Drive-Thru Testing Continues As Deaths Rise: VA Coronavirus

VIRGINIA — More drive-thru testing will continue this week as cases of the coronavirus continue to rise in Virginia, and the number of deaths increase.

As of Sunday morning, 940 additional cases of the new coronavirus and 44 more deaths were reported by the Virginia Department of Health. The latest totals are 18,671 cases, 660 deaths and 2,627 hospitalizations.

With the increased cases, testing is also ramping up. The New River Valley Public Health Task Force will hold ongoing drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Giles High School, 1825 Wenonah Ave. in Pearisburg, and from 1-3 p.m. on Friday at Blacksburg High School, 3401 Bruin Lane in Blacksburg. These sites are closed to the public.

Only those individuals with a letter of authorization from the Virginia Department of Health’s New River Health District will be allowed access to the sites, and only by appointment.

“Testing is important epidemiologically and helps us determine the prevalence of disease in our community,” said Noelle Bissell, M.D., director of the New River Health District, “but because capacity is limited we screen for those at highest risk. As we continue to test, we expect to have more positive cases.”

The number of tests performed increased by 6,615 from Saturday to Sunday, bringing the total to 119,065. Northam's testing goal for reopening the economy is 10,000 tests conducted per day.

State officials announced a change in the methodology of reporting testing Friday, which could explain the increase. State Health Commissioner Norm Oliver said that before the change, a COVID-19 patient tested multiple times was counted one time. Now the state is counting each time the person gets tested for the coronavirus. The state has created a new interactive map where residents can enter their zip code to find the nearest testing site.

If you have questions about the coronavirus or want to request an appointment for testing, call the New River Health District’s COVID-19 public health call center at 540-267-8240. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. After hours, leave a message.

“In the vast majority of cases, testing does not inform our recommendations for your medical care,” Bissell said. “The best protection for each of us comes from personal precautions, including hygiene and social distancing. That’s how you stay well, and how you protect those around you today, and those you will be with tomorrow.”

“These sites take the pressure off our hospital systems and first responders so that they can provide essential medical and public safety services, around the clock,” said Blacksburg Police Chief Anthony Wilson. “Instead of being tasked with assessment and transport, they can concentrate on true life-threatening medical emergencies.”

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.

Virginia will also receive three decontamination systems to sterilize personal protective equipment (PPE) after Gov. Ralph Northam said maintaining PPE was one of his criteria for the first phase of easing coronavirus-related restrictions.

Northam said Saturday the three systems will be operating within the next week at the Marching Virginians Center on Blacksburg's Virginia Tech campus, a warehouse site in the Hampton Roads Sanitation District in Newport News, and the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. Another system delivered to DC last week is being shared by health care systems in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

"This innovative new technology will extend the life of critical PPE like N95 masks, giving our medical facilities and first responders greater access to much-needed supplies and helping the Commonwealth manage our resources amid a nationwide shortage," said Northam in a statement.

The system in Blacksburg will be jointly used by Virginia and West Virginia, with the latter providing generators. In addition, the system will be made available for other states such as Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina.

The federally-funded systems from FEMA are provided at no cost to Virginia for the first six months of use. Health care providers and first responder organizations will not be charged for decontamination services.

Northam said Friday he will provide a clearer picture on Monday of when Virginia can start the first reopening phase. He previously stated the first phase could begin no sooner than May 8 but hasn't confirmed an exact date. His 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. This phase will see continued social distancing, teleworking, limits on travel and public gatherings, and recommended use of face coverings.

Globally, more than 3.4 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 244,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Sunday morning. In the U.S., more than 1.1 million people have been infected and over 66,000 people have died from COVID-19.

SEE ALSO:

• VA Coronavirus: Decontamination Systems For PPE; Case Updates
• VA Governor Moves Closer To Reopening Decision, Explains Testing
• Watch: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds Flyover In DC, Northern Virginia