COVID-19 in Virginia: LIVE updates for Saturday, April 4

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: 2,407 (+395 from Friday)
People Hospitalized: 390 (+78 from Friday)
COVID-19-Linked Deaths: 52 (+6 from Friday)
People Tested: 21,522 (+2,517 from Friday)

CITY/COUNTY-BY-COUNTY BREAKDOWN OF CASES

Accomack: 8
Albemarle: 27 (+1)
Alleghany: 2
Alexandria: 68 (+12)
Arlington: 150 (+15)
Amelia: 6 (+1)
Amherst: 6
Augusta: 7 (+3)
Bedford: 4 (+1)
Bristol: 1
Botetourt: 14 (+6)
Brunswick: 1
Buckingham: 4 (+1)
Buena Vista City: 1
Campbell: 2
Caroline: 1
Carroll: 1
Charles City: 4
Charlotte: 1 (new)
Charlottesville: 21 (+4)
Chesapeake: 65 (+15)
Chesterfield: 106 (+17)
Clarke: 2
Covington: 1
Culpeper: 8 (+1)
Cumberland: 2 (+1)
Danville: 12 (+3)
Emporia: 2 (+1)
Fairfax: 387 (+15)
Fauquier: 10 (+1)
Fluvanna: 5
Franklin City: 4 (+1)
Franklin County: 10 (+1)
Frederick: 24 (+4)
Fredericksburg: 7 (+3)
Galax: 1
Gloucester: 9 (+1)
Goochland: 10 (+2)
Greene: 2 (+1)
Greenesville: 4
Halifax: 1
Hanover: 12
Hampton: 39 (+10)
Harrisonburg: 22
Henrico: 174 (+62)
Henry: 3
Hopewell: 9 (+2)
Isle of Wight: 18 (+7)
James City: 111 (+7)
King George: 8 (+2)
King and Queen: 1
King William: 1
Lancaster: 1
Lexington: 3 (+1)
Lee: 2
Louisa: 13 (+1)
Loudoun: 150 (+ 20)
Lynchburg: 10 (+1)
Madison: 2
Manassas City: 14 (+1)
Manassas Park: 2
Mathews: 2
Mecklenburg: 8 (+1)
Montgomery: 6 (+5)
Nelson: 2
New Kent: 8 (+2)
Newport News: 48 (+11)
Norfolk: 55 (+12)
Northampton: 2
Northumberland: 3
Nottoway: 1
Orange: 5 (+1)
Page: 2
Petersburg: 10 (+2)
Pittsylvania: 2 (+1)
Poquoson: 3
Portsmouth: 26 (+9)
Powhatan: 4
Prince Edward: 3 (+1)
Prince George: 16 (+6)
Prince William: 159 (+28)
Pulaski: 1
Radford: 1
Richmond City: 96 (+20)
Roanoke City: 10 (+1)
Roanoke County: 5 (+1)
Rockbridge: 3 (+1)
Rockingham: 15 (+4)
Salem: 1
Shenandoah: 10
Smyth: 2
Spotsylvania: 18 (+7)
Southampton: 5 (+1)
Stafford: 38 (+9)
Staunton: 1 (new)
Suffolk: 20 (+10)
Surry: 3
Sussex: 3 (+1)
Tazewell: 2
Virginia Beach: 160 (+32)
Warren: 4
Washington: 3
Waynesboro: 2 (-1)
Westmoreland: 2 (+1)
Winchester: 10 (+1)
Williamsburg: 10 (+1)
Wythe: 2
York: 19 (+2)

*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

President Donald Trumps's coronavirus task force briefing

COVID-19 LOCAL HEADLINES

Virginia COVID-19 cases top 2,400

Health officials said 395 more people tested positive for COVID-19 out of the 2,517 people tested since Friday's update. That brings Virginia's total number of cases to 2,407.

As of Saturday's update, 390 people remain hospitalized and 52 people have died as a result of COVID-19-related illnesses, according to VDH data. More here.

Coronavirus deaths top 8,000 in US out of nearly 300,000 cases

The number of COVID-19 related fatalities in the United States has topped 8,000 on Saturday, with nearly 2,000 deaths alone reported in the last 24 hours, according to data provided by Johns Hopkins University. The cumulative number of US deaths have quadrupled in the last week.More here.

Chesterfield assisted living facility employee tests positive for COVID-19

Officials with Lucy Corr, which is home to more than 200 nursing home residents, 48 assisted living residents and 100 independent living residents, said a full-time nursing employee at assisted living tested positive for COVID-19 on March 31. More here.

DC surpasses 900 coronavirus cases

The District of Columbia has announced 145 new positive infections from the COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing the total up to 902, with six new deaths bringing the total to 15. More here.

Nursing home reports 17th death; resident and staff COVID-19 cases climb to 116

Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, the site of the largest COVID-19 cluster in Henrico County, reported its 17th COVID-19 related death Friday.

"It is with heavy hearts that Canterbury reports the death of one COVID-19 positive patient over the last 24-hour period. In total, the virus has claimed the lives of 17 patients" a spokesperson for the center wrote in an email. More here.

Why parking lots were closed at these Richmond parks: 'No one wants to be cooped up'

Parking lots at multiple James River access points in Richmond were closed for the first time this weekend. More here.

How Richmond students can tell future generations about coronavirus impact

Central Virginia’s response to trying to contain the coronavirus is unprecedented in modern history with school closures, business shut downs, and stay at home orders. The Valentine Museum wants to capture the perspective of Richmond students by documenting their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives on the impact of the virus. More here.

Gov. Northam encourages Virginians to wear masks in public

The Centers for Disease Control on Friday recommended the voluntary use of non-surgical masks in public as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread.

However, Virginia has a law on the books preventing the wearing of masks due to criminal activity.

"We know that during times such as these, people are going to need to protect themselves, whether they have symptoms or not. No law enforcement will bother anybody because they have a covering on their face, I can assure you of that,” said Governor Ralph Northam at his COVID-19 briefing Friday. More here.

Richmond Convention Center to serve as Central Virginia 'alternative care site'

Gov. Ralph Northam said the Richmond Convention Center, Hampton Roads Convention and the Dulles Expo Center will serve as COVID-19 "alternative care sites" in Virginia based on recommendations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. More here.

Northam orders hiring freeze, agency heads to look for cuts

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is instituting a hiring freeze of state employees and is telling agency heads to look for ways to cut budgets in response to the coronavirus. More here.

Virginia budget proposal could drastically reduce emergency room funding

At a time when emergency room doctors are putting their lives on hold, and often their own health at risk, Virginia’s Governor must consider a budget amendment that could penalize them for seeing patients they aren’t allowed to turn away. More here.

Small business owners face 'nightmare' situation

Concerns from small business owners are growing as the government prepares to launch a $359 billion loan program meant to help small businesses in need of financial assistance due to COVID-19. More here.

Northam: Don't make me close state parks because of 'irresponsible people

With another weekend approaching, Gov. Ralph Northam urged Virginians not to gather in large groups in the state’s parks, wildlife preserves, and other public lands or he may decide to close them down.

“Do not gather in groups. We will be watching this weekend,” said Northam. “I do not want to have to close these lands to public visitation because of a few irresponsible people.” More here.

Redskins rescind Richmond's revenue

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced on Thursday that the city and the Washington Redskins reached an agreement that will eliminate the money Richmond pays the team for its training camp expenses. More here.

Northam announces emergency funds to shelter homeless during COVID-19 pandemic

Governor Ralph Northam announced Friday a $2.5 million emergency fund to shelter Virginia’s homeless population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we battle this unprecedented public health crisis, we must make sure no one is left behind,” Northam said. “I have issued a statewide Stay at Home order, but we know there are many Virginians with no home to stay in. With this funding, we will ensure people experiencing homelessness have access to immediate housing options and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.” More here.

How you can help food pantry struggling to keep up with demand

The Colonial Heights Food Pantry has been dedicated to feeding families for more than a decade, but now organizers say they're struggling to keep up with the increased demand in light of the coronavirus pandemic. 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