Governor Northam's COVID-19 Briefing - 1/14/2021

Despite the increasing distribution of the vaccine, Governor Northam stresses that all social distancing, hand washing, and face covering guidelines remain in place.

Following CDC vaccination guidelines, people age 65 and over, and those with co-morbid conditions, will be moved into Phase 1B.
- Many health districts have already begun administering vaccines to group 1B, but all districts are expected to be there by the end of January.
- This means that over half of Virginians are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
The number of vaccines being administered per day is steadily increasing throughout the entire state.
Pharmacies, high schools, and universities are partnering with the VDH to become vaccination clinics.
In order to reach Virginia’s goal of 50,000 shots per day, we need more infrastructure in the form of mass vaccination clinics.
- Adequate numbers of trained staff will be essential to the function of these clinics.
  - The goal is for these clinics to be staffed by the National Guard, VMRC volunteers, and other “contracted vaccinators”.
- Members of the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps are already volunteering at existing sites, and Governor Northam encourages anyone with previous medical experience to sign up.

The Department of Education is today changing its guidelines for local schools, to create a pathway for re-opening.
- This decision comes from the conclusion that all mitigation strategies (social distancing, mask wearing, and cleaning) can be done successfully in the school setting.
New guidelines will provide specific guidelines and data for mitigation strategies, as well as prioritization levels for in-person instruction.
The Virginia Education Association recommends that learning remain virtual until all teachers have been vaccinated.
- This is an essential step in safely bringing students and teachers back to the classroom.