Coronavirus and the illness it causes, COVID-19, is on the upswing in dozens of states across the nation, most notably Arizona, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Nevada, Idaho and Louisiana.
As of June 30, Virginians account for just 2.4 percent of the 2.6 million-plus cases of COVID-19 reported across the United States.
There are only five states with lower infection transmission rates than Virginia (and one of them is right next door — the District.)
Virginia, with 62,787 cases (many of whom have already recovered) is one of a small number of states where COVID-19 is not increasing. The number of cases in Virginia is mostly stable at this time with about 430 new cases per day based on a trailing 7-day average.
What's the reason?
Virginia did not reopen its economy as quickly as other states did. By remaining closed as other states swung the doors open to bars, gyms and large gatherings, Virginia gave the virus more time to diminish.
Virginia Dept. of Health
At a press conference in mid-June, Gov. Ralph Northam said, "“I would just ask all Virginians to look at what’s going on in some of these other states. ... We’re watching some of their practices. And this is why. I know everyone wants to get back to that near normal, but we really have to take our time."
The Virginia Biocomplexity Institute at the University of Virginia noted that "The stay at home order and other community mitigation strategies undertaken in Virginia successfully flattened the curve and prevented hospitals from being overwhelmed. However, the COVID-19 pandemic remains a public health emergency. The model estimates that by taking a cautious approach to reopening, and improving testing and tracing, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria [region] has avoided 123,711 cases since May 15."
Whether the current stability will remain will be clear in the next few weeks. Virginia enters the third phase of its own reopening plan, Forward Virginia, on Wednesday, July 1.
The state's Latino population remains particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. According to Virginia state government data, "Latino Virginians make up 45.3 percent of the cases for which Virginia has demographic data, and 35 percent of hospitalizations—even though Hispanic and Latino people make up about 10 percent of the Commonwealth’s population."
Virginia has allocated more emergency funding to help battle COVID-19 among this population, as well as putting more funding toward coronavirus testing and containment in long-term care facilities.
"While we may not have the same spike in infections that many states are seeing right now, Virginians need to remain cautious and do the things that we know reduce transmission: wear a face covering, maintain physical distance, and stay home if you are high-risk or experience COVID-19 symptoms," Northam said. "This virus is still with us, and we must continue to adapt our lives around it and ensure we are keeping our vulnerable communities safe.”
With the third phase, the following measures are in place:
- No social gatherings of more than 250 individuals
- Face coverings required in indoor public spaces
- Physical distancing is required at retail and restaurants
- Gyms and other fitness venues can open to 75 percent capacity
- Overnight summer camps for children are closed
- Teleworking is still strongly encouraged
Learn more about the third phase here.
One change Northam made from his previous phase three rules — there will be no bar seating at restaurants to ensure social distancing measures. Bars are one of the places that have been cited for outbreaks in other parts of the country.
