Positive Coronavirus Test Rate In VA On Longest Sustained Decline

VIRGINIA — The rate of new coronavirus cases continues to drop as a large part of Virginia on Friday entered phase two of the state's reopening plan from the coronavirus. As part of phase two, which does not include Northern Virginia and Richmond, restaurants can reopen and offer indoor seating at no more than 50-percent occupancy.

Under phase two, the maximum number for gatherings will increase from 10 to 50 people. The gathering limit does not apply to employment duties. The requirement for wearing face masks at indoor public places will continue, as well as recommendations for social distancing and teleworking. Officials have not made a decision on when Northern Virginia will enter phase two of the reopening plan.

The Virginia Department of Health on Friday reported 676 additional cases of the new coronavirus, eight new deaths and 51 new hospitalizations. The latest cumulative totals are 48,532 cases of the coronavirus, 1,453 deaths and 5,008 hospitalizations. The eight new deaths in Virginia are one of the lowest daily increases in deaths from COVID-19 in several weeks.

The seven-day rate of positive tests for the state is 10.1 percent, not including antibody tests, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The seven-day rate has been declining steadily. Last Friday, the rate was 13.4 percent. The seven-day average for new cases has now been declining for six days straight, the longest sustained decline since the coronavirus crisis began.

The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association reported 1,266 people with pending or confirmed coronavirus test results currently hospitalized on Friday, down 61 from Thursday. A total of 6,392 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from hospitals.

As of Friday, 161 COVID-19 patients were using ventilators, down from 171 on Thursday. A total of 583 hospital patients are using ventilators as of Friday, up from 557 on Thursday. Total ventilator use among 2,959 available ventilators represents 20-percent use in Virginia. No hospitals are experiencing difficulty obtaining or restocking protective gear or other medical supplies in the next 72 hours.

The number of coronavirus cases at long-term care facilities totaled 5,183 as of Friday and the number of people who have died at these facilities has reached 821, or 56.5 percent of the state's total number of deaths from the coronavirus.

Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, one of the hardest hit long-term care facilities in the country, marked a recovery milestone Friday, with more than 100 residents and care team staff members now cleared of the coronavirus. More than 50 residents at Canterbury have died from COVID-19 since the start of the coronavirus crisis.

At the peak of the crisis in April, Canterbury, located in Henrico County west of Richmond, was without 69 members of its staff because of what Administrator Jeremiah Davis called “COVID-19 related issues and fears,” according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

“The number of recovered residents and team members continues to increase, giving us hope that the worst is behind us,” Davis said Friday in a statement, noting that cleared individuals have tested negative for the virus two times.

Davis cited the unwavering dedication and professionalism of the Canterbury team as a positive force over the past two months. “Day in and day out, our medical and nursing professionals, dietary department, housekeepers, laundry personnel, supply coordinators, department heads and countless others have been working around the clock to provide our residents with the very best care,” he said.

Fairfax County, the state's most populous jurisdiction, now has 11,904 positive cases and 410 deaths. Prince William County has the second highest number of cases, at 6,030, and 110 deaths.

Fairfax County officials warned residents Friday to beware of COVID-19 contact tracing scams. They told residents that Fairfax County Health Department officials conducting contact tracing will never ask for a person's Social Security number or bank account information.

Scammers pretending to be contact tracers are also sending people text messages that ask the recipients to click on a link in the text. Residents should avoid clicking on any link that looks suspicious, the officials said.

Here are the latest cumulative case updates for our coverage areas as of Friday:

• Alexandria: 2,045 cases, 203 hospitalizations, 45 deaths; increase of 14 cases and one hospitalization.
• Arlington County: 2,173 cases, 385 hospitalizations, 121 deaths; increase of 23 cases, one hospitalization and one death.
• Fairfax County: 11,904 cases, 1,401 hospitalizations, 410 deaths; increase of 89 cases, 15 hospitalizations and seven deaths.
• Fairfax City: 67 cases, seven hospitalizations, five deaths; no changes.
• Falls Church: 55 cases, 11 hospitalizations, eight deaths; no changes.
• Loudoun County: 2,837 cases, 175 hospitalizations, 67 deaths; increase of 43 cases and two hospitalizations.
• Manassas: 1,190 cases, 74 hospitalizations, 12 deaths; increase of 24 cases.
• Manassas Park: 343 cases, 35 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of four cases and one hospitalization.
• Prince William County: 6,030 cases, 519 hospitalizations, 110 deaths; increase of 98 cases and seven hospitalizations.
• Fredericksburg: 186 cases, 24 hospitalizations, no deaths; eight new cases.
• Spotsylvania County: 615 cases, 45 hospitalizations, seven deaths; increase of 22 cases and one hospitalization.
• Stafford County: 750 cases, 76 hospitalizations, five deaths; increase of eight cases.

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