At the daily Governor's news conference, health officials reported 77 active cases of COVID-19/coronavirus currently in Virginia, up 10 from the previous day. An additional 65 tests are being processed.
State Health Secretary Daniel Carey says his department is working with the state's health care providers and hospital systems to determine what staff, supplies and equipment they have and what they will need. He says there are currently 2,000 ICU beds in the state with an additional 400 ventilators to be deployed where necessary. The state is also working with the federal government, manufacturers and suppliers to secure more equipment and supplies. The state lab expects to receive additional test kits this week.
The Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, Duke Storen, says his department is giving guidance to child care providers so they can remain open to help essential personnel such as medical staffs and first responders. Child care centers will have to abide by the 10-person rule of no more than a total of 10 children and staff in a single room, and will have to keep children six feet apart.
Governor Northam stressed the need for blood donations, saying that he will be donating blood this afternoon. Red Cross officials encourage people to go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment at a fixed blood donation site.
For state localities holding local elections in May, Northam says the State Board of Elections is encouraging increased absentee voting.
The state Department of Education is working on measures to give school systems flexibility for SOL testing and for high school seniors to qualify to receive their diplomas. They're also working with the federal government to ensure any testing modifications don't affect school accreditation. Northam says they will continue to assess the situation in regards to keeping schools closed. He says that so far no decision has been made about extending the closures beyond March 27.
Northam says he has been in contact with Virginia National Guard officials about utilizing the Guard for tasks such as food delivery, moving equipment, and helping to staff medial facilities, but no decisions have been made yet.
The Governor encourages any displaced workers, such as those in retail and restaurant services, to contact the Virginia Employment Commission as soon as possible to apply for unemployment benefits.
Governor Northam will continue to hold a live daily news update every day at 11:00 am: Gov. of Virginia Facebook Page
More information from our media partner ABC 13 - WSET.