COVID-19 in Virginia: LIVE updates for Monday, June 29

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 COVID-19 Cases: 62,189 (+453 from Sunday)
People Hospitalized: 6,164 (+28 from Sunday)
COVID-19-Linked Deaths: 1,740 (+8 from Sunday)
Total Tests: 702,110 (+8,380 from Sunday)

*NOTE: This data is provided from the Virginia Department of Healthdaily 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. Get the latest charts and updated numbers from VDH here.

COVID-19 LOCAL HEADLINES

Fauci warns that US may not reach herd immunity levels even with a vaccine
Dr. Anthony Fauci warned Sunday that even if a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, it still may not yield herd immunity. Read more.

More COVID-19 patients discharged from Virginia hospitals
More than 35 additional COVID-19 patients have been discharged from Virginia hospitals in the last 24 hours, according to data from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA). Read more.

New COVID-19 outbreak reported Sunday
outbreaks at long-term care facilities with a total of 6,776 COVID-19 cases and 1,059 deaths. That is up 33 cases and 5 additional deaths from the previous day's report. Read more.

What to expect when Richmond moves into Phase 3 of reopening on July 1
Gov. Ralph Northam's face covering requirement in indoor public spaces will remain in place, but guidelines for social gatherings, businesses, venues, entertainment, and recreation centers have changed to allow for greater capacity. Read more.

Child tests positive for COVID-19 after possible exposure at Chesterfield daycare
A child has tested positive for COVID-19 after a possible exposure at a Chesterfield County daycare earlier this month.Read more.

Virginia is one of more than a dozen US states now requiring masks to be worn in public
With coronavirus cases ramping up in a number of US states, more than a dozen US governors have issued mandates to wear masks while in public settings.Read more.

About 40,000 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the US on Thursday, a new record
U.S. experienced its largest single-day increase in new COVID-19 cases on Thursday according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Read more.

COVID-19 cases are surging among young people
Coronavirus infections are climbing rapidly among young Americans in a number of states where bars, stores, and restaurants have reopened. Read more.

Northam: Virginia will enter Phase 3 on July 1
Phase Three of the reopening process will begin in Virginia on Wednesday, July 1, Governor Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. Northam said the decision comes as statewide numbers continue to trend in a positive direction. Read more.

$50m in CARES Act funding to help families with rent, mortgage payments
Virginia Ralph Northam is calling on Chief Circuit Court judges around the state to extend an eviction moratorium as appropriate in their locality. Read more.

US virus cases surge to highest level in 2 months
New coronavirus cases in the U.S. have surged to their highest level in two months and are now back to where they were at the peak of the outbreak. Read more.

Virginia hits lowest COVID-19 positivity rate milestone
Governor Ralph Northam seems to be pleased with Virginia's COVID-19 numbers. Read more.

State health officials tipped off to hundreds of COVID-19 mask violations
The Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 hotline has received 755 complaints related to COVID-19 mask violations since May 29. Roughly one-third of those complaints, according to VDH spokesperson, involve food and beverage establishments not following mask rules. Read more.

Richmond, Chesterfield address disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Hispanic, Latino communities
Richmond City and Chesterfield Health Districts are collaborating to expand outreach and services to Hispanic and Latino communities who may be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Read more.

Henrico grab-and-go meal distribution moving to summer schedule
Henrico County Public Schools’ “grab-and-go” meals distribution service will move to a summer schedule Monday, as will its mobile technology hubs and an information hotline designed to help families during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more.

Northam announces phased approach for school reopening
Governor Ralph Northam unveiled a phased reopening approach for preK-12 schools in Virginia.
“We know parents want to know what to expect this summer and in the fall, to be clear, all Virginia schools will open for students next year, but the school experience will look very different,” said Northam at a Tuesday press conference. Read more here.

Richmond, Henrico Health Departments release safety recommendations for protesters
The Richmond and Henrico Health Departments have released safety recommendations for those partaking in protests during the COVID-19 pandemic.More here.

How to find work during COVID-19 pandemic: 'People are still hiring'
some employers are still hiring during the global health pandemic. Here are some tips for finding works from experts. More here.

WTVR

Virginia Together Fund: Help families impacted by COVID-19
CBS 6 is announcing the creation of The Virginia Together Fund -- a partnership with Feed More and Mission From the Heart.
More here.

Dad teaches science lessons by making dinosaurs fly
Dinosaurs are soaring through the air once again! At least, they are at 5-year-old Finn Thomas’s house. More here.

'Virginia Graduates Together' will salute class of 2020 with musical performances, speeches
Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam will celebrate the commonwealth’s graduating seniors during a statewide virtual celebration. More here.

'Role model' high schoolers start innovative online education program for younger students
Life is anything but normal for school kids across Virginia. Many have struggled to keep up with distance learning, but four Maggie Walker honors students are helping through Project EngageRVA. More here.

Deep Run robotics team creates PPE
Deep Run High School’s Team 1086 Blue Cheese Robotics team had its winning 2020 season cut short because of the coronavirus. However, the group quickly pivoted and found a way to re-channel efforts to help the community. More here.

Free science kits help Richmond students learn at home
An educational nonprofit called Blue Sky Fund is distributing 1,500 free home science learning kits for students at Richmond Public Schools. Those kits are being handed out at Richmond Public Schools' meal distribution sites. More here.

Virginia woman hands out scholarships to high school seniors: 'They’re going to make it'
"It’s just my way of giving back to the community and helping young people because they need some encouragement. They need motivation," said Tracey McMillon. More here.

Virginia State Parks opening more beaches for recreation activities
Virginia State Parks’ tidal beaches are now open for recreation activities while inland lakefront beaches remain closed. More here.

Inside the Facebook Group guiding thousands of Richmond diners
In these uncertain times, people can take comfort in advice and guidance from others. That includes ideas on where to eat. More here.

New Richmond restaurant owner asks for help: 'We used our life savings'
A new Richmond restaurant is asking for help. Subconscious Cafe, located in the Fan, was forced to close days before its planned Grand Opening. More here.

Virginia Beach reopens, but it will be far from a normal day at the beach
If you’re hoping to use the Memorial Day weekend to swim, surf, sunbathe, or fish, you’re in luck. The Virginia Beach Oceanfront was set to open -- with restrictions -- on Friday. More here.

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

LATEST COVID-19 U.S. AND WORLDWIDE STATS