The Virginia Department of Health began publishing deeper data about COVID-19 cases in Virginia Monday morning.
The latest numbers include 5,747 positive cases of the illness and 149 deaths.
More than 41,000 tests have been conducted and 903 people have been hospitalized.
The health department's COVID-19 websitenow includes additional data about the illness and testing. The data shows the Fairfax Health District in northern Virginia has logged the highest number of cases, hospitalizations and tests.
The data also shows identified outbreaks around the state. 53 outbreaks in long-term care settings have resulted in 554 cases and 34 deaths.
New modeling from the University of Virginiaalso shows social distancing is helping slow the spread of coronavirus in the state. According to researchers Virginia, as a whole, should have enough capacity to take care of COVID-19 patients without overwhelming the medical system. That’s at least for the next couple of months if Virginians keep up with social distancing.
But as Governor Ralph Northam warns, the models also show that lifting restrictions too soon may mean a surge larger than hospitals can bear.
“If we try to rush to get our lives back to normal the number of cases will spike higher and earlier, and we can’t afford that,” said Northam.
Asked at his latest press briefing whether that means social and economic restrictions could last longer than June 10th, Northam says officials are taking it one day at a time.
He also announced at the briefing new measures to help students as they stay home.
PBS stations across the state will soon begin airing lessons from Virginia teachers, and the state is expanding its online learning platforms so teachers can now host virtual classes.
“This enables every Virginia public school teacher to share lessons and activities with their students through June the 30th,” explained Northam.
Students who don’t have internet at home can download the lessons on a device for use later offline.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
