Health and Medicine
If there is any business that comes close to being impossible to shut down during a pandemic, it is the funeral home. But like everyone else, they are making sudden changes in many ways they do business in light of the coronavirus. Funerals are usually times of large family gatherings — with plenty of hugs all around. At Oakey’s Funeral Services, Sammy Oakey says they now recommend a graveside service with family only for now and a larger memorial service when circumstances permit. He says some of their adaptations include putting funerals in larger chapels than might otherwise be needed to provide more social distancing and breaking up lines if they get too long. In Oakey says families of the the deceased may have to become more patient if the pandemic becomes noticeably worse, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports:
NEWS RELEASE: Roanoke, Va. (Thursday, March 19, 2020) – Carilion Clinic announced today that a resident from southwest Virginia has tested positive for COVID-19.
The positive case is an elderly patient who resides within the Alleghany Health District. The patient was admitted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 16, exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and was tested. The patient was placed in a COVID-19 isolation unit. Results were received from a commercial testing lab March 19 and immediately shared with the Virginia Department of Health. VDH is overseeing the investigation to trace relevant patient contacts. The patient is in serious condition.
While treating the patient, Carilion’s infection prevention team followed all appropriate protocols to ensure that our staff and visitors remained safe.
As of March 19, Carilion Clinic had tested 172 patients for COVID-19, with 69 negative results and one positive. Carilion is awaiting results for remaining 102.
Most patients with COVID-19 have only mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe symptoms, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person. COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
To lower the risk of respiratory germ spread, including COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following effective behaviors:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
This is a rapidly changing situation, and information is being shared as it becomes available on the following websites: www.carilionclinic.org/coronavirus, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/. Please consult www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus for the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Health has also activated a public information line, 877-ASK-VDH3, for questions from residents about the novel coronavirus situation.
As of late Thursday morning, the Virginia Department of Health now shows 94 confirmed coronavirus cases across the state; that is an increase of 17 in one day. The greatest concentration continues to be in the Washington suburbs and the Williamsburg-Newport News area. There are still no confirmed cases in the Roanoke and Lynchburg areas, but health officials caution that results from many tests taken have not yet returned from the CDC. The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Virginia remains at two.
Carilion Clinic officials said today 165 tests have been run for the Coronavirus at Roanoke Memorial Hospital – none have been positive to date but only about a third have come back from the lab. Carilion Clinic president and CEO Nancy Agee and several colleagues said they are freeing up extra bed capacity, along with adding to test kits and respirator stocks, in case a COVID-19 outbreak does occur in the Roanoke Valley. Department of Medicine chair Dr. Paul Skolnick had this warning however:
UPDATE: J Crew notified workers at its Lynchburg distribution center yesterday that an employee there has tested “preliminary positive” for the coronavirus, and as a result, the facility closed yesterday for what is called “deep cleaning”. State health officials say they’re concerned because this case was not reported to them.
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J Crew has notified workers at its Lynchburg distribution center that an employee there has tested “preliminary positive” for the coronavirus, and as a result, the facility is closed today for what is called “deep cleaning” in accordance with CDC guidelines. Reporter Andre Whitehead says the building and parking lot are both empty:
But state health officials tell ABC13 there are NO presumptive positive cases in the Lynchburg area, no such test sample has been sent involving this case to the VDH, and they are trying to determine why the company sent the alert.
JCREW STATEMENT: Tuesday, March 17th, an associate in the Lynchburg Distribution Center was displaying flu-like symptoms and sent home shortly after arrival. Subsequently, we learned the individual had undergone a previous test for COVID-19. The associate was informed late yesterday evening of a positive result and that additional testing was required to confirm the results. Those testing results are pending with the CDC. Out of an abundance of caution and despite the associate having minimal interaction within the facility, and as a preventative measure, the Lynchburg Distribution Center has closed temporarily for deep cleaning in accordance with CDC guidelines. Associates will be paid during this time and customer orders will be processed when the facility reopens.
Governor Northam’s administration says as of late Wednesday morning, there are now 77 confirmed coronavirus cases in Virginia, up 10 from yesterday. None are in the Virginia Department of Health’s Southwest Region, which includes the Roanoke and and Lynchburg areas. There are no additional deaths reported, keeping the state’s number at two.
Among matters the governor and others covered at today’s briefing:
Virginia is working with federal officials to make sure that any standardized testing that might normally be applied to high school graduation requirements can be addressed to ensure seniors are able to earn their diplomas.
The state is providing child care providers guidance that limits classes or groups to no more than 10 people at a time in accordance with limitations on all other gatherings.
Anyone voting in municipal elections in May are urged to do so with absentee ballots if possible. Northam says you check can box 2A on the ballot, “Disability or illness”, as the reason for doing so.
APRIL 1 UPDATE: The coronavirus death toll in Virginia has reached 34 , and total number of cases has jumped by more than 200, hitting 1,484.
MARCH 31 UPDATE; Virginia’s coronavirus death toll has increased to 27 and the number of cases statewide has reached 1,250. State health officials say the number of hospitalizations stands at 165. Governor Northam has ordered Virginia residents to remain at home as the state takes new steps in efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. The order permits you to leave home for any number of services and purposes including food, banking, medical attention and exercise.
MARCH 30 UPDATE: The number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia now tops 1,000. As of Monday morning, the Virginia Department of Health reports 1,020 confirmed cases and 25 deaths. The Roanoke region’s number is rising as well: the department’s web site lists six cases in Roanoke City, five in Botetourt County, five in Franklin County, two in Roanoke County, two in Bedford County and one in Montgomery County.
March 28 Update: The latest information from the Virginia Department of Health shows more than 9,100 people have been tested in Virginia. Total cases are at 739 while 99 have been hospitalized. Death toll is at 17.
MARCH 27 UPDATE: As of 10:00 am, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state jumped more than 100 from yesterday to 604 in all. The Virginia Department of Health also says 83 people have required hospitalization to date; there have been 14 deaths attributed to the coronavirus so far. Virginia’s population centers remain the state’s hotspots: Fairfax County alone reports 124 confirmed cases, and there are more than 100 in Hampton Roads.
In the Roanoke area, there are one each in Roanoke City and County, Botetourt County and Franklin County. There are two reported cases in Bedford County.
MARCH 23 UPDATE: RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia public schools will remain closed for the rest of the current school year and certain types of businesses, like bowling alleys, gyms and theaters, must close in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday.
Northam’s order would not apply to businesses deemed essential, including grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and gas stations. State-owned liquor stores will also remain open.
“I know that the next several weeks, the next several months, will be difficult. They will require everyone to change the way that we live, the way we interact with each other,” the governor said.
Northam, who is a doctor, said the closures were necessary to slow the spread of the virus and ensure that the health care system can keep up. As of Monday, there were 254 confirmed cases and six virus-related deaths in Virginia, according to the state health department.
The virus causes only minor flu-like symptoms in most people, who recover in a matter of weeks. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death in some, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health problems. Severe cases are often only able to breathe with respirators.
The governor had previously ordered a two-week school closure, which was set to end at the end of this week. Many school districts in the state have previously said they will be closed until at least mid-April.
The latest state numbers now have 254 confirmed COVID-19 cases across Virginia. That is an increase of 35 from Sunday’s number. There are six fatalities.
FRIDAY UPDATE: There are now 114 confirmed coronoavirus cases now across Virginia. Health officials expect the number to grow as more test results come in. With one case now reported from Botetourt County, every Health Department region in the state now has at least one.
THURSDAY EVENING UPDATE: The Roanoke region has its first confirmed Coronavirus case. Carilion Clinic reports it is an elderly patient admitted Monday with symptoms consistent with the virus. Test results came back today. The patient lives in Botetourt County.
THURSDAY UPDATE: The Virginia Department of Health now shows 94 confirmed coronavirus cases across the state; that is an increase of 17 in one day. The greatest concentration continues to be in the Washington suburbs and the Williamsburg-Newport News area. There are still no confirmed cases in the Roanoke and Lynchburg areas, but health officials caution that results from many tests taken have not yet returned from the CDC. The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Virginia remains at two.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Governor Northam’s administration says as of late Wednesday morning, there are now 77 confirmed coronavirus cases in Virginia, up 10 from yesterday. None are in the Virginia Department of Health’s Southwest Region, which includes the Roanoke and and Lynchburg areas. There are no additional deaths reported, keeping the state’s number at two.
PREVIOUS: Governor Northam says Virginia is adopting federal guidelines announced yesterday — and limiting gatherings in the state to no more than 10 people.
Northam urges all restaurants to provide takeout service only — and employees impacted by state-mandated closures will be immediately eligible for unemployment compensation. It comes as the number of coronavirus cases in the state climbs to 67 — none of them in the Roanoke and Lynchburg region.
The governor has ordered all DMV offices to close until further notice, but the agency’s on-line processes will continue.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Restaurants, gyms, and theaters in Virginia will not serve more than 10 customers at a time under an order the governor issued Tuesday in response to the coronavirus.
Gov. Ralph Northam also urged Virginians to comply with new federal guidelines not to gather in groups of more than 10 and for people older than 65 to self-quarantine.
Several other states and cities have ordered restaurants and bars to close, which Northam said he did not favor. Speaking at a Capitol news conference, he said Virginians get about half their meals from restaurants and an outright ban would be harmful. He also said he hoped that Virginians would voluntarily comply with the new measures.
“I’m much more about carrots than I am about sticks,” Northam said. “Hopefully we get to the point where we don’t have to do a lot of enforcement.”
Northam’s announcement came a day after the White House released a series of sweeping guidelines that for the next 15 days will temporarily rewrite the norms of American society. They include the recommendation not to gather in groups of more than 10 people and that discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided.
The governor had previously banned all public gatherings of more than 100 people and ordered schools closed for two weeks.
Many restaurant owners in Richmond had already decided to shut down, even before the new restrictions announced by Northam.
Liz Kincaid, co-owner of four restaurants in Richmond, closed them all on Monday. She said business at the restaurants was way down last week amid coronavirus fears, and employees were growing increasingly concerned about potential exposure to the virus.
“It’s a pretty sad moment right now,” she said Tuesday. “It was an extremely difficult decision. A lot of our staff have been with us for a long time __ for years __ and I just hope they understand. … We felt it would be socially irresponsible to stay open at this point.”
The YMCA announced Tuesday that it will temporarily close all of its facilities in the Richmond area. Tim Joyce, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Richmond, said the closings are being done in an attempt to help “flatten the curve,” the phrase used to describe efforts to slow the spread of the virus so the healthcare system does not get overwhelmed.
“These are unprecedented times unlike any we have been through,” Joyce said in a statement.
Northam said the state would waive a one-week waiting period for people seeking unemployment benefits and expand eligibility to certain workers affected by business closings.
The governor also asked younger people to take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to others.
“Do not go to St. Patrick’s Day parties tonight. If you do, you are literally putting others at risk,” Northam said.
The governor said he was also ordering the temporary closure of Department of Motor Vehicle offices around the state.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Virginia had 67 cases of the virus, up from 51 the day before. That includes the first known instance of someone at a long-term care facility testing positive for the virus.
“This is very concerning,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver said.
He said the state was actively investigating the case and working with the nursing home to isolate the patient so the virus doesn’t spread to others at the facility.
Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner delivered a coronavirus update, ahead of COVID-19 legislation getting a look today in the Senate. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
MGN
NEWS RELEASE: Salem, VA. (Mar.16, 2020) – To reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, all LewisGale Regional Health System facilities – including LewisGale Hospital Alleghany, LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, LewisGale Hospital Pulaski, and LewisGale Medical Center – are taking the following precautions to protect our patients and visitors.
- Patients (age 16 and older) are limited to one adult visitor at a time during new visiting hours (6:00 am to 8:00 pm).
- Overnight patients are limited to one adult visitor in the following areas:
- Pediatrics
- Mother/infant
- Labor and delivery
- Pre- & post-surgery (patient advocates)
- End-of-life
- ER Patients are limited to one adult visitor (age 16 and older).
- Visitors 16 years old and under are restricted.
- Hospital staff will pre-screen all visitors (using standard pre-screening questions) and may require visitors to wear masks. All visitors will be required to wear an identifying armband indicating they have been screened.
- Individuals with respiratory symptoms or other risk factors for COVID-19, such as travel or exposure, will be asked to refrain from visiting.
- Visitors will be asked to refrain from visiting and utilize alternative methods of communication with patients who are under observation or test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances.
We appreciate the cooperation and help in maintaining a safe environment for our patients. We continue to work in partnership with our local Public Health Office, the Virginia Department of Health, and the CDC and will provide updates as necessary.
NEWS RELEASE: Effective March 12, Governor Ralph S. Northam declared under the Executive Order that a State of Emergency exists in the Commonwealth of Virginia due to the potential spread of COVID-19, a communicable disease and public health threat. In response to this Executive Order, today Botetourt County, the City of Roanoke, the City of Salem, Roanoke County, and the Town of Vinton governments took the precautionary measure of declaring local emergencies. The action enables the local governments to request State and Federal resources should they become needed. Per the Virginia Department of Health, at this time, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in our region.
The purpose of this emergency declaration is to give the local governments legal authority and flexibility to mobilize resources in response to this unprecedented public health threat for the protection of the communities. The action will also help ensure critical services and operations continue. Additionally, it allows the local governments to request mutual aid from regional, State, and other governmental entities.
A joint statement from local leaders:
- Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe
- City of Roanoke Manager Bob Cowell
- City of Salem Manager Jay Taliaferro
- Roanoke County Administrator Dan O’Donnell
- Town of Vinton Manager Barry Thompson
“Our top priority is protecting the health and safety of our residents. You can be assured that we, along with our elected officials, staff and particularly our public safety personnel, are actively engaged in monitoring and having discussions related to the Coronavirus pandemic. In this current environment, we will continue evaluating the way in which we provide services to the public. Our communities should be prepared for any adjustments, postponements, and cancellations that go into effect as we work together as a region to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your patience and anticipated cooperation.”