At a news conference today, Gov. Ralph Northam outlined plans for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Virginia.
Northam says the first shipment of about 70,000 vaccines is expected in mid-December.
In the first phase, health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities will receive the vaccine, which will be given in two doses about three weeks apart.
As more vaccines become available, Northam says the second phase will include critical infrastruture staff and those with high-risk medical conditions. The third phase will include the general public.
Northam says it will take several months to get the vaccine distributed to all Virginians, so he urges residents to continue to wear face coverings when out in public, limit social gatherings, avoid crowds, wash hands, and maintain social distancing.
Current Virginia Department of Health statistics show there have been 242,480 cases of COVID-19 in the state with 4,113 deaths. The current positivity rate stands at 8.3%, up from about 5% a month ago.
Currently 1,860 people are hospitalized in Virginia with COVID-19, with 427 of those in ICU and 188 on a ventilator.
More on this story from our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.