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By PETER COUTU, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
As the nation scrambles to expand testing capacities for the novel coronavirus, Virginia appears to have fallen behind the pack. Even with Virginia ramping up its ability to test high-risk people showing symptoms of COVID-19, the commonwealth’s testing rate ranks 37 out of the 50 states and Washington. That is according to an analysis of data compiled at 4 p.m. Tuesday by the COVID Tracking Project, an independent group ...
Associated Press
A federal report shows jobless claims in Virginia spiked by nearly a factor of 20 as parts of the economy slowed or shuttered in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The report released Thursday shows that 46,885 Virginians filed unemployment claims for the week ending March 21. That’s about 18 times higher than the previous four-week rolling average of 2,645 claims.
By SARAH RANKIN AND DENISE LAVOIE, Associated Press
A Virginia long-term rehabilitation facility is facing a staffing and supply shortage amid a coronavirus outbreak that has killed four patients and sickened many other patients and staff, a health official said Thursday. The Richmond-area Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, which treats mostly elderly patients recovering from injuries or illnesses including strokes, is struggling to find additional nursing staff after several workers tested positive for the virus and others had to self-quarantine, said Dr. Danny Avula, director of the Richmond and Henrico health districts.
By SYDNEY LAKE, Va Business Magazine
If only 20% of Virginia adults contracted COVID-19, hospitals in all major metro regions across Virginia would be overwhelmed, running out of hospital beds within the next six months, according to data from the Harvard Global Health Institute. The most staggering results from the Harvard study come from the Arlington hospital referral region (HHR) — which encompasses Fairfax County and other Northern Virginia localities.
By ALAN RODRIGUEZ ESPINOZA, WCVE
Without notifying students, Virginia Commonwealth University began transforming its Honors College dormitory into a temporary medical site on Wednesday to increase capacity in preparation for a projected spike in COVID-19 cases. Experts say Virginia doesn't have enough hospital beds for the coronavirus pandemic. VCU Health is asking the state to approve the in-process expansion of inpatient beds at its facilities.
By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury
Pharmacists across Virginia are reporting questionable prescriptions for a suite of drugs that have been promoted as unproven treatments for COVID-19, the disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. On Wednesday, Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver issued a letter warning of a “surge in demand” for medications commonly used to treat malaria, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, and other conditions.
Associated Press
Trump says he will visit Norfolk, Va., Saturday to see off Navy hospital ship heading to New York to aid virus response.
The Full Report
52 articles, 21 publications
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The Virginia Public Access Project
Data from the Virginia Department of Health shows a timeline of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases each day and a statewide map showing the number of cases by locality.
By MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
In the past two weeks, Gov. Ralph Northam has reshaped how Virginians live, work, learn, eat and play. He closed schools, mandated certain businesses close for at least 30 days and prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people — all in the name of stopping the spread of the coronavirus, which reached a pandemic level and has infected more than 450 people in the state so far.
By FRANK GREEN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
On Monday, Colorado became the 22nd state in modern times to do away with the death penalty and some opponents of capital punishment believe Virginia could be next, or among the next states to do so. Bills that called for a moratorium on executions or to end capital punishment were deferred in the most recent session of the Virginia General Assembly, but the legislature is now controlled by Democrats, and at least one Republican senator voiced his opposition to executions this year.
By CALEB M SOPTELEAN, Village News
Although Democrats dominated the recently-completed legislative session, state Sen. Amanda Chase was in favor of some bills that passed and wait Gov. Ralph Northam’s signature. Chase, a second-term legislator, co-sponsored a bill — SB 95 — that requires “balanced emergency billing.” The bill, she explained, will require insurance companies to work together to ensure that patients don’t get stuck paying for out-of-network doctors.
By CAROL VAUGHN, Eastern Shore Post
When Cela Burge is sworn in to her six-year term as juvenile and domestic relations judge for Judicial District 2-A, she will be the first woman to take that post on the Eastern Shore
By MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
As Brenda Cabrera weighed the risks of holding in-person elections while a pandemic spread in Virginia, a man stood in her registrar’s office in Fairfax and said he’d probably still vote in person on Election Day. As the director of elections and general registrar for the city, Cabrera tried giving him an application to vote absentee in the May elections — to vote right then and there, in person — but he refused, saying he enjoyed going to his polling place.
By MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Chloroquine. Hydroxychloroquine. Mefloquine. Azithromycin. Those drugs — normally used to treat malaria, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, bacterial infections and other conditions — have seen a surge in demand over the past few days as they’ve undergone studies to see if they could potentially help against the coronavirus. Now, the state’s health commissioner wants to tamp down on that.
By ROBYN SIDERSKY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
The Department of Homeland Security is extending the deadline to get a REAL ID license beyond the existing Oct. 1 deadline. Enforcement will be delayed until Oct. 1, 2021. Across the country, including in Virginia, Departments of Motor Vehicle offices are closed, restricting access to those trying to get REAL IDs.
By RICHARD FOSTER, Va Business Magazine
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on Thursday put the brakes on a major portion of Dominion Energy Inc.’s proposed $7 billion, 10-year plan for electrical grid upgrades, saying it was “due to the projected heavy costs to customers without adequate benefits.”
By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
The Senate passed an unprecedented $2 trillion economic aid package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, playing roles in negotiating provisions to help small businesses, workers and hospitals.
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
As a record number of workers across the nation filed for unemployment last week, 46,885 Virginians sought benefits as they, too, found themselves out of work. It’s an unheard of amount for the Commonwealth. Megan Healy, Gov. Ralph Northam’s chief workforce development adviser, said a big filing day during the most recent recession would have been 3,000 claims, ...
By GREGORY J. GILLIGAN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Jobless claims in the Richmond region soared more than 2,480% last week compared with the previous week as restaurants, hotels and other businesses temporarily closed to slow the spread of coronavirus. Virginia’s week-over-week claims for jobless benefits increased 16 times more for the period ending March 21 compared with the previous week, the Virginia Employment Commission said Thursday.
By ANTONIO OLIVO, FENIT NIRAPPIL AND LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)
At least 102,000 D.C.-area residents have lost their jobs amid the coronavirus-related shutdowns, a worrisome glimpse of the economic damage being wrought as the area’s caseload continues to surge.
By LAURENCE HAMMACK, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
While business closures and work-from-home orders have altered the employment scene for many Southwest Virginians, most outdoor construction projects are moving forward. Workers on highway improvements, home and commercial construction and other projects generally have more room for the social distancing that is being called for in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
By CATHY JETT, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)
Fredericksburg VA Main Street was so swamped Wednesday with applications from downtown businesses trying to shift to online sales that it awarded all of the money in its microloan program within hours.
By SYDNEY LAKE, Va Business Magazine
This week, Virginia received its first shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line health care workers from the federal government’s Strategic National Stockpile, but that supply is falling far short of the demand that will be needed for the COVID-19 pandemic, so Gov. Ralph Northam is calling on private industry to help.
By JOSH REYES, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)
Riverside Paper Supply in Newport News usually sells by the truckload, delivering cleaning, paper and packaging products to restaurants, offices, government buildings and entire school divisions. But in the time of coronavirus, Riverside has taken its business curbside.
By JONATHAN CAPRIEL, Washington Business Journal (Subscription required for some articles)
Amazon Web Services is eyeing fast-track approval for its latest Loudoun County data center just as mass teleworking brought on by the novel coronavirus is creating rising demand for the cloud.
By EMILY HOLTER, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)
Colonial Downs Group announced it will continue to pay all company employees at all locations throughout the end of April following Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order in which all entertainment and recreational businesses must close for a minimum of 30 days. Full- and part-time Rosie’s Gaming Emporium employees in New Kent, Vinton, Richmond and Hampton will receive pay ...
By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury
Three weeks ago, Virginia’s Democrat-led General Assembly passed the most ambitious plan for transitioning off of fossil fuels and onto renewable energy sources to come out of the South yet. . . . Then the new coronavirus hit, and the financial markets tanked.
By STEVE ROBERTS JR, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation will remain shuttered through the end of April and most hospitality workers will be furloughed as of April 11, according to a foundation news release. All employees making more than $50,000 or more annually, including senior managers, will see their pay cut and the highest paid managers will see their pay cut the most. The foundation is the second largest employer in the city of Williamsburg, according to a labor market information report from the Virginia Employment Commission.
By MAX SMITH, WTOP
Virginia and Maryland are making some tolling changes amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. In addition to expanding all-electronic tolling where possible, Virginia is planning to reduce the minimum amount required in E-ZPass accounts from $35 to $20 within the next few days, Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine told WTOP.
By HENRI GENDREAU, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
Virginia Tech officials were pleasantly surprised last weekend when only 10% of students living in university housing returned to campus after an extended spring break. They’re still hoping more of them will leave. As fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus mount, university officials are offering another incentive for students to get out of Blacksburg.
By CRYSTAL VANDEGRIFT AND ALEXA MASSEY, Farmville Herald (Paywall)
A day after a second Longwood University student tested positive for the coronavirus, the university has decided to close its residence halls and require students to return home. In an email to Longwood University students, staff and faculty Wednesday, March 25, Longwood Assistant Vice President for Communications Matthew McWilliams announced the university would be closing its residence halls and requiring students to return home.
By PATRICIA SULLIVAN, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)
Getting tested for the coronavirus is not like getting a flu shot. People who are seeking a coronavirus test have to have a doctor’s referral and then have to pass the screening put in place by the hospital or clinic that’s doing the testing. Showing up without a note from a physician or the local or state health department will not only result in disappointment, it may also delay or prevent testing for first responders, health workers and people at a high risk for death...
By STAFF REPORT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
As the number of reported coronavirus cases in Virginia neared 500, state health officials posted information Thursday saying anyone who began feeling sick after March 18 may not yet be reflected in state data. The virus has now killed more than 1,000 in the United States, including 14 in Virginia, where unemployment claims last week topped 46,000 ...
By KATE ANDREWS, Va Business Magazine
A VCU Health liver specialist and gastroenterologist is leading clinical trials for a possible drug treatment for COVID-19 patients. This week, Dr. Arun Sanyal began testing remdesivir, an antiviral medication previously used experimentally to treat the Ebola virus, on several VCU Health System patients with moderate to severe cases of COVID-19.
By KATHERINE HAFNER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
The spiky proteins of the new coronavirus appear all over the place. From the evening news to this newspaper, close-up pictures of the proteins poking out of a sphere represent the virus at its most pared down. The virus gets its name from the crown-like points. But to Dr. William Petri, those proteins are more than an informative illustration. At his lab at the University of Virginia, he believes understanding them is key to unlocking a potential solution to the ongoing crisis.
By HANNAH NATANSON, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)
The federal government is waiving a policy that required students to come in-person to pick up free meals during school closures, after legislators and advocates said the rule was imperiling the health of children with compromised immune systems....One mother in Prince William County, whose 7-year-old daughter has a compromised immune system due to cancer treatments, said she woke each morning to an unbearable decision. “Do I get the food and risk my child’s life?” asked the single mother
By STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
A growing number of retailers are installing plexiglass barriers to protect its cashiers. The shields are being added at checkout lanes to protect employees and customers from a coronavirus infection.
By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
A fourth resident of Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare has died of COVID-19, this time at the skilled nursing care center in western Henrico County. Three previous deaths caused by the coronavirus disease occurred in local hospitals, but Dr. James Wright, chief medical officer at Canterbury, said the 75-year-old man died Thursday morning at the facility after the family requested that he not be transported to a hospital.
By SOPHIE KAPLAN, Washington Times
Loudoun County, Virginia’s health department reported the county’s first death from the novel coronavirus, a 70-year-old woman who was a teacher at a public school. Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Eric Williams sent an email to staff and families Thursday morning informing them of the woman’s death the previous night.
By ROB HEDELT, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)
Alicia Veil, a nurse who talks to patients and doctors over the Health Link phone lines for Mary Washington Healthcare, found her work life and private life converging. She knows how critical it is for doctors and nurses at MWH’s two hospitals to have respirator masks as they cope with ever-rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. And because Veil is a member of the Stafford Piecemakers Quilt Guild—a group with 90 or so members that meets regularly in North Stafford—she’s been sewing mask covers ...
By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)
One of the tasks that kept United Way chief operating officer Charvalla West scrambling Thursday was rushing food drive buckets to Ace Hardware stores in Hampton, Newport News and Williamsburg. The scramble was added to her long to-do list after Kevin Deamer, whose family owns the stores, learned that the United Way was worried the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank was having trouble securing enough for those who rely on it.
By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)
Virginia is not allowing any visitors at all to Eastern State Hospital in James City County, in an effort to keep patients and staff from exposure to the new coronavirus. There have been no cases at Eastern State or any other state hospital, said Meghan McGuire, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services spokeswoman.
By MEGAN PAULY, WCVE
School districts in Central Virginia are scrambling to make sure kids have access to food, as well as tools they need to learn, including technology. Even though online learning may not officially count as “seat time,” school leaders want to make sure students don’t lose what they’ve learned so far this year, and have the opportunity to advance academically even though school is out for the rest of the academic year.
Associated Press
Officials in Alexandria are warning patrons at one of the city’s most popular bars about exposure to the coronavirus. The Alexandria Health Department says a person who spent extensive time at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub has tested positive for the virus.
By PETER DUJARDIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
The chief federal judge overseeing the Eastern District of Virginia has put on hold nearly every federal court case in the district until early May because of coronavirus concerns.
By SALEEN MARTIN AND BROCK VERGAKIS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
President Donald Trump plans to visit Norfolk on Saturday to see off the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship that will head to New York to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
By FRANK GREEN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Officials with Virginia State Parks and Shenandoah National Park have announced further curbs on services and access in light of the COVID-19 epidemic. State parks remain open but effective Friday, overnight facilities and restrooms will be closed through April 30 — including all cabins, campgrounds, camping cabins and yurts, as well as restrooms and bathhouses.
By FATIMAH WASEEM, Reston Now
Despite strong recommendations from federal, state and county officials to cancel large gatherings due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Reston Association allowed social gatherings with more than 20 people to take place at The Lake House. The community building, which is located at 11450 Baron Cameron Avenue, is available for rent for weddings, birthday parties, and other events. Cars with license plates from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and other nearby states were spotted in the facility’s parking lot on the evening of Sunday, March 22.
By ASHLEY HOPKO, Reston Now
As Fairfax County officials adjust to digital meetings and remote work, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said he’s unsure how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect upcoming budget discussions. Changes to the protocol called to attention a shifting reality for public officials, Alcorn told reporters during an online meeting on Wednesday (March 25). “I think we are starting over for the FY2021 budget based on all the changes that have happened in the last few weeks,” he said.
By C. SUAREZ ROJAS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Henrico County officials bracing for a prolonged economic downturn are planning to remove a proposed 3% raise for county employees in a revised budget proposal for next year. Raises for teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public employees will not be included in the new financial plan ...
By MARK ROBINSON, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Ebony Goode’s son was born 14 weeks early in mid-January. An eviction notice from her South Richmond apartment complex arrived shortly after. She had just returned home from the hospital, where her son has spent the first two months of his life after entering the world at 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Fauquier Now
Local government has created an online “Fauquier County Covid-19 Information Response Hub.” County government’s GIS (graphic information systems) department built the site with collaboration from a range of agencies. The “Hub” includes links to “local, state, and federal authoritative information,” county GIS Director Dan Stell said.
By RANDI B. HAGI, Harrisonburg Citizen
Classrooms across Harrisonburg are eerily empty at a time that they normally would be electric with the excitement of spring and the beginning of the home stretch of another year of learning. And COVID-19’s disruption to student-and-teacher connections is only starting to become clear. “I think the shock is setting in – I’m not going to see my students,” said Sarah Gorman, a literacy and humanities teacher at the Great Oaks Academy, which is housed at Thomas Harrison Middle School.
Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday issued a plea to commonwealth residents, asking those with medical training who are willing to serve in a reserve capacity to volunteer for the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.
Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Earlier this month, news that Chesterfield County officials have begun moving nearly 200 county inmates from Riverside Regional Jail over concerns of inadequate medical care was a smart move. The other counties and cities that house inmates at the facility might want to consider doing something similar.
Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Numerous businesses deemed nonessential have closed across the state because of unprecedented statewide restrictions that are in place to contain the coronavirus pandemic. And local governments across the Richmond region are stepping up to alleviate some of the financial stress business owners and residents are facing.
By RUTH MCVOY MARTIN AND JULIE SECOR MCVOY, published in Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
We are terrified that the COVID-19 situation will lead to devastating outcomes. Most Americans understand the urgent need for social distancing, isolation and diligent hygiene. It will take all of us to stop the spread, but skeptics still need to be convinced of the dire urgency. We hope skeptics will consider this graph which shows the daily total number of confirmed cases (per million people, as of March 24) in China, South Korea, Italy, the United States and New York state.
Ruth McVoy Martin, a Norfolk resident, has served at senior executive management levels with NASA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Julie Secor McVoy is a biomedical research scientist with the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.
By BRITTANNY ANDERSON, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
After Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Rico, the James Beard Award-winning chef, Jose Andres, made it his mission to assist those in need. He packed his bags, flew to San Juan, and fed hospital workers, public safety officers and families in dire need of a hot meal. When asked why he was suited to help with disaster relief, Andres said, “Restaurants are chaos, (and) restaurant people — we manage chaos very well.
By RORY SMITH, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)
LEEDS, England — The problem, for Peter Critchley, is that the phone just keeps ringing. At least 30 calls a day, every day. Then there is the online backlog: He has 100 more requests on his website to wade through every evening. He has already added some 600 new customers, and more just keep coming. Suddenly, it seems, everyone wants a milkman.
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