The Shadow
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Health has reported a second death from COVID-19 in the Alleghany Health District.
Dr. Molly O’Dell, director of communicable disease control for the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts, said, “There is a confirmed death of a COVID-19 confirmed resident of the Alleghany Health District.”
O’Dell confirmed the death in an email Monday morning. No other details were provided.
Two people have now died in the Alleghany Health District from the COVID-19 virus. The first death occurred in late March.
In Virginia, 2,878 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by the Virginia Department of Health as of Monday. Monday’s number reflected an increase of 241 from Sunday. The virus was responsible for 54 deaths in Virginia as of Monday. Among those deaths are at least 20 residents of a Henrico County rehabilitation and health care center.
As of Monday afternoon, the number of cases in Alleghany County and the city of Covington remains at three.
Approximately 24,500 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Virginia.
In his Monday afternoon press briefing, Gov. Ralph Northam said genetic testing is giving health officials more insight into the virus.
“It appears that the virus was introduced in Virginia in multiple communities instead of being spread from one, single source,” he said.
The governor issued a stay-at-home order on March 30, and he urged persons who do leave their homes to wear facial covering and practice social distancing.
“Social distancing and hand washing are the most powerful weapons in this battle,” he said. “The more we stay at home, the safer we will be.”
Northam displayed a mask he wears while he is outside of state office buildings. The mask was made by the Virginia Department of Corrections.
And he said Virginians are taking heed of the need to stay at home and avoid public gatherings.
“This weekend, we did not see the crowds at our beaches and our state parks like we did last weekend,” Northam said.
Virginia, like other states, is facing a critical shortage of personal protective equipment for first responders and medical personnel.
Northam said a $27 million contract has been executed with a Virginia company, Northfield, for protective gear. The first shipment from Asia is expected to arrive early next week.
State officials have shipped 56,000 made-ready-to-eat meals to food banks across the state to address shortages. The meals are expected to last up to six months, the governor said.
Testing for COVID-19 remains an issue, and Northam said state officials are continuing to work on finding kits that will give medical personnel results within 15 to 30 minutes.
The governor has said models show that Virginia will not see its peak in cases until late April or early May.
Northam said almost half of the cases in Virginia involve people under the age of 50.
“I think Virginians are taking this seriously,” he said.
Gov. Northam provides updates on the Coronavirus to the press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
