders attributed the larger jump in cases to an increased number of available tests. Most of the new cases announced Sunday came back from private lab testing.
Governor Northam said the state is also working to ensure Virginia’s health care providers have enough personal protective equipment – or PPE’s – to keep them safe. That includes things like gloves, gowns, face masks and respirators.
Click here for more information from the Virginia Department of Health.
Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran addressed rumors that inmates within the state’s correctional system have tested positive for the virus. He said that rumor is false – but there have been some inmates who were presented for a test but were not given one because they did not meet requirements set by the Virginia Department of Health.
Northam said he is also currently weighing what to do with the state’s public schools – which were originally closed through March 27th. He said he plans to discuss that issue further on Monday.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
