Across Virginia

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VDH releases the latest coronavirus data from the Roanoke Valley

Published March 18, 2021 | By Web Staff

The VDH is reporting 1 new Covid-19 death and 1 new related hospitalization in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period. Health officials also report 59 new coronavirus cases among Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt County.State health officials report 17 new cases in Roanoke City, 21 new cases in Roanoke County, 6 new cases and 1 new death in Salem, and 15 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Botetourt County.

Northam announces size limits on commencements and graduations

Published March 17, 2021 | By Web Staff

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Governor Northam has released preliminary guidance to schools and colleges that impact spring commencement and graduation ceremonies. It would limit indoor events to 500 people or 30% of venue capacity. Outdoor ceremonies would also be limited to 30% capacity, but up to 5,000 people. Northam expects to make this an official part of his next executive order.

NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today released preliminary guidance for how K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities, may safely hold in-person graduation and commencement events this spring. These tentative plans have been reviewed with education officials and are expected to be included in an April 1 update to Third Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two.

Graduation events held outdoors will be capped at 5,000 people or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less. Graduation events held indoors may have up to 500 people, or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less. Attendees must wear masks and follow other guidelines and safety protocols to ensure proper distancing. Preliminary guidance for safely holding graduation and commencement events can be found here.
“I appreciate the work that our schools, students, and teachers have put in to get back into the classroom safely, and the efforts of public health officials and education leaders in developing guidelines for safe graduations and commencements this spring,” said Governor Northam. “We are releasing this guidance early to allow schools to begin planning for this year’s events. While graduation and commencement ceremonies will still be different than they were in the past, this is a tremendous step forward for all of our schools, our graduates, and their families.”
Virginia has currently administered more than 2.7 million total COVID vaccine doses, and 1.8 million Virginians—21.3 percent of the population—have received at least one dose, while more than one million are fully vaccinated. The statewide positivity rate is 5.4 percent. About 50,000 shots are being administered to Virginians each day, and the Commonwealth is on pace to have vaccine available to everyone who wants to get vaccinated by the beginning of May. The acceleration of the vaccine program and the decrease in new COVID-19 cases make it safer to ease restrictions on activities like in-person graduations.
Virginia’s schools are also meeting Governor Northam’s goal to expand opportunities for regular in-person instruction. In early February, Governor Northam directed Virginia’s 132 school divisions to submit plans by mid-March for returning students to their classrooms. At that time, 25 school divisions, representing more than a third of Virginia’s students, had no plans for in-person learning. All school divisions have now submitted plans to meet that goal, and a vast majority of divisions are now offering full time classroom instruction or hybrid schedules that allow students to learn in person at least part of the week. All divisions continue to provide fully remote instructional options for students who choose to learn from home.
Over the past two weeks, Governor Northam and state officials have visited schools at every grade level in 26 school divisions throughout the Commonwealth, highlighting innovative approaches to safe classroom instruction.
“We have met hundreds of students eager to learn and excited to be back in school with their peers and educators,” said Secretary of Education Atif Qarni. “We know that students learn best in their classrooms and will continue to work with divisions to ensure children across our Commonwealth have access to in-person learning options.”
Virginia prioritized vaccinating teachers and school staff early on, and more than two-thirds have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
“Given the rapid progress we are making with vaccinating teachers and staff, and what we now know about how schools can operate safely with proper mitigation measures, I believe in-person instruction will be the norm in every Virginia school division this fall,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane. “In fact, many of our school divisions—with guidance from the state—are already looking beyond the immediate issues related to returning students to their classrooms and are developing plans to make up the ground that has been lost over the past year.”
The American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law last week by President Biden, includes $122 billion to support K-12 school recovery efforts nationwide. Ninety percent of the funding will go directly to local school districts based on the formula for distributing federal Title I funds. Ten percent of the funding under the act will support state-level initiatives to help schools recover from the pandemic. According to estimates, Virginia will receive approximately $2.1 billion, with $1.9 billion going directly to school divisions, and approximately $200 million reserved to support state-level K-12 recovery initiatives.

Roanoke Valley sees slight increase in number of new coronavirus cases

Published March 16, 2021 | By Web Staff

The Virginia Department of Health reports 3 new Covid-19 deaths and 3 new related hospitalizations in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period. The health department reports 31 new Covid cases among Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt County. 11 new cases in Roanoke City, 11 new cases, 2 new hospitalizations and 2 new deaths in Roanoke County, 5 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Salem, and 4 new cases and 1 new death  in Botetourt County.

VDH: no new COVID related deaths in Roanoke Valley in last 24 hours

Published March 15, 2021 | By Web Staff

The Virginia Department of Health reports no new Covid-19 deaths or related hospitalizations in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period. It’s unclear whether the today’s zero number suggests the holidays data entry backlog of death certificates has now been cleared. The health department reports 49 new Covid cases among Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt County.

Sunday declared a day of remembrance for Va COVID victims

Published March 14, 2021 | By Web Staff
NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today issued a proclamation declaring Sunday, March 14, 2021 a day of prayer and remembrance to honor the Virginians who have lost their lives to COVID-19. The first positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the Commonwealth of Virginia on March 7, 2020 and the first death was recorded on March 14, 2020. Tragically, 9,961 people in Virginia have died from the virus as of March 12, 2021.
Additionally, Governor Northam has ordered the flags of the Commonwealth of Virginia to be lowered on all state and local buildings and grounds from sunrise on Sunday, March 14, 2021 and remain at half-staff until sunset.
“Sunday marks one year since we first learned that a Virginian had died from COVID-19 in our Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “Since then, more than 9,900 of our fellow Virginians have lost their lives to this disease, leaving behind families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors of all races, religions, and backgrounds. And while we cannot bring them back, we can honor their memories—and prevent more grief and loss—by working together to keep each other safe.”
“As we mourn, the First Lady and I are calling all Virginians to join us in prayer and remembrance of those who have been lost on Sunday,” Governor Northam continued. “One year into this pandemic, we are seeing an ever-brighter light at the end of a long tunnel, and we can be hopeful that better days are ahead. While so much has changed over the past year, Virginians have continued to show strength and resilience, stepping up during this time of great need. We owe it to the victims of this virus and their loved ones to continue doing our part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 until this pandemic is behind us.”
The Executive Mansion in Richmond will be illuminated with an amber light from Sunday, March 14, 2021 until Sunday, March 21, 2021 to pay tribute to the thousands of Virginians lost to COVID-19. Governor and First Lady Northam are inviting people across the Commonwealth to join in commemorating the lives lost by lighting their homes and businesses amber.

Visitors are permitted once again in Virginia nursing homes

Published March 12, 2021 | By Web Staff

The Virginia Department of Health is permitting visitation to resume at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities in the state. The new guidelines generally permit unrestricted visitations, but there are some circumstances in which there are still limitations as to who can visit. They mostly involve COVID positive test rates in a facility’s surrounding community and whether a visitor has been vaccinated.

NEWS RELEASE:  (RICHMOND, VA) – Healthcare facilities in Virginia can expand visitation practices for residents and their families, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced March 10.  On March 10, the CDC released Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination for all healthcare settings, including but not limited to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  At the same time, CMS released updated COVID-19 Guidelines and Revised Visitation Recommendations for certified nursing homes in response to significant reductions in COVID-19 infections and transmission resulting from ongoing infection control practices and high vaccination rates in the nursing home population.

The number of new cases of COVID-19 reported in Virginia nursing home residents has been consistently decreasing since mid-January; VDH is currently observing the lowest weekly case counts since early summer 2020.  As of March 11, 279,969 vaccine doses have been administered to residents and staff in Virginia long-term care facilities.  Relaxing current restrictions on indoor visitation might increase the risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in post-acute care facilities.  However, Virginia’s progress in the vaccination of residents and healthcare personnel can mitigate some of these risks, and public health officials understand that expanding visitation has substantial benefits to residents.

VDH recommends that per CDC’s updated guidance, indoor visitation could be permitted for all residents except as noted below:

  • Indoor visitation for unvaccinated residents should be limited solely to compassionate care situations if the COVID-19 county positivity rate is >10% and <70% of residents in the facility are fully vaccinated.
  • Indoor visitation should be limited solely to compassionate care situations, for:
  • Facilities experiencing outbreaks should continue to follow guidance from their local health department. Nursing homes should also follow guidance from CMS on when visitation should be paused.
    • Visitors should be counseled about their potential to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in the facility if they are permitted to visit.
  • Additional recommendations are outlined by CDC and CMS.

It is recommended that all long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, and other congregate healthcare settings adhere to these guidelines.  Facilities should continue to regularly vaccinate new admissions and staff, and should adhere to CMS regulations and guidance for COVID-19 testing, including routine staff testing, testing of individuals with symptoms, and outbreak testing.

Since its inception in April 2020, the Virginia COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force has convened as least biweekly to ensure long-term care facilities have the resources they need to combat the virus; strengthen staffing, testing and infection control measures at long-term care facilities; and keep stakeholders informed about the impact of COVID-19 on long-term care facilities.  The Task Force, led by VDH and composed of leadership from Virginia state agencies, Virginia’s long-term care and hospital associations, long-term care providers, and long-term care resident advocates, has been critical to the Commonwealth’s efforts to combat COVID-19 in long-term care facilities.

While VDH and the Task Force understands the milestone these updated recommendations represent, we remind Virginians that it is critical that facilities, healthcare personnel, residents and visitors remain vigilant by continuing to follow infection control recommendations such as wearing a well-fitted cloth mask or facemask, physical distancing (maintaining at least 6 feet between people), hand washing, staying home when sick, and wearing appropriate PPE. This continues to be the safest way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, particularly if either party has not been fully vaccinated.

For more information about Virginia’s efforts to support long-term care facilities, please visit the Virginia Long-Term Care Task Force website.

VDH reporting 42 new coronavirus cases in Roanoke Valley

Published March 11, 2021 | By Web Staff

The Virginia Department of Health reports 3 new Covid-related deaths in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24 hours reporting period. Those deaths were reported in Roanoke City. As for cases, there are 15 new cases reported in Roanoke City, 7 new cases in Roanoke County, 9 new cases in Salem and 11 new cases in Botetourt County. The VDH is also reporting 2 new hospitalizations in Valley: 1 in Roanoke City and 1 in Salem.

VDH releases the latest coronavirus data from Roanoke Valley

Published March 10, 2021 | By Web Staff

The Virginia Department of Health reports 1 new Covid-related death in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24 hour reporting period. However the VDH is still working through a backlog of death certificates for coronavirus-related deaths that occurred near the holidays, so it is unclear whether any of the newly-reported ones are in fact recent. As for cases, there are 15 new cases reported in Roanoke City,11 new cases in Roanoke County, 5 new cases in Salem and 3 new cases in Botetourt County. VDH is also reporting 5 new coronavirus hospitalizations in the Valley: 3 new hospitalizations reported in Roanoke City, 2 new hospitalizations in Roanoke County.

VDH releases latest coronavirus data from the Roanoke Valley

Published March 8, 2021 | By Web Staff

The Virginia Department of Health reports 26 new coronavirus cases in the Roanoke Valley in the last 24 hours along with 4 new deaths. Health officials say the department is still working through a backlog of death certificates for coronavirus-related deaths that occurred near the holidays, so it is unclear whether any of the newly-reported deaths are in fact recent. As for cases, there are 10 new cases reported in Roanoke City, 8 new cases in Roanoke County, and four each in Salem and Botetourt County. As for new deaths, 1 was reported in Roanoke County, and 3 were reported in Botetourt County.

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