Governor Northam's COVID-19 Briefing - 12/10/2020

Virginia’s statewide positivity rate is now at 11%, meaning that it has almost doubled in the last month.
Increased guidelines, including a new, modified, Stay at Home order, will go into effect at 12:01am on Monday, December 14, 2020.

Case numbers are worse now than they were at the previous “peak” of the virus in May.
Hospitalizations have increased statewide by more than 80% in the last 4 weeks.
The Southwest region is nearing maximum capacity for ICU beds.
The biggest issue facing Virginia hospitals right now is staffing.
The National Guard will remain in Virginia to assist with testing through March of 2021.

Starting at 12:01am Monday, December 14, Virginia will go into a modified Stay at Home order.
Virginians are asked to stay at home between the hours of 12:00am and 5:00am.
- Excludes those commuting to and from work.
Governor Northam encourages Virginians to stay at home whenever possible during the day.
Masks are required indoors at all times, as well as outdoors whenever a distance of at least six feet from others is not possible.
Includes sporting events and workplaces.
Social gatherings will now be limited to 10 people, which is reduced from the previous 25 person limit.
Restaurant capacity limits will remain in place.
- Bars will stay closed, and no alcohol sales will take place after 10:00pm.
- Tables must be at least six feet apart.
- Masks must be worn whenever moving around the restaurant, and by all restaurant workers.
All Virginians are encouraged to telework or work from home whenever possible.
These measures will remain in effect through January 31, 2021.
The VDH and ABC have seen compliance rates with new restrictions of about 90%.
- The most cases of non-compliance have been with face coverings, and have occurred in businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores.
Enforcement of new protection measures will continue to be ramped up.
- This includes the suspension of licenses for businesses that are found to be in violation of COVID-19 protection measures.

New restrictions will not currently change protocols for schools, or colleges and universities.
Spectators for recreational sports will be limited.
- 25 people per field or court for indoor sports.
- 2 guests per player for outdoor sports.
- All spectators and coaches are required to wear a mask.
- Governor Northam encourages schools to consider moving sports outside whenever possible.

Governor Northam encourages faith leaders to lead their communities by example, by encouraging outdoor or virtual worship.
Most places of worship have “done the right thing” as far as social distancing and mask wearing, but those that are not following these guidelines are proving to be significant centers of community spread.

The Pfizer vaccine is already being deployed in the United Kingdom, and the FDA is meeting today to take action on it’s approval in the US.
If approved, we can expect the Pfizer vaccine to begin to be deployed in Virginia within 24 to 48 hours of approval.