Governor Northam says models are predicting a surge of coronavirus/COVID-19 cases in Virginia in May and that alternative care sites at convention centers are being prepared in the state's high population centers in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and the Richmond area.
The Army Corps of Engineers will be evaluating sites in Charlottesville and Roanoke next week.
A shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) arrived from the national stockpile this week, but the governor says there is always the need for more, especially when the alternative care sites open. The state is also working with military and VA hospitals in case they have to take on civilian patients.
The state lab has doubled its testing capacity this week, and can now process about 200 tests a day. Testing is also being done by other private and hospital labs in the state.
State Health Commissioner, Dr. M. Norman Oliver, says of the 1,484 cases in the state today, 305 patients are currently hospitalized with 145 of those in ICU and 108 of those on ventilators. Dr. Oliver says the University of Virginia Data Science Institute is working on a model to specifically determine Virginia's anticipated case surge. That information should be ready to be released later this week.
The Governor reminded people that the best defense against the virus is to stay home and only venture out for necessities.
Northam also encourages Virginians to request an absentee ballot and vote via mail in the upcoming local elections in May and the Congressional primaries in June. Virginians are urged to fill out their US Census information as soon as possible. Information can be filled out online, by phone or by mail.
With several important religious holidays coming up in April for many different faiths, Northam suggested creating alternatives to customary gatherings such as online sermons or drive-in services where people stay in their cars.
More on this story from our media partner, ABC 13 -WSET.