Virginia's COVD-19 cases have been increasing, especially over the past week with more than 2,000 new cases a day each of the last few days. The state's positivity rate has also risen over the past few weeks from 5% to now over 7%. Hospitalizations for COVID are also up in the state.
These increases prompted Gov. Ralph Northam to implement new guidelines for businesses and residents this week:
- Maximum of 25 people in indoor gatherings
- No restaurant alcohol sales after 10 pm
- Mandatory mask usage in public areas for everyone age 5 and older
At a news conference today, Northam said seeing mobile morgues in use in other states also prompted him to order the new guidelines.
"We don't need that to happen in Virginia," Northam said.
The Governor asked Virginians to continue to wear face coverings, wash hands and avoid crowds.
"This is in your hands, Virginia. You know what to do," Northam said.
The State Health Commissioner, Dr. Norm Oliver, expects Virginia to receive its first shipment of coronavirus vaccines in mid-December with health care workers and first responders being the first to receive the vaccines.
Virginia has seen more than 208,000 COVID-19 cases so far with 3,860 deaths.
More on this story from our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.