Northam Plans To Extend Order For Non-Essential Business Closures

VIRGINIA — As the end date approaches for the Gov. Ralph Northam's order that closed non-essential recreation and entertainment businesses, the governor plans to extend the date. Northam has not set an end date for that extension, but an announcement is expected Wednesday.

Virginia's stay-at-home order is in effect through June 10, which includes a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The order that closed certain non-essential businesses and limited restaurants to takeout and delivery would expire after April 23 unless extended.

"We are looking at our peak being in the latter part of April, early part of May," said Northam at a Monday news conference. "So we will extend that order for people to not be going to businesses like that."

Northam said when making decisions on restrictions, state officials examine data and models predicting when and where to expect a surge in patients daily. States have been following models from the University of Washington and University of Pennsylvania, and University of Virginia researchers introduced a Virginia-specific model Monday incorporating the impact of the state's restrictions and social distancing practices.

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WTOP reported the model's prediction of a case surge this summer if the restrictions under the stay-at-home order are completely eased. In that scenario, researchers suggest hospitals in the northern region would be the first place the needed hospital resources would be beyond capacity. According to the Virginian-Pilot, researchers believe continuing the order through June 10 and partially ending restrictions afterward could maintain the needed hospital resources to August.

"As soon as we can get people's lives back to normal, we will, but we also have to do it safely," said Northam. "We know right now that the social distancing is working. It is flattened that curve as you can see from some of the models."

"Like the other models, it too will change as we move forward depending on our own behavior. Right now it shows that our social distancing measures are working," said Northam. "It also shows that right now Virginia's hospitals have sufficient capacity to handle the surge in patients that we expect."

Northam said testing capabilities will be important when examining models on case peaks and considering changes to restrictions.

Dr. Daniel Carey, secretary of health and human resources, said the Virginia Department of Health is conducting a survey to assess all testing locations in Virginia. That survey seeks to determine testing capacity, how testing capabilities being utilized and how the capacity is growing. An internal task force will report on plans to address those points.

Northam called the testing turnaround of five to nine days at some private laboratories "unacceptable" and that some hospitals have in-house testing with a turnaround as soon as 10 hours. However, he believes a testing turnaround of 15 to 30 minutes is "where we need to be."

On Friday, Northam announced a task force aimed at ensuring nursing homes and long-term care facilities have enough resources. Dr. Laurie Forlano, who heads the task force, says staffing continues to be a concern amid outbreaks. The state is reporting 53 outbreaks, defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed cases, at long-term care facilities. These outbreaks are tied to at least 554 coronavirus cases and 34 deaths. Forlano said one example of the task force's work over the weekend involved providing supplemental staffing and assuring testing resources at a long-term care facility.

Northam took action on 1,291 bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly by the Saturday deadline and proposed 144 budget amendments. One of the proposals calls for increasing the payment rate to nursing homes and health care facilities by $20 daily per Medicaid recipient to address staffing.

Another amendment would give the Virginia Department of Corrections authority to release prisoners who have one year or less in their sentences and who have demonstrated good behavior and are viewed as not posing a threat to society. If approved by the General Assembly, the Department of Corrections would individually examine cases. The action would impact less than 2,000 state prisoners have one year or less remaining in their sentences. Correctional facilities have nine outbreaks accounting for 60 cases, according to Virginia Department of Health data.

"We recognize that these are confined spaces much like long-term care facilities, nursing homes," said Brian Moran, secretary of public safety. "Special care needs to be paid to those in a confined setting."

As of Monday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 5,747 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 473 from the previous day. Eight additional deaths brought the state's total to 149 deaths. The cases include 903 hospitalizations. Data on deaths and hospitalizations by local health district is now available.

SEE ALSO:

• VA Governor Targets Coronavirus Spread In Nursing Homes, Prisons
• Virginia Coronavirus: 5,747 Cases, Fairfax Has 200+ Hospitalized
• Face Masks Encouraged But Not Required In VA: Gov. Northam