PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia saw another jump of more than 100 new confirmed COVID-19 cases between Thursday and Friday, and its largest increase in hospitalizations in a day’s span due to the virus.
The Virginia Department of Health reports the commonwealth now has at least 604 confirmed cases, more than double Tuesday’s official count of 290 by VDH.
Hospitalizations shot up by 18 people, from 65 on Thursday to 83 on Friday.
VDH is reporting 14 deaths statewide and 7,337 people have been tested so far. 4,447 people had been tested Tuesday.
Friday night, a Henrico rehabilitation facility battling a coronavirus outbreak announced two more residents had died. They were “presumptive positive,” but the center has not yet said whether their cause of death was coronavirus.
Fairfax County also announced its second COVID-19 death Friday evening. The person was a male in his 60s who contracted the virus from traveling.
Data from VDH shows the virus is affecting people of all ages, and not just those 60 or above (who are considered at higher-risk). Nearly 50% of the cases are between the ages of 20 and 49, including 15.4% between the ages of 20-29.
More reading: (I’m Treating Too Many Young People for the Coronavirus — from The Atlantic)
As far as localities go, cases continue to rise in several health districts in the Tidewater area, including the Peninsula district, which has the highest concentration of cases outside of Northern Virginia and a majority of the state’s deaths due to the virus.
The Peninsula district has 83 cases total, with 55 cases in James City County, 12 in Newport News, 5 in Williamsburg, 9 in York County and 1 in Poquoson.
Here’s the breakdown of cases in our area as of Friday, March 27:
Accomack: 2
Chesapeake: 5
Gloucester: 3
Hampton: 5
Isle of Wight: 2
James City County: 55
Mathews: 1
Newport News: 12
Norfolk: 8
Northampton: 1
Poquoson: 1
Portsmouth: 3
Southampton: 1
Suffolk: 1
Virginia Beach: 29
Williamsburg: 5
York: 9
Tips from VDH on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid non-essential travel.
