Virginia Society of Plastic Surgeons
 

Governor Northam's COVID-19 Briefing – 5/22/2020

  • Friday, May 22, 2020

TOPLINE UPDATES

  • The Virginia Department of Health is launching a new program, COVID Check, so that those who think they may have COVID-19 can answer questions online to determine what their next steps should be.
    • The tool provides guidance based on symptoms, as well as providing resources for local testing locations.
  • Governor Northam reminds Virginians to continue to observe social distancing guidelines, as well as the "Safer at Home" order throughout Memorial Day Weekend.

FORWARD VIRGINIA PLAN: Phase One – Began Friday, May 15

  • The Northam administration and VDH continue to monitor data trends, especially in the Phase 0 areas of NOVA, Richmond, and Accomack County, to determine when Virginia can safely enter Phase 2.
  • Governor Northam stressed the importance of wearing face coverings in public for all Virginians.
    • This includes children of all ages.
  • More information on Phase 0 areas and their next steps will be shared on Tuesday.

HOSPITALS, PPE AND TESTING

  • Percent positivity in testing is at about 15% throughout the state, and is trending downward.
  • The number of tests being administered daily continues to increase, with large-scale community testing being conducted throughout the state.
  • There are 44 community testing events planned for next week, in both Northern Virginia and Richmond.
    • 17,500 tests are expected to be administered during these events.
  • 43 long term care facilities have completed point prevalence surveys, with the goal of all facilities throughout the state being surveyed.
    • 15 facilities are being surveyed next week, with 6,000 tests to be administered.
  • The VHHA is reporting the number of patients that have been treated in, and discharged from, their hospitals on their website.

COVID-19 CASES, STATISTICS AND MODELING

  • Total cases: 34,950
    • 813 new cases in the last 24 hour reporting period.
  • Total deaths: 1,136
    • 37 new deaths in the last 24 hour reporting period
  • There are 5,285 cases in the African American community, 22% of the total.
    • 234 deaths (24%)
  • The Latinx community has 10,977 cases, 47% of the total.
    • 90 deaths (10%)

OTHER TOPICS

  • The USDA has approved a Department of Social Services pilot program to allow SNAP recipients to use the benefits of the program when ordering groceries online.
    • Amazon and Walmart are both participating in the program, allowing SNAP recipients to place orders for both pick-up and delivery.
  • April's unemployment report showed Virginia at 10.6% unemployment.
    • 720,000 have filed for unemployment since the beginning of the pandemic response.
    • 44,000 new claims were filed this week.
    • A new VEC call center is opening this week with 315 new employees to help meet the increased need.
  • VPM is airing "Virginia Graduates Together", a program to celebrate class of 2020 graduates, next Friday.

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