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By ELISHA SAUERS AND MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
As testing increases across Virginia, the tally of confirmed coronavirus cases continued to rise Thursday, with the latest statewide count ratcheting up to 94. Meanwhile, with the pandemic shutting down many businesses, more than 14,000 Virginians filed for unemployment so far this week — a massive jump from the norm.
By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury
After adjourning a historic legislative session last week, a few Democratic lawmakers crossed Capitol Square to stand with Gov. Ralph Northam at a news conference about the state’s response to COVID-19. Then they left town and went home to their districts. Then the world changed.
By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Virginia’s Republican Party is holding off on its quadrennial state convention as the coronavirus continues to spread in the state and across the country. The convention had been scheduled for May 1-2 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. During the meeting, party members were scheduled to elect delegates for the August Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., and elect a state chairman...
By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)
Virginia health insurers say members who need screening and testing to see if they are infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus won't be asked for the usual co-pay or other cost-sharing. They also are waiving cost-sharing fees for telemedicine visits for any reason for the next 90 days, to help patients avoid contact with potentially infected people.
By SAMUEL NORTHROP, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
A group of nursing home medical directors says Virginia Department of Health rules are delaying COVID-19 testing for the state’s most vulnerable residents, putting the people most likely to die from the virus at risk.
By ALISSA SKELTON, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Virginia Beach staffers will present their proposed budget on Tuesday at city hall — to an empty room and a video camera. An effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the presentation will mark a sharp deviation from the way the city typically unveils its budget to council members and public. Each April, large crowds often attend budget hearings to oppose tax increases, lobby for pet projects or otherwise shape how taxpayer money is spent.
By CHELSEA DONOVAN, WTKR
One of the most in demand items as the coronavirus continues to spark fear is hand sanitizer. You will have a tough time finding it - so this why one Virginia Beach distillery is stepping up with a building full of alcohol. They are getting creative and trading in the drinks for disinfectants.
The Full Report
47 articles, 25 publications
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By DEAN MIRSHAHI, WRIC
Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax sent a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam voicing his opinion on what steps the state should implement during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter, which was dated Wednesday when Virginia’s coronavirus cases were at 77, asked Northam to consider a list of recommendations that Fairfax “strongly” suggested. The number of cases has risen by 17 to a total of 94.
By STAFF REPORT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Virginia state officials are asking law enforcement agencies to avoid arrests when possible, amid calls from civil rights groups about jail conditions amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran said his agency was encouraging law enforcement officers to use summons instead of arrests when possible.
By NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury
The Supreme Court of Virginia declared a judicial emergency Monday, a sweeping order that has suspended all non-emergency court actions. It was widely understood to include evictions — a point of particular concern amid pleas that people stay in their homes to avoid spreading COVID-19. But some courts didn’t read it that way, continuing to hold hearings this week and, in at least two cases, issuing eviction judgments against tenants.
By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Virginia will allow all individuals and businesses to delay paying their 2019 income taxes by 30 days, bumping the deadline to pay from May 1 to June 1. The state will not follow the federal government’s 90-day delay, as top state officials argue that doing so would expose the state to a budget shortfall.
By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has suspended all routine fieldwork, including regular inspections and in-person monitoring, for two weeks in the face of the continuing spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. . . . DEQ has also canceled all public meetings and public hearings through March 27, including the State Air Pollution Control Board’s upcoming meeting.
By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to crush the U.S. economy, federal lawmakers are considering giving cash directly to people. The move has the support of Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., while the state’s other Democratic senator, Mark Warner, is expressing reservations with blanket payments that proponents hope will spur spending and protect people from going bankrupt.
ArlNow
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City closed last night and is expected to remain closed until at least the end of the month. Mall owner Simon Property Group announced yesterday that it would close all of its U.S. shopping centers, including the Pentagon City mall, which has one of the company’s busiest and most profitable food courts.
Loudoun Times
Virginia small businesses are now eligible to apply for financial assistance due to the impact of the spreading coronavirus. The Small Business Administration implemented a statewide Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration Thursday. The EID loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue, according to elected officials.
By JOHN REID BLACKWELL, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Cigarette maker Philip Morris USA, one of the Richmond region’s largest employers, has suspended operations at its South Richmond manufacturing plant after a second employee tested positive for the coronavirus.
By EMILY HOLTER, Tidewater Review
Following dozens of confirmed coronavirus cases in Virginia, the Colonial Downs Group announced Sunday that it will temporarily close all Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums across the state until March 30. With locations in New Kent, Richmond, Hampton and Vinton, the company said the safety of its customers and workers are its top priority.
By JEFF STURGEON, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
Volvo plans to temporarily suspend truck manufacturing in Dublin on Monday and use the break to try to implement social distancing on the production floor, the company said. Managers will use the five-day break to seek out “new ways of working and possible approaches to production that would allow for increased social distancing in the facility,” a statement said.
By JOHN R. CRANE, Danville Register & Bee
Goodyear’s temporary shutdown is another unneeded blow to the area following an already large slump in retail sales, temporary closures and reductions in store hours at businesses in the region, officials acknowledged Thursday. “I just can’t imagine worse than having Goodyear joining our business shutdowns,” Danville City Councilman Fred Shanks said Thursday.
By RICHARD FOSTER, Va Business Magazine
In order to prevent use of the Metrorail for recreational visits to the cherry blossom trees around the Washington, D.C., Tidal Basin during the COVID-19 crisis, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is closing the Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery Metro stations at 5 p.m. on Thursday March 19 until further notice.
By LUZ LAZO, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)
In one of its last orders of business Wednesday, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill to expand Maryland commuter train service past Union Station in the District and into Virginia. MARC trains could be operating across the Potomac River within a few years if the measure is signed into law by Gov. Larry Hogan (R).
By ALEXA DOIRON, Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily (Metered paywall - 3 articles per month)
While many local businesses have shut down in reaction to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority is still running buses to provide an essential service to the area. “What we’ve found is there are still health care workers, people in the service industry, and hourly workers that still have to get to work during this time,” said Michele Canty, communications specialist for WATA. “They count on us to get to work and make a living.”
By IAN M. STEWART, WCVE
VCU says international students who can’t go home and students who would otherwise be homeless have to re-apply to stay on campus. Roommates Kyle Mayo-Blake and Isabella Matos-Velazquez say they can’t go back home to Arlington, Virginia. Both have parents with health issues that would put them at greater risk if their kids return home.
By ZACH ROSENTHAL, Cavalier Daily
A University student has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to the University’s tally of confirmed cases within the University community. This is the first U.Va. student reported to test positive. The unidentified student lives off-Grounds in Albemarle County, and their condition is unclear as of press time.
By HENRI GENDREAU, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
Virginia Tech said Thursday it would move May graduation online as officials try to prevent any outbreak of the new coronavirus on campus. The university will invite all graduating students to campus for a ceremony and tailgate on Sept. 26 before a football game with the University of North Alabama.
By JASON MARKS, WAVY
The first people in Hampton Roads to test positive for the coronavirus nearly two weeks ago have been given the all-clear. The husband and wife live in Virginia Beach, and got the virus while on a cruise vacation in Egypt.
By PETER COUTU, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Since state leaders confirmed the first coronavirus patient on March 7, the official numbers have shown its quick spread. There were 10 on Wednesday and 17 the next. The total on Thursday stood at 94 positive cases, according to the official tally. But how many people actually have COVID-19 throughout the state? The answer is complicated, but experts said official numbers are likely underestimating the total scope of the coronavirus outbreak.
By STAFF REPORT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Virginia has climbed to nearly 100, a statistic that was nearly a day old by the time state officials reported it Thursday. The 94 cases is up from the 77 the Virginia Department of Health reported on Wednesday, with a total of 1,923 people having been tested for the virus and 19 people hospitalized.
By FENIT NIRAPPIL, ERIN COX, GREGORY S. SCHNEIDER AND ANTONIO OLIVO, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)
Maryland is escalating social-distancing measures after the state’s first covid-19-related death and the first report of a child testing positive. Scores of D.C. emergency personnel are under quarantine, with three firefighters confirmed to be infected. Virginia is easing access to health care during the pandemic and giving residents until June to pay taxes.
By SYDNEY LAKE, Va Business Magazine
There are now 95 COVID-19 cases in Virginia — a 23% increase from the 77 cases confirmed in the commonwealth as of Wednesday, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health and Carilion Clinic in Roanoke. The new cases include an elderly patient in serious condition at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, the first case confirmed in Southwest Virginia.
By FATIMAH WASEEM, Reston Now
Local public health officials have found evidence that COVID-19 is now being spread via community transmission in Northern Virginia, according to a county press release. As of Thursday, there are 16 presumptive cases in the Fairfax Health District, which also covers the City of Fairfax, the City of Falls Church, and towns within the county.
By STAFF REPORT, Prince William Times
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 11 in Prince William County as of Thursday, more than doubling from four on Wednesday. According to the Virginia Department of Health, only two cases in Prince William are travel related and one was transmitted from another case. Eight, however, are from an unknown origin, the VDH data say. Statewide, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 94 on Thursday, up 17 from Wednesday’s total of 77.
Gazette-Journal
Three Rivers Health District has announced that a Gloucester resident, a child under the age of 10, has tested positive for COVID-19, the 2019 coronavirus disease. The child was seen at a pediatric medical practice in Gloucester and is at home with family recovering.
By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
Carilion Clinic said Thursday evening that an elderly patient at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19. The woman, who is in her 80s and lives in Botetourt County, went to the hospital on Monday with symptoms of the disease.
By RICHARD CHUMNEY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
Lynchburg’s public health director Thursday sought to dispel mounting fear the coronavirus pandemic had reached the Hill City, telling the public in a news conference that media reports this week were “based on erroneous information.”
By SARAH RANKIN, Associated Press
Virginia health officials on Thursday confirmed at least the second case of a person infected with the new coronavirus in an assisted living facility, this one in the Washington suburbs. Elderly people, especially those with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the virus that has upended daily life around the world.
By ALI ROCKETT AND ERIC KOLENICH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
The Richmond and Chesterfield County police departments are giving targeted businesses a grace period to comply with Gov. Ralph Northam’s order limiting gatherings larger than 10 people. The limit was imposed specifically upon restaurants, fitness centers and theaters. Both Chesterfield and Richmond police said it does not apply to private gatherings.
By VERNON MILES, ArlNow
In a small press conference, local officials explained that the second day of drive-in coronavirus testing went well but efforts are hamstrung by a lack of coronavirus tests. “We’ve been able to process 63 patients,” said Melody Dickerson, Virginia Hospital Center’s Chief Nursing Officer. “We are training more laboratory staff to help with the process. The limiting resource is the testing supplies. That is a finite resource and we continue to monitor that closely.”
By STAFF REPORT, Prince William Times
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Wednesday that it will not carry out enforcement operations at or near health care facilities such as hospitals, doctors' offices, accredited health clinics and emergent or urgent care facilities, except under extraordinary circumstances.
By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
When Sentara Healthcare announced Wednesday it would have to close its drive-thru coronavirus testing sites because of limited supplies, It was unclear when they might reopen. During three days of operations, Sentara had screened 1,760 people and tested 786, a spokeswoman said. About 45 percent of patients who were screened met Sentara’s testing criteria. Thursday morning, the hospital system said it had replenished its stock: Two of the three drive-thrus would reopen immediately.
Daily Progress (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
University of Virginia Health System officials say the health system is now conducting its own COVID-19 tests. “We have started performing local tests in a limited capacity, about 20 per day right now, with the hopes of increasing to around 80 per day by this weekend,” UVA Health System spokesman Eric Swensen said.
By NZAR SHARIF, Harrisonburg Citizen
With countries banning mass gatherings and governments and health organizations are urging people to practice social distance to stop the spread of COVID-19, people are having to get creative to make contact with each other and unite amid being quarantined. After Virginia’s governor declared a state of emergency, one Harrisonburg resident started Dancing Resilience as a virtual dancing community to do just that.
ArlNow
While reducing the human toll of the coronavirus outbreak is a top priority, Arlington officials are also trying to determine its impact on the upcoming county budget. Given that the length and depth of the economic fallout from the outbreak is unknown at this point, county leaders are not sure how exactly it will affect the budget, which has to be approved before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.
By ALEXA DOIRON, Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily (Metered paywall - 3 articles per month)
The public’s business must go on. In what may be the start of the norm for a local governments in the foreseeable future — because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak — the Williamsburg City Council used the technology of video conferencing Thursday and conducted a “public” meeting, albeit from their homes. That’s the first completely online meeting for the city and featured a number of residents tuning in and commenting on Facebook. One even submitted a question.
By ALEXA DOIRON, Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily (Metered paywall - 3 articles per month)
As the local economy prepare for the financial impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Williamsburg Community Foundation has established a fund to help. The fund would provide flexible grants to nonprofit organizations that provide services to residents in the community, according to WCF’s website.
By MARK ROBINSON, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Belongings stuffed in trash bags and empty tents marked the final day of Camp Cathy, the Shockoe Valley encampment that was home to more than 100 of the region’s most vulnerable residents at its height. A team of nonprofits led an emergency push to empty the encampment this week, citing the danger the COVID-19 pandemic poses to the homeless.
By PETER DUJARDIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
A jury trial in a Hampton gun possession case this week likely marked the last such trial in Hampton for quite a while. And the case against Jamar Montel Edmonds, 24, of Williamsburg, reflects the varied concerns that judges, prosecuting attorneys, defense lawyers and others must balance in the courts as the coronavirus continues to advance. The jury trial went forward Monday over a strong objection from Hampton’s top prosecutor about cramming dozens of potential jurors into a courtroom ...
By STAFF REPORT, Nelson County Times
The muster of the Nel-STAR Team/Militia in Nelson County has been postponed citing the mandate made by Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday restricting gatherings more than 10 people in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Scheduled for Saturday morning at Grape Lawn and U.S. 29, the event now will focus on collecting canned foods and registering volunteers for the Nelson County Food pantry as well as passing out militia registration forms, an announcement from the militia group said.
Northern Neck News
Lancaster County hopes to add muscle in its fight against the United States Postal Service by drawing Virginia Department of Transportation into the battle. The USPS plans to open a post office in the Village of Weems, and although the board of supervisors is “vehemently and unanimously” opposed, the USPS claims it isn’t subject to local zoning regulations and doesn’t need the county’s permission.
Daily Press Editorial (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)
Let us add our voice to the chorus of gratitude being sung for those on the front lines of the coronavirus fight. To the doctors and nurses, support staff and all the medical professionals now hard at work treating patients with the disease or who are readying for an expected influx of illness in the days and weeks to come, the region extends to you our thanks and sincere wishes for your continued good health.
Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
During a recent visit to a local big box retailer, two men were overheard plotting about how they wanted to buy 30 large packages of toilet paper to sell and “make some good money.” Fortunately, the store only allowed one package per customer, foiling their apparent scheme to gouge people in search of scarce goods and profit off their desperation.
By SUDIPTA SARANGI, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
The news is replete with stories of how grocery stores across the country are full of empty shelves. A quick glance at social media tells you the same story, but with a spin – hilarious anecdotes about the fights over toilet paper and the promise to use your hoarding neighbor’s lawn as the toilet!
Sarangi is a professor and department head of economics in the Virginia Tech College of Science.
By TOM STEFFENS, published in Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)
When I was on active duty, one of the key tenets of our Navy SEAL Creed was, “Leave no one behind.” I see this same principle alive across our commonwealth as civil society and our public servants work tirelessly to support our 700,000 veterans every day. Despite that extraordinary effort, we all know that the men and women who valiantly served our country are at a higher risk for suicide.
By SU CLAUSON-WICKER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
Muriel Alderman doesn’t need a lot of luck to find four-leaf clovers every month of the year, including January, February and March. They are waiting in her own backyard, she said. Alderman, 86, can’t seem to walk through a patch of clover without scanning it for four-leaf good-luck charms. Apparently she has a special skill. Each year she finds more than 1,000 of the special clovers, mostly on her 60-acre farm.
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