RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. Friday to update the latest on his administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. CBS 6 will carry the news conference live on-air and online.[Click here to watch live]
Friday marks one week since most of Virginia began Phase One of the reopening process.
Northam has said Phase One will last at least two weeks, but he is not expected to announce today if Virginia will begin Phase Two next week. At Wednesday’s news conference, he said he had not picked a date to make that decision, but added he would be looking at the same data that allowed Phase One to begin.
“Obviously, we're watching every day, the trends and now we're, what, five days into Phase One,” Northam said Wednesday. “So, you know, we will continue to watch in the next few days over the weekend and then obviously, you know, with a few days notice, we will let people know whether we're going to go into Phase Two.”
This also marks the last week that Governor Northam intends to hold news conferences on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Starting next week, Northam said he will begin holding news conferences on Tuesday and Thursday. The time of the news conference will remain at 2 p.m.
New #COVID19/#coronavirus testing numbers for Virginia.
— Cam Thompson (@CamThompsonCBS6) May 22, 2020
PCR Tests: 223,433 (+6,543)
7-Day %/+: 14.7% (+0.3%)
Total tests: 249,940 (+7,983)
7-Day %/+: 13.2% (0%)@CBS6 pic.twitter.com/eKGuGnF6yk
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for the most complete coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.