Health and Medicine
As announced yesterday by the Governor, Phase 2 in the three-part reopening of businesses in most parts of Virginia gets underway on Friday – but is the coronavirus pandemic under control at this point? An infectious disease expert weighs in, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Governor Northam says most of Virginia will move to Phase Two of COVID-19 reopening on Friday. Restaurants are permitted to have indoor seating at 50% of capacity. Fitness centers may conduct indoor activities and workouts at 30% capacity. Facilities like zoos, museums and outdoor concert venues are permitted to re-open. Gatherings of up to 50 people will now be permitted. The easing restrictions cover almost all of Virginia, with the exceptions of Washington DC suburbs, Richmond, and Accomack County on the Eastern Shore.
8 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases have been attributed to the Roanoke Valley by the VDH, according to data released this morning. State health officials are reporting 7 new cases in Roanoke City bringing the overall total to 167, and 1 new case in Roanoke County increasing the total number of cases there to 106. Data shows no new deaths in the Roanoke Valley over the past 24 hours.
“Probable” cases are defined as symptomatic persons with known exposure to COVID-19 but were not tested or whose tests results are pending.
It’s a slow recovery for health care systems across the country, four weeks after Governor Northam authorized a resumption of elective procedures. LewisGale Regional Health System is one example; CEO and Market President Lance Jones says they are now back to about 60 to 70% of patient levels for elective visits and procedures – and for the emergency room. He says in some cases, the lack of earlier visits is creating greater health problems now. Jones acknowledges that one reason many people have been hesitant to return is the perception that they will risk exposure to the COVID-19 virus – but health care providers, he says, have some of the highest-level safety precautions you will find anywhere. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
The Virginia Department of Health reports 331 confirmed or “probable” COVID-19 cases in the Roanoke Valley since the virus first arrived. That includes 160 in Roanoke City, 105 in Roanoke County, 34 in Salem and 32 in Botetourt County. The VDH reports 23 deaths in the valley from COVID-19. Five new cases were reported in Roanoke City and one additional case in Roanoke County.
”Probable” cases are defined as symptomatic persons with known exposure to COVID-19 but were not tested or whose tests results are pending.
The Virginia Department of Health reports a total of 325 COVID-19 cases in the Roanoke Valley since the virus first arrived. They include 155 in Roanoke City, 104 in Roanoke County, 34 in Salem and 32 in Botetourt County. The statewide total as reported by the Virginia Department of Health is 43,611, with 1,370 confirmed or “probable” deaths, 23 of them in the Roanoke Valley. “Probable” is defined as symptomatic persons who died after known exposure to COVID-19 but were not tested or whose tests results are pending.
12 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases have been added in the Roanoke Valley over the latest 24-hour reporting period. Five in Roanoke County, Five in Roanoke City, and two in Salem. There’s been no change in the number of hospitalizations or deaths in the Roanoke Valley according to the latest data from the Virginia Department of Health.
This is day one of Governor Northam’s face mask executive order. It requires face mask use inside public indoor areas, with limited exceptions. But there are questions regarding enforcement, as violators cited face the potential of up to a one year in jail. As for re-openings, the governor says all public beaches in Virginia may once again welcome swimmers and sunbathers — with restrictions that include limits to group sizes and sporting activities. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
US Senator Tim Kaine and his wife Anne Holton – the interim president of George Mason University – have tested positive for antibodies to the coronavirus, a blood test that indicated previous exposure to COVID-19. Kaine says they decided to have the antibody testing after they both felt ill earlier this year. (see release below)
KAINE STATEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS ANTIBODY TEST RESULTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement: “My wife Anne and I recently tested positive for antibodies to coronavirus. “I tested positive for the flu earlier this year and was given standard medication to treat it. The symptoms lingered and I continued to receive treatment from my physician for the flu through mid-March. At the end of March, I experienced new symptoms that I initially thought were flu remnants and a reaction to an unusually high spring pollen count. Then Anne experienced a short bout of fever and chills, followed by congestion and eventually a cough.
“After Anne got sick, we each talked to our health providers in early April and they thought it possible that we had mild cases of coronavirus. We were both at home in Richmond, working remotely and isolated from others. Due to the national testing shortage, we were not tested for the virus but continued isolating and watched for any worsening of symptoms. By mid-April we were symptom free. “We each tested positive for coronavirus antibodies this month. While those antibodies could make us less likely to be re-infected or infect others, there is still too much uncertainty over what protection antibodies may actually provide. So we will keep following CDC guidelines—hand-washing, mask wearing, social distancing. We encourage others to do so as well. It shows those around you that you care about them.”