Health and Medicine

Jane Hurt – submitted photo

There was a very special celebration at Family Service of Roanoke Valley this afternoon as Jane Hurt retired – for a second time – after a career in social work that spanned 64 years. 49 of those years were with Family Service. Hurt retired in 2000, took a trip to Asia and then went back to work. Hurt says she was “born to be a social worker”; she earned bachelor and masters degrees in the field – and started her career in 1956. The City of Roanoke also proclaimed today as “Mary Elizabeth (Jane) Bowles Hurt Day.”

According to the latest numbers released this morning by the Virginia Department of Health there are 84 new confirmed or probable coronavirus cases being attributed to the Roanoke Valley. State health officials are reporting 35 new cases in Roanoke City, 28 new cases in Roanoke County, and 13 new cases in Botetourt County, and 8 new cases in Salem. There are no new deaths related to coronavirus being reported in the Roanoke Valley.

According to the latest numbers released this morning by the Virginia Department of Health there are 624 new confirmed or probable coronavirus cases statewide, increasing Virginia’s overall case total to 60,570. State health officials are reporting 25 new COVID-19 related deaths statewide bringing the total number of dead in Virginia to 1,700. There is one new coronavirus case being attributed to the Roanoke Valley and that case is being reported in Roanoke City.

Gov. Ralph Northam

Governor Ralph Northam has held the last of what turned out to be 47 regular updates on the Virginia’s COVID-19 response – which since March went from daily to 3 times and then twice a week.  He took that opportunity today to address evictions and homelessness associated with the pandemic, school openings and changes at Department of Motor Vehicle service centers that will require an appointment for now, for social distancing reasons.

According to the latest numbers released this morning by the Virginia Department of Health there are 23 new confirmed or probable coronavirus cases being attributed to the Roanoke Valley. State health officials are reporting 16 new cases in Roanoke City, 5 new cases in Roanoke County, and 2 new cases in Botetourt County. Coronavirus numbers in Salem remain the same. There are no new deaths related to coronavirus being reported in the Roanoke Valley.

Governor Northam has set Wednesday, July 1 as the day Virginia will move to Phase 3 of his reopening executive orders. Among other things, social gatherings will be permitted up 250 people. Retail stores and restaurants will be permitted to resume operations at 100% permitted capacity, but physical distancing guidelines will still have to be followed. Gyms and fitness centers will be permitted to operate at 75% capacity. Entertainment venues like museums, zoos and other outdoor venues will be able to open at 50% of capacity with a maximum of 1,000 people. Child care facilities will be permitted to open, but overnight summer camps will remain closed.

Northam says Virginia is now well-positioned to handle any potential resurgence in cases, and he doesn’t expect to order any reversal should that happen, but he is not ruling it out either, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports:

 

 

 

Dr Molly O’Dell

Headed for the Grand Strand – Myrtle Beach – any time soon? Dr. Molly O’Dell with the Roanoke and Alleghany Health Districts said today the beach resort town has become a coronavirus “hot spot.” O’Dell also acknowledged during her weekly teleconference that some people are “weary” about COVID-19 and letting their guard down – like not wearing masks and social distancing. O’Dell says its still an “uphill climb” when it comes to beating the coronavirus, with local infection numbers rising from a week ago.