The Virginia Department of Health's website is also now displaying a timeline of reported cases and some demographic information.The department website shows that most of Virginia's cases so far were reported on the 16th and 17th of March. It also says that illnesses that began on or after March 18th may not have been recorded yet.
The highest percentage of cases reported so far have been amongst people ages 50 to 70. However, the 20 to 50 age group is not far behind – according to VDH.
Two more Virginians have died from complications due to COVID-19. They include a woman in her 70’s in Loudoun County. The health department there says close contacts with that patient had already been investigated. A fourth resident has reportedly died at Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Henrico County, a man in his 70's. That brings the death total to 15. 83 Virginians remain hospitalized with the virus.
Click for a further breakdown of demogaphic information from the Virginia Department of Health.
Local and state officials are working to maximize hospital bed space for a potential influx of COVID-19 patients – and that includes the VCU Health System.
The school announced Thursday that it has already begun transitioning residential housing at its Honors College to accommodate patients who aren’t battling the virus. That will hopefully allow maximum bed space for COVID-19 patients at the VCU Medical Center.
School officials say student belongings left in the residential housing are being boxed, labeled and relocated to storage at no cost to the student. Affected students have been contacted about how they can retrieve those belongings.
The building – which was originally built as a hospital – will return to residential housing once the pandemic is over.
Roanoke officials say it’s all but certain that a significant number of residents are among the historic number of unemployment claims announced Thursday.
During an online news conference, Mayor Sherman Lea said federal help is needed quickly. "Hopefully we feel that the package that’s coming from Congress will arrive to help our citizens out. That’s the concern right now," Lea said.
Even though state sales and income tax deadlines have been delayed, Roanoke’s city manager said local deadlines, like property taxes, are not. In some cases, local governments don’t have the authority.
City officials say businesses and residents have been complying with restrictions on gatherings. They also said the stockpile of personal protective equipment for first responders is in good shape for the time being.
Valley Metro says it’s suspending fare collections for its transit services in the Roanoke area. The free fare period will begin tomorrow and continue through at least April 24th.
Valley Metro is asking patrons to only travel for essential needs and limit interactions with bus operators unless there is an emergency.
Bus systems in Charlottesville and Richmond have also suspended fare collections.
