The Shadow
RICHMOND — Virginia plans to ramp up testing for COVID-19 as it takes steps to prepare for reopening the state for business.
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday the formation of a task force that will coordinate testing across the state.
“We are steadily increasing our testing capacity in Virginia,” said Northam, in explaining that the coordinated effort will include state labs, private labs, universities and hospitals.
The task force will help ensure adequate testing capacity and supplies. The state will expand testing to all segments of the population as tests and supplies become available.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control will assist Virginia in its plans to expand testing by providing expertise and resources.
Northam reminded the public that under guidelines released by President Donald Trump on April 16, a state must have 14 consecutive days of a decline in COVID-19 case numbers before the initial phase of reopening for business can be implemented.
“Testing is the key to these next steps,” Northam said.
The Virginia Department of Health expanded the information on its website Monday to include COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths by locality.
Virginia reported 8,990 confirmed cases Monday, which was an increase of 453 from Sunday. Three hundred people in Virginia had died from COVID-19 as of Monday, up 23 from Sunday.
Those numbers include an additional case that was reported in Alleghany County Saturday, bringing the total to five cases in Alleghany County and one in the city of Covington.
No cases have been reported in Bath County at this point.
Long-term care facilities continue to account for most of the major outbreaks in Virginia. On Monday, those facilities accounted for 55 percent of the major outbreaks in the state and 26 percent of the deaths.
The state has increased testing in long-term care facilities as part of a strategy to mitigate the spread of the virus. The state is also advising nursing homes on how to best implement infection-control practices.
Highlands Task Force
The Highlands COVID-19 Task Force holds meetings on Tuesdays to allow participation in teleconferences with the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
Covington City Manager Krystal Onaitis said there continues to be low numbers of confirmed cases in the Highlands, through testing.
She said the Virginia Department of Health has begun communicating with health care providers to disseminate information on clinical diagnosis to aid in treatment and recovery time due to the lag time in testing.
“VDH and U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidance remains unchanged in that, all are encouraged to stay home as much as possible, maintain good personal and communal space hygiene, practice social distancing and wear cloth masks when out in public spaces — where social distancing could be compromised, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, doctor’s offices,” Onaitis said.
“The Highlands COVID-19 Task Force also wants to let each and every resident and business owner how we can remain #HighlandsStrong during this time by sticking together, practicing kindness and compassion,” she added.
The task force is reminding the public of efforts to assist the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Food
— Text “food” to 877-877 to see food distribution sites for information on Covington and Alleghany County school systems feeding programs.
— Call 1-855-635-4370 to see if you are eligible for emergency SNAP benefits.
— Contact the Salvation Army in Covington at 962-6206 for local assistance on emergency feeding programs.
Experiencing Symptoms
If you are concerned that you are experiencing symtoms of COVID-19:
— Call the Alleghany County-Covington Health Department at 962-2173 for general information on public health.
— To reach the regional COVID-19 VDH hotline, call 1-855-945-8378.
— Call an urgent care center or your primary care doctor if you have shortness of breath, fever and dry cough.
Seniors Needing Assistance
— Contact the Alleghany County-Covington Department of Social Services at 965-1780.
— Call 211 for the state resource hotline for all assistance programs and to speak with a state representative on support programs that may be available.
— Contact the Salvation Army at 962-6206.
“We also encourage seniors in need to contact their local church for support and/or assistance as many have community programs,” Onaitis said.
— Evictions cannot be executed in Virginia through April 26, according to the courts.
Landlords cannot legally force tenants out a home without an eviction.
— Persons having problems with landlords can call Virginia Legal Aid at 866-534-5243.
Mental Health/Addictions
— Call the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board at 965-2135 or 1-800-446-0128, for information and resources on support and counseling services.
— For intellectual/developmental disabilities call 965-2100.
— The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-784-2433.
— For LBGTQ issues please text 804-793-9999 (it is confidential).
Domestic Abuse
— Call 911. This is an emergency, even if you know the person well.
— Women can call Safehomes at 965-3237 for assistance.
— The National Hotline for Domestic Abuse is 1-800-799-7233.
Income Loss
— Call 1-866-832-2363 to apply for unemployment benefits.
— Call the Covington Virginia Employment Commission Office at 962-1151 for localized assistance with career counseling.
Supplies For Babies/Children
— Call 211 for the state resource hotline for all assistance programs and to speak with a state representative on support programs that may be available.
— Call 833-782-2229 to ask about free diapers.
— Contact the Alleghany County-Covington Department of Social Services at 965-1780.
“We also encourage mothers in need to contact their local church for support and/or assistance as many have community programs,” Onaitis said.
School Instruction Assistance
— Call Covington School Board Office at 965-1400.
— Call the Alleghany County School Board Office at 863-1800.
For more information on COVID-19, the following online resources are recommended, CDC website: www.cdc.gov/, or the VDH website: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/.
For those without Internet, VDH has a regional hotline 1-855-949-8378, as well as a state hotline, 1-877-ASK-VDH3.
Additional information on the Highlands COVID-19 Task Force can be found at: https://covington.va.us/highlands-covid-19-task-force/.
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Alleghany High School and Jostens held a drive-through cap and gown delivery for seniors Friday afternoon. Faculty and staff observed all recommended social distancing guidelines while delivering caps and gowns. Plans for Alleghany High School’s graduation ceremony are still being finalized and an announcement will be made when plans are available. Here AHS Senior Becca Gibson receives her cap and gown from Jostens representative Jeff Leach. (Photo Courtesy AHS Yearbook Staff)
