The latest on the coronavirus in Virginia and North Carolina:
6:30 p.m. Third death in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a result of the coronavirus. Fairfax County Health Department confirms.
3:38 p.m. The Chesapeake Health Department has confirmed its first positive case of the coronavirus.
Officials say the woman in her 50s had recently traveled to New York. She is currently is hospitalized and is in stable condition.
3:00 p.m. Williamsburg retirement community resident tests positive for coronavirus.
1:00 p.m. President Trump along with the White House Coronavirus Task Force give a briefing Saturday afternoon.
12:06 p.m. Hyde County retracts first case of the coronavirus.
11 a.m. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam gives a Saturday briefing as the confirmed cases in the commonwealth reaches 152 as of Saturday morning. Watch the video here.
As more cases of Coronavirus increase in the commonwealth, Governor Ralph Northam gave an update on some changes that have been made. He says they refined the testing criteria for COVID-19.
“Our testing criteria will give additional priority to medical professionals who had contact with or cared for someone who has COVID 19 and have developed any symptoms,” said Northam.
He also said they are easing some of the criteria for folks in nursing homes and long term care facilities to get tested. Northam spoke about the increased need for masks and gowns and personal protective equipment that the front line health care providers need.
“A shipment of PPE, personal protective equipment, was distributed to providers yesterday,” he said.
Northam also announced he signed an executive order that will allow nursing homes and hospitals more flexibility to add beds in their facilities if needed.
“That order lifts our certificate of public need restrictions so that our health commissioner can give hospitals and nursing homes the authority to add the beds they need without going through red tape,” said Northam.
He also encouraged people to continue good hygiene habits to prevent the spread of the virus and also to be weary of rumors. He says he wants to remind people he has activated the National Guard, not mobilized them, but they are ready if needed.
10 am. The Eastern Shore confirms second coronavirus case.
Officials say a man in his 60s is the second known case in the Eastern Shore Health District.
The man was a travel companion of the first identified case, officials say as they conduct a thorough investigation for other potential exposures.
9:30 a.m. Senatara Healthcare updates its drive-thru coronavirus screening and testing schedule at several locations.
Counts by district from VDH as of Saturday morning (not counting confirmed cases listed above)
Accomack: 1
Chesapeake: 1*
Gloucester: 1
James City County: 19
Newport News: 1
Norfolk: 1
Portsmouth: 1*
Virginia Beach: 4
Williamsburg: 4
York: 3
