Coronavirus illustration, created at the CDC
As of Wednesday afternoon, Virginia still has no confirmed cases of COVID-19, the Chinese coronavirus that has spread to 60 countries. However, as more cases are reported nationally, as well as nine deaths in the U.S., officials in Virginia are urging caution and taking preventive measures. So far, 17 people in Virginia have been tested for the virus; 14 have been found negative, and three are still awaiting results, though 106 people are under public health monitoring, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 80 people in 13 states have confirmed cases of COVID-19, and public health officials say it’s expected to spread further. (The first case in North Carolina was confirmed Tuesday.) On Wednesday, members of Congress reached an agreement on an emergency funding bill providing $7.8 billion for treatment and prevention, $13.3 million of which would go to Virginia from the CDC, according to a news release from U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure by the end of the week.
VDH is tracking the disease across the state and the CDC is giving national and international updates regularly.
