NewsCoronavirus

Actions

First COVID-19 cases reported in these Virginia localities Sunday

Posted at 9:54 AM, Mar 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-29 12:51:02-04

RICHMOND, Va. – Six localities are reporting their first cases of COVID-19, according to Virginia Department of Health (VDH) data released Sunday.

Cases were reported for the first time in Alleghany, Greenesville, Manassas Park, Roanoke City, Tazewell and Wythe. A case in Emporia was also reported late Saturdayby local health officials, but that has not yet been added to the state's official tally. A new case was also reported Sunday in Petersburg. Acase in Petersburg was also reported by local health officials.

Officials said 151 more people tested positive for COVID-19 out of the 1,433 people tested since Saturday's update. That brings Virginia's total number of cases to 890.

Officials said 112 people remain hospitalized and 22 people have died as a result of COVID-19-related illnesses.

VDH data showed the coronavirus has most impacted people aged 50 to 69 since that group accounts for nearly 35 percent of cases.

"But we're also seeing cases in people in their 20s," Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Friday. "Ninety-three of the 604 cases are in the age range of 20 to 29 years."

In fact, Northam said that group accounts for 15 percent of cases in the state.

"There has been some talk, and I have seen activity around Virginia, that this only affects the elderly. Well, it doesn't. It affects all of us, "Northam said. "So take this seriously and please stay home."

Slightly more men have been infected by the virus at 464 cases versus the 417 cases reported in women.

Officials are investigating "distinct clusters" where there is "local transmission" of the virus in Virginia.

Those clusters include 187 cases in Fairfax County, 84 in Arlington County, 72 in Prince William County, 70 in James City County, 61 in Loudon County 49 in Virginia Beach and 40 in Henrico County.

City/County-by-County Breakdown of Cases

Accomack: 3 (+1)
Albemarle: 17 (+1)
Alleghany: 1 (new)
Alexandria: 25 (+5)
Arlington: 84 (+9)
Amelia: 1
Amherst: 2
Bedford: 2
Bristol: 1
Botetourt: 2 (+1)
Charles City: 1
Charlottesville: 12
Chesapeake: 15 (+8)
Chesterfield: 13 (+1)
Culpeper: 2
Danville: 4
Emporia: *1 (new -- from local health department)
Fairfax: 187 (+31)
Fauquier: 6
Fluvanna: 3
Franklin County: 1 (+4)
Frederick: 8 (+4)
Fredericksburg: 1
Galax: 1
Gloucester: 6
Goochland: 6 (+1)
Greene: 1
Greenesville: 1 (new)
Halifax: 1
Hanover: 4 (+1)
Hampton: 7
Harrisonburg: 5
Henrico: 40 (+9)
Hopewell: 1
Isle of Wight: 3
James City: 70 (+5)
Lancaster: 1
King George: 2
Lee: 2
Louisa: 7 (+1)
Loudoun: 61 (+7)
Lynchburg: 3 (+1)
Madison: 3
Manassas City: 5 (+1)
Manassas Park: 1 (new)
Mathews: 2
Mecklenburg: 4
Montgomery: 1
Nelson: 2
New Kent: 1
Newport News: 17 (+4)
Norfolk: 14 (+4)
Northampton: 1
Northumberland: 2
Nottoway: 1
Orange: 1
Pittsylvania: 1
Poquoson: 2
Portsmouth: 4
Powhatan: 1
Prince Edward: 2
Prince George: 4 (+2)
Prince William: 72 (+16)
Radford: 1
Richmond City: 25 (+5)
Roanoke City: 1 (new)
Roanoke County: 2
Rockbridge: 2
Rockingham: 4
Shenandoah: 4 (+1)
Spotsylvania: 5 (+2)
Southampton: 1
Stafford: 13 (+2)
Suffolk: 1
Tazewell: 1 (new)
Virginia Beach: 49 (+14)
Warren: 2
Washington: 2 (+1)
Winchester: 1 (new)
Williamsburg: 6 (+1)
Wythe: 1 (new)
York: 9
Williamsburg: 7 (+1)

*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.

COVID-19 Precautions

Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.

COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person.

Virginia health officials urged the following precautions:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Avoid contact with sick people.
  • Avoid non-essential travel.

Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for the most complete coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.