VA Governor Seeks Federal Coronavirus Test Site, Forgoes Neckties

VIRGINIA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam wants the Trump administration to set up a federal testing site for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area that would be able to handle the large number of federal employees. The region is home to more than 360,000 federal workers, many of whom work in critical federal agencies, Northam said Friday in a coronavirus news briefing in Richmond.

Northam, along with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, have told President Donald Trump that the region needs special accommodation for testing and bed capacity to support the large population of federal employees.

"We're calling on the Trump administration to set up a federal testing site, specifically for the Virginia, D.C. and Maryland area," Northam said. "We are home to the majority of federal workers."

Trump spoke with the nation's governors on a conference call Thursday where many of the governors stressed the need for the federal government to address the shortage of personal protection equipment for health care workers, first responders and other front-line workers.

States are finding themselves bidding against hospital systems, other states and the federal government to acquire the necessary amount of PPE, which is driving up prices and distorting the allocation of the equipment, Northam said.

"The governors on that call repeatedly said that production and distribution of PPE really must be managed at the federal level," Northam said.

Several governors, including Northam, are urging Trump to use the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of personal protection equipment. "There is no time to waste," Northam said.

On Friday, Trump suggested he would invoke the Defense Production Act to force companies to produce needed equipment like ventilators.

In the meantime, Northam put a call out to private companies to donate PPE to the state. Companies can go online to a state website where they can make arrangements to donate protection equipment.

"The State of Virginia is still seeking to fill severe shortages of specific infection-control products, healthcare supplies, and other emergency relief offers of assistance," the website says. "If you have bulk amounts of personal protective equipment in stock, please indicate the type and amounts and whether this is a donation or for purchase. All equipment must meet OSHA, NIOSH, FDA, CDC or other appropriate federal standard."

In response to the growing need for more health care workers in the state, Northam said 650 people have signed up to volunteer with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps since he put out a call for volunteers two days ago. The Virginia Medical Reserve Corps is a force of volunteers who are prepared to support the community in the event of a public health emergency such as the coronavirus pandemic.

During the news briefing, Northam reiterated that all residents in the state should stay home if possible and singled out young adults who might not be taking the coronavirus seriously because they believe only older people can get infected. Out of the 604 positive cases of coronavirus in Virginia as of Friday, 93, or 16 percent, of them are people in the age range of 20 to 29, he noted.

"There has been some talk ... around Virginia that this only affects the elderly. Well, it doesn't. If affects all of us. So take this seriously and please stay home," the governor said.

Northam also reiterated that he expects localities to enforce orders he issued earlier in the week to shut down certain businesses and limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer.

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Virginia as they happen. Sign up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

Cases of the new coronavirus increased by more than 100 from Thursday to Friday, according to the latest count from the Virginia Department of Health. Cases are up to 604 statewide, with 83 of the patients hospitalized. The state reported 14 deaths.

The state's death total may not reflect the latest reports from localities. Loudoun County reported the death of a staff member with Loudoun County Public Schools Thursday. The death was Northern Virginia's second related to COVID-19; the first death was reported in Fairfax County last weekend.

The Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church City, has the most cases in the state with 124. The next highest numbers were 63 in Arlington County, 55 in James City County, 44 in Prince William County, 43 in Loudoun County, 29 in Virginia Beach, 28 in Henrico County, 18 in Alexandria and 17 in Richmond. Various other localities have reported cases of COVID-19.

Since he activated the Virginia National Guard on March 12, Northam said they have been focused on logistics, moving supplies across the state to health care facilities. His administration also has been working with the Army Corps of Engineers to identify excess hospital bed capacity in case the current supply of beds begins to run low.

On a lighter note, Northam closed the news conference with a story about why the men in his administration have been advised against wearing neckties. Northam said neckties harbor contagious pathogens. According to a 2004 study where researchers collected neckties and then took cultures from them, close to 50 percent of the neckties had infectious pathogens on them, he noted.

"In light of protecting my staff, keeping them healthy and also you may say being comfortable, I've asked them to keep their neckties in their closets," the governor said.

RELATED:

• Coronavirus Cases Surpass 600 In Virginia, 14 Deaths Reported
• VA Governor Orders Schools Closed For Rest Of Year: Coronavirus
• Inova's Blood Supply Need Will Continue; Extra Precautions Taken