COVID-19 in Virginia: LIVE updates for Friday, April 24

RICHMOND, Va. -- In an effort to provide accurate, easy-to-read information on the on-going COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on our community, WTVR.com will update this post with the day's local coronavirus headlines and statistics.

COVID-19 IN VIRGINIA (Scroll to bottom for U.S. stats)

Positive Tests: 11,594 (+596 from Thursday)
People Hospitalized: 1,837 (+84 from Thursday)
COVID-19-Linked Deaths: 410 (+38 from Thursday)
People Tested: 69,015 (+4,497 from Thursday)

CITY/COUNTY-BY-COUNTY BREAKDOWN OF CASES

Accomack: 100 (+24)
Albemarle: 72 (+1)
Alleghany: 5
Alexandria: 547 (+35)
Appomattox: 12
Arlington: 722 (+36)
Amelia: 15
Amherst: 9
Augusta: 34 (+1)

Bedford: 23 (+2)
Bristol: 1
Botetourt: 27 (+1)
Brunswick: 14 (+1)
Buchanan: 12
Buckingham: 31
Buena Vista City: 5

Campbell: 10
Caroline: 21
Carroll: 3
Charles City: 12
Charlotte: 8
Charlottesville: 45 (+1)
Chesapeake: 197 (+11)
Chesterfield: 423 (+21)
Clarke: 7
Colonial Heights: 41
Covington: 1
Craig: 2
Culpeper: 90 (+6)
Cumberland: 10

Danville: 31
Dinwiddie: 12

Emporia: 18
Essex: 3

Fairfax: 2,534 (+172)
Fairfax City: 26
Falls Church: 24 (-1)
Fauquier: 73 (+9)
Floyd: 1
Fluvanna: 72
Franklin City: 15
Franklin County: 19 (+2)
Frederick: 87
Fredericksburg: 21 (+1)

Galax: 1
Giles: 4
Gloucester: 21
Goochland: 69 (+6)
Greene: 10
Greensville: 30

Halifax: 16 (+3)
Hanover: 100 (+1)
Hampton: 99
Harrisonburg: 355 (+9)
Henrico: 729 (+11)
Henry: 12 (+2)
Highland: 1
Hopewell: 19

Isle of Wight: 91

James City: 150 (+1)

King George: 23 (+2)
King and Queen: 2
King William: 3

Lancaster: 1
Lexington: 3
Lee: 8 (+1)
Louisa: 38
Loudoun: 529 (+31)
Lunenburg: 3
Lynchburg: 48 (+1)

Madison: 14
Manassas City: 137 (+10)
Manassas Park: 38 (+4)
Mathews: 3
Mecklenburg: 74 (+3)
Middlesex: 3
Montgomery: 50

Nelson: 7
New Kent: 20
Newport News: 107 (+2)
Norfolk: 141 (+5)
Northampton: 15 (+3)
Northumberland: 6
Norton: 2
Nottoway: 10 (+2)

Orange: 22

Page: 30 (+8)
Patrick: 2 (+1)
Petersburg: 27
Pittsylvania: 11
Poquoson: 6
Portsmouth: 100 (+2)
Powhatan: 9
Prince Edward: 34 (+5)
Prince George: 29
Prince William: 1,110 (+83)
Pulaski: 10 (+1)

Radford: 2
Rappahannock: 1
Richmond City: 267 (+8)
Richmond County: 66
Roanoke City: 33 (+5)
Roanoke County: 39 (+5)
Rockbridge: 5
Rockingham: 176 (+13)
Russell: 2

Salem: 8
Scott: 5
Shenandoah: 65 (+7)
Smyth: 13
Spotsylvania: 97 (+3)
Southampton: 75 (+4)
Stafford: 193 (+13)
Staunton: 10
Suffolk: 138 (+2)
Surry: 4
Sussex: 28 (+3)

Tazewell: 4

Virginia Beach: 331 (+3)

Warren: 36 (+6)
Washington: 30
Waynesboro: 10 (+1)
Westmoreland: 14
Winchester: 31 (+1)
Williamsburg: 14
Wise: 20
Wythe: 11

York: 43

*NOTE: This data is provided from the Virginia Department of Health daily at 9 a.m. Officials said their cutoff for data is 5 p.m. the previous day. So your local health department may have issued an alert about a case before it is added to the statewide tally released the following day.

NEWS CONFERENCES

Gov. Ralph Northam's 2 p.m. COVID-19 briefing
President Donald Trumps's coronavirus task force briefing (slated for 5 p.m.)

COVID-19 LOCAL HEADLINES

Gov. Northam to 'layout blueprint' for 'how we move forward'
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam will hold a 2 p.m. news conference on Friday updating his administration’s latest efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Commonwealth. More here.

Virginia reports 8 new COVID-19 outbreaks Friday
Health officials are investigating 176 outbreaks of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, according to Virginia Department of Health (VDH) data released Friday. That is an increase of eight outbreaks since Thursday's report. More here.

'Very simple' COVID-19 self-testing site opens in Central Virginia
A COVID-19 self-testing site opened Thursday at a Central Virginia Rite Aid in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). More here.

New COVID-19 scam targets students
The Better Business Bureau has a warning for students during this COVID-19 pandemic, scammers are working around the clock trying to take your money. The latest scam comes in the form of a student loan forgiveness email. More here.

How some uninsured Richmonders can get tested for COVID-19 for free
Uninsured residents of three Richmond communities will be to be able to receive a free COVID-19 test at three walk up testing centers next week. More here.

Virginia extends ban on non-emergency surgeries by one week
Gov. Ralph Northam says he will extend a ban on non-emergency surgeries for another week.More here.

Rep. Spanberger outlines support for small businesses and nursing homes in new relief package
As Virginians navigate dramatic changes due to COVID-19, many have questions about relief money, unemployment and the safety of loved ones, especially at nursing homes. More here.

Fewer crashes, improved air quality in Richmond during shutdown
New data compiled by researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed fewer car crashes and improved air quality in the River City.More here.

Program helps people fighting addiction while quarantined
Being quarantined has taken a toll on many people, but it can be particularly difficult for those fighting alcoholism and substance abuse. More here.

Therapy helps save Midlothian man with COVID-19: ‘This disease is evil’
Joe Rodriguez survived his battle with COVID-19. “This disease is evil," the Midlothian man said. “I was in fear of my life. I just didn’t know what was going on. You feel so weak it’s like you’re helpless." Read more.

90-year-old COVID-19 patient recovers in Henrico nursing home
Anne Maliff is finding some peace knowing her 90-year-old mother is now recovering from COVID-19. Pauline Mitchell was diagnosed with COVID-19 three weeks ago while a patient at Beth Sholom Rehabilitation Center in western Henrico County. Read more.

WTVR

Chesterfield auto shop giving back to first responders: ‘They’re risking their lives’
A Chesterfield car repair shop is giving back to the first responders and healthcare workers who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. More here.

RVA YouTube stars spread positivity during pandemic
A Richmond-based YouTube star couple is not letting the COVID-19 pandemic keep them from making big moves and spreading positivity.More here.

Contractor offers to donate crawlspace installation to family in need
While many families are spending much more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, a local contractor is donating their services to a family in need.More here.

Chesterfield law enforcement delivers donuts to hospital workers
A motorcade of Chesterfield law enforcement officers showed their gratitude to health care workers at Johnston-Willis Hospital Friday morning. More here.

Petersburg church distributes weekly meal boxes
A Petersburg Church is helping serve the community through distributing 'Hope Boxes' to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. More here.

Property managers raise funds for struggling families
Local property manager Jean Johnson knows the angst many families are feeling. She started taking distress calls weeks ago when layoffs began and tenants started losing income. More here.

'ARTsolation' -- Families' stay-at-home art projects bring 'warmth and love'
“We had been talking over conference calls how a lot of us have seen different art installations in people’s yards, and thought it would be kind of cool idea to create a virtual exhibit where we could document these things and put them on a website for people to enjoy from their own homes,” Rob Steele said. More here.

Parole worker hopes to raise $50K for Canterbury nurses
“I thought if I was a nurse, I’d like to be tipped," Blake Saunders explained. "I’d like somebody to give me a chunk of change, even if it’s just to get a tank of gas or a steak dinner or whatever." More here.

Richmond International Film Festival moves online for live discussion series
While The Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) has been postponed due to COVID-19, the producers of the yearly event have been working to create an online experience to highlight the festivals film makers, musicians, and special guest speakers. More here.

Landlord chooses not to collect rent: 'A blessing from God'
Thrift store owners in Colonial Heights say they were struggling to keep their operation going when they received an unexpected and appreciated surprise from their landlord. More here.

Lazy Daisy saved her life, she won't let the virus kill it
“It's just a different world," Michelle Leshok said. “Like it's just like a ghost town. Thursday to Sunday it is usually packed.” More here.

Some businesses surviving while Virginia unemployment increases
“What's going on now is really extraordinary and something that I don't think anybody ever foresaw,” ACME Co-President Ron Attman said. More here.

Richmond restaurants cope with COVID to stay open
On this week's "Eat It, Virginia!" podcast, Robey and Scott continue to focus on the people keeping their restaurants open amid COVID-19 uncertainty. More here.

We're Open and socially distant: Richmond restaurants navigate COVID-19
As Virginia restaurants either close or adapt to social distancing, Robey and Scott focused this week's Eat It, Virginia podcast on the people who continued to run their restaurants with the hope of providing for both their restaurant families and the communities in which they serve. More here.

Explore Virginia's museums, zoos, and historical sites through these virtual experiences
As Virginians adjusts to social-distancing measures and businesses and institutions close their doors, online learning experiences are growing in importance. And in the Commonwealth, there's no shortage of online, interactive learning experiences. From exploring the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts collections to interacting with animals at the Virginia zoo to an online stroll through Lewis Ginter Botanical gardens, kids and adults alike can explore the state's treasures from the comfort of their own homes. More here.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: COVID-19 HEADLINES (App users, click here for complete list.)

LATEST COVID-19 U.S. AND WORLDWIDE STATS