Personal Protective Gear Arrives, 290 Virginia Coronavirus Cases

VIRGINIA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday the state received the first shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the national stockpile to protect personnel responding to the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. That gear, which includes masks, gowns and gloves, was distributed to health departments and other providers. The next shipment is expected next week.

"We know it will not be enough, and this is an issue nationwide," said Northam.

Northam says the state is following leads to buy personal protective equipment from other sources such as companies, and it has ordered a shipment from a company outside the U.S. The state is reaching out to different industries to see if their personal protective equipment could be available. The state must confirm the personal protective equipment is medical grade.

"We have some very promising leads from Virginia manufacturers about turning their production lines into producing PPE," said Northam.

In addition, Northam said a few distilleries are making hand sanitizer, while the Virginia Department of Corrections coordinated the production of 25,000 sneeze guard masks Monday and expected another 25,000 Tuesday.

Northam said hospitals are anticipating the need for more ventilators, and the state is working on sourcing more. Ventilators can be moved to areas where they're most needed, while Northam, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser agreed their jurisdictions will share ventilators if there's excess capacity.

In response to President Trump's statement that he wants the U.S. "opened up" by April 12, Northam reiterated his expectations for a longer timeline.

"While it would be nice to say this will be behind us in two weeks, that's not really what the data tells us," Northam said. "The data tells us that this will be with us for at least two to three months and perhaps even longer."

Cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, and another death was reported Tuesday. The Virginia Department of Health reported 290 cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths. The seventh death was reported in Virginia Beach. The patient was a man in his 70s who had underlying health conditions. Five of the six other deaths happened in southeast Virginia's Peninsula Health District; the other death was reported in Fairfax County.

"Our numbers, for a couple reasons, are going to keep going up. Our deaths, unfortunately, are going to keep going up," said Northam. "We have nowhere come close to hitting that peak of the curve, but if we continue to do what we're recommending, we will hopefully flatten that curve as much as we can."

He added that flattening the coronavirus curve will help ensure hospital beds, staffing and equipment are available for patients who need hospitalization.

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Northam reminded residents that additional restrictions under his executive order will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 and continue until at least Thursday, April 23. Public gatherings of more than 10 people are banned. The ban does not apply to gatherings involving health care or medical services, access to food banks and other essential services for low-income residents, operations of the media and law enforcement agencies and government operations.

Non-essential recreation and entertainment businesses must close by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday. That includes: theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues, museums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, racetracks, horse racing facilities, bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, trampoline parks and other forms of indoor entertainment. Salons, barber shops and other places where personal care services don't allow people to stay six feet apart must close.

Restaurants, food courts, farmers markets, breweries, distilleries, wineries and tasting rooms may stay open with take-out and delivery services only. Dine-in areas must close by the end of Tuesday. The executive order is a change from the previous allowance of up to 10 people in dining areas.

Violation of the order from a business may result in a Class 1 misdemeanor charge.

The following businesses are considered essential and can continue regular hours:

• Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores and department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations.
• Medical, laboratory and vision supply retailers.
• Electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets and other communications technology.
• Automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers as well as automotive repair facilities.
• Home improvement, hardware, building material and building supply retailers.
• Lawn and garden equipment retailers.
• Beer, wine and liquor stores.
• Retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores.
• Retail located within healthcare facilities.
• Banks and other financial institutions with retail functions.
• Pet stores and feed stores.
• Printing and office supply stores.
• Laundromats and dry cleaners.

The governor's order also closed K-12 schools through the end of the academic year. The Virginia Department of Education is issuing guidance to school divisions on planning continuity of learning. The guidance allows for options of additional instruction through summer programming, integrating instruction in coursework next year and allowing students to make up work. The state's education department will request a waiver from the federal government on end-of-year testing requirements. It is looking at options to waive state mandated testing, notably Standards of Learning (SOL).

SEE ALSO: Virginia Coronavirus Updates: Things To Know For Week Of March 22