Positive Coronavirus Cases Top 60K In Virginia As Phase 3 Nears

VIRGINIA — The Virginia Department of Health reported 624 additional cases of the coronavirus on Friday, an increase of almost 200 cases from the number reported Thursday. Officials also reported 25 new deaths from COVID-19 deaths, up from the 14 new deaths reported statewide Thursday.

The 624 new cases reported overnight is the highest daily increase since June 6 when the state reported 865 new cases, according to VDH data. The latest cumulative totals for all of Virginia are 60,570 positive cases, 6,071 hospitalizations and 1,700 deaths.

As of Friday, 603,870 tests (excluding antibody tests) have been completed in Virginia, an increase from the 590,404 tests reported Thursday. As the overall number of positive coronavirus test results in Virginia grows, data from the VDH coronavirus dashboard shows the percentage of positive results from testing is down.

The seven-day average for percentage of positive test results was at 5.8 percent as of June 22, which is the most recent figure provided by the VDH. That’s down from a peak of 22.2 percent on April 19.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that the state would be entering phase three of its reopening plan on July 1 after seeing several weeks of sustained downward movement of key health metrics. In recent weeks, though, other states have a seen a resurgence of positive coronavirus cases as they've lifted restrictions.

In an informal survey of Patch readers, opinions were split on whether the state is ready to start phase three of reopening on July 1. Results of the survey, conducted Wednesday and Thursday, showed "yes" responses in favor of reopening on July 1 edging out the "no" responses 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent.

Northam has said he would consider reversing course and reimposing restrictions if Virginia sees a spike in cases similar to other states after entering phase three.

The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, as of Friday, reported 854 people were hospitalized for COVID-19, the same number of people who were reported hospitalized on Thursday. An additional 50 coronavirus patients were discharged from Virginia's hospitals, increasing the total number to 7,868 people who have been discharged after being hospitalized.

As of Friday, there were 99 pending or confirmed COVID-19 patients on ventilators, down from 104 on Thursday. Among all Virginia hospital patients, 571 of 3,027 available ventilators are being used, representing 19 percent use. No hospitals are reporting difficulty obtaining or restocking personal protective gear or other medical supplies within the next 72 hours.

Meanwhile, of the state's 1,700 deaths linked to the coronavirus, more than half, 912, have been in Northern Virginia. Fairfax County has had more than a quarter of the state's deaths, with 463 people dying from COVID-19.

Northern Virginia now accounts for 51.5 percent of the state's total number of positive coronavirus cases. The region's share of the total cases has been slowly declining in recent weeks. Here are the latest cumulative case updates for our coverage areas from Thursday to Friday:

• Alexandria: 2,287 cases, 237 hospitalizations, 56 deaths; increase of 16 cases, six hospitalizations and six deaths.
• Arlington County: 2,449 cases, 417 hospitalizations, 132 deaths; increase of four cases, one hospitalization and five deaths.
• Fairfax County: 13,653 cases, 1,598 hospitalizations, 463 deaths; increase of 42 cases, 12 hospitalizations and six deaths.
• Fairfax City: 69 cases, seven hospitalizations, seven deaths; no changes reported.
• Falls Church: 56 cases, 11 hospitalizations, seven deaths; one fewer case reported.
• Loudoun County: 3,806 cases, 261 hospitalizations, 88 deaths; increase of 67 cases and one death.
• Manassas: 1,379 cases, 95 hospitalizations, 16 deaths; increase of five cases and three hospitalizations.
• Manassas Park: 419 cases, 45 hospitalizations, five deaths; increase of two cases and one hospitalization.
• Prince William County: 7,107 cases, 645 hospitalizations, 138 deaths; increase of 43 cases, four hospitalizations and one death.
• Fredericksburg: 238 cases, 24 hospitalizations, no deaths; increase of two cases.
• Spotsylvania County: 945 cases, 72 hospitalizations, 28 deaths; increase of 14 cases, four hospitalizations and two deaths.
• Stafford County: 965 cases, 91 hospitalizations, five deaths; increase of 11 cases.

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