VA Coronavirus Cases Reach 20K With Phased Reopening In Sight

VIRGINIA — With a potential date for phase one of easing coronavirus-related restrictions in sight, Virginia's cumulative cases and testing numbers continue to increase while percentage of positive tests appear to decrease. Cumulative hospitalizations are increasing, but ventilator use is decreasing and recoveries of hospitalized patients continue to climb.

On Tuesday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 764 additional cases of the new coronavirus, 29 more deaths and 73 new hospitalizations. The latest totals in Virginia are 20,256 cases, 713 deaths and 2,773 hospitalizations. On Monday, the VDH reported 821 additional cases of the new coronavirus and 24 more deaths since Sunday.

As of May 1, the Virginia Department of Health is now reporting all completed testing, which could explain a 14,805 increase from April 30 to May 1. Before that date, a COVID-19 patient tested multiple times was counted once; now multiple tests are counted individually. According to state data, 112,809 unique people were tested. Overall, 127,938 tests have been completed in Virginia, an increase of 5,150 from Monday to Tuesday.

Gov. Ralph Northam has identified Friday, May 15 as the tentative date to start the first of three reopening phases for certain businesses and activities. That means the closure of certain non-essential businesses is extended through May 15. Once the first phases of reopening begins, businesses could reopen with enhanced safety measures in place. Additional guidelines for businesses such as restaurants, barber shops, entertainment venues and fitness centers are expected before May 15.

Northam anticipated the first phase lasting around three weeks before the state seeks to further ease restrictions on social gatherings. Phases two and three also will last about three weeks. The separate stay-at-home order is in effect through June 10.

The governor's criteria for the first phase includes the percentage of positive tests and hospitalizations trending down for 14 days, increased testing and contact tracing, sufficient hospital beds and intensive care capacity, and sustained supply of personal protective equipment.

Virginia Department of Health outlines a few of these key metrics on graphs. A graph on the percentage of positive results among total completed tests appears to show declines. While the seven-day moving average of percent positivity reached 22 percent on April 22, that average was 18 percent on May 2. A similar graph shows generally flat numbers for hospitalizations.

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.

The number of currently hospitalized patients with confirmed or pending coronavirus test results rose from 1,463 to 1,496 since Monday, according to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. There have been 2,617 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals, up from 2,547 Monday.

Among Virginia patients with confirmed or pending test results, 361 are in the intensive care unit compared to 348 on Monday and 373 last Thursday. On Tuesday, 189 COVID-19 patients were using ventilators, down from 192 patients using ventilators Monday and 208 last Thursday. The percentage of ventilator use among COVID-19 and other hospital patients remains generally flat. There are 591 in use of the 2,952 available ventilators in hospitals, representing 20 percent use of ventilators in Virginia.

No hospitals in the state are reporting having difficulty obtaining or replenishing personal protective equipment or other medical supplies, the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association reported Tuesday.

Of the state's 713 deaths, 405 are associated with outbreaks in long-term care facilities. There have been 143 outbreaks, defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed cases, in long-term care facilities, representing 2,902 cases.

Here are the latest cumulative totals for localities in our Northern Virginia coverage area on Tuesday:

• Alexandria: 983 cases, 120 hospitalizations, 26 deaths
• Arlington County: 1,169 cases, 196 hospitalizations, 49 deaths
• Fairfax County: 4,834 cases, 787 hospitalizations, 201 deaths
• Fairfax City: 33 cases, five hospitalizations, two deaths
• Falls Church: 36 cases, eight hospitalizations, four deaths
• Loudoun County: 998 cases, 100 hospitalizations, 24 deaths
• Manassas: 289 cases, 33 hospitalizations, one death
• Manassas Park: 96 cases, 11 hospitalizations, two deaths
• Prince William County: 2,223 cases, 225 hospitalizations, 33 deaths
• Fredericksburg: 45 cases, eight hospitalizations, no deaths
• Spotsylvania County: 206 cases, 24 hospitalizations, four deaths
• Stafford County: 308 cases, 49 hospitalizations, two deaths

SEE ALSO:

• VA Governor To Ease Coronavirus Restrictions Starting May 15
• Positive Coronavirus Cases In Virginia Near 20,000
• Drive-Thru Testing Continues As Deaths Rise: VA Coronavirus
• VA Coronavirus: Decontamination Systems For PPE; Case Updates