VA Residents Urged To Avoid Large Gatherings Over July 4 Weekend

Mark Hand
·4 min read

VIRGINIA — Virginia health officials are urging residents to stay away from large gatherings over the long Fourth of July weekend. The state is hoping to avoid the big spikes in new coronavirus cases seen in other states that have eased restrictions on businesses and gatherings.

In preparation for the July 4 holiday, the Virginia Department of Health issued a news release that stated "larger increases can occur following close gatherings of crowds, travel to COVID-19 hot spots, and simply due to people in close contact in smaller groups and not wearing masks."

Virginia entered phase three of its coronavirus reopening plan on Wednesday. As phase three was set to start in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam also ordered bar seating and congregating areas of restaurants to remain closed to help limit the chance of customers gathering without social distancing. Northam asked residents to continue precautions such six feet of physical distancing from other households, frequent hand washing, and testing when you have COVID-19 symptoms.

The state has seen a slight uptick in the average number of new daily cases and the 7-day positive rate of tests over the past week. But the increases are still small compared to other states that have seen huge spikes since easing restrictions on businesses and gatherings.

State officials also are concerned about the uptick in the number of new coronavirus cases in young adults and teens across the state. The health department suggested the following precautions:

  • Avoid sharing living spaces with people outside your immediate household.

  • Practice social distancing: stay 6 feet apart from others whenever possible.

  • Wear a face covering over the nose and mouth while in public, particularly indoors.

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds; use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol when soap and water are not available.

  • Stay home when sick, except when seeking medical care.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, including in your home.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

  • Clean and disinfect touched surfaces frequently.

The VDH on Friday reported 658 additional cases of the coronavirus and 29 deaths across the state. Statewide, the cumulative numbers stand at 64,393 cases, 6,382 hospitalizations and 1,845 deaths.

The 7-day positive rate of tests remained steady at 6.2 percent on Monday, the most recent data provided by the VDH. On Sunday, the positive rate also was 6.2 percent. The positive rates had been inching back up after reaching a low of 5.8 percent on June 23 and 24. There have been 685,657 nasal swab tests conducted in Virginia, an increase of 14,097 from Thursday.

According to Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, 818 people with confirmed or pending coronavirus test results were hospitalized as of Friday, down from 888 on Thursday. This includes 207 COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit and 95 on ventilators. There are 646 of 3,020 ventilators in use by all hospital patients, representing 21 percent use. A total of 8,711 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from hospitals.

Here are the latest coronavirus updates for our Virginia Patch coverage areas as of Friday:

  • Alexandria: 2,338 cases, 238 hospitalizations, 57 deaths; increase of 11 cases and one hospitalization.

  • Arlington County: 2,500 cases, 421 hospitalizations, 132 deaths; increase of 16 cases and three hospitalizations.

  • Fairfax County: 13,965 cases, 1,651 hospitalizations, 494 deaths, increase of 79 cases, 11 hospitalizations and two deaths.

  • Fairfax City: 70 cases, six hospitalizations, seven deaths; decrease of one case and one hospitalization.

  • Falls Church: 54 cases, 11 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of one case.

  • Loudoun County: 4,113 cases, 279 hospitalizations, 91 deaths; increase of 30 cases, one hospitalization and two new deaths.

  • Manassas: 1,430 cases, 104 hospitalizations, 18 deaths; increase of 13 cases and three hospitalizations.

  • Manassas Park: 434 cases, 46 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of three cases.

  • Prince William County: 7,442 cases, 670 hospitalizations, 146 deaths; increase of 52 cases, six hospitalizations and three deaths.

  • Fredericksburg: 254 cases, 26 hospitalizations, no deaths; increase of four cases and one hospitalization.

  • Spotsylvania County: 1,010 cases, 76 hospitalizations, 31 deaths; increase of nine cases but one fewer hospitalization.

  • Stafford County: 998 cases, 94 hospitalizations, five deaths; two fewer cases reported but increase of two hospitalizations.

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This article originally appeared on the Fredericksburg Patch