RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam will hold one of his bi-weekly news conferences at 2 p.m. Tuesday to update his administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is Northam’s first news conference since the majority of the state entered Phase Two of the reopening process. The exceptions are the City of Richmond and northern Virginia, which had entered Phase One more recently.
Northam is expected to discuss plans and guidelines for schools to resume safely in the late summer/early fall. Last month, he created an Education Work Group tasked with developing the next steps for Virginia’s schools.
Northam had said he had planned to discuss those guidelines last week. However, his two news conferences focused on the protests in Virginia held in response to the death of George Floyd and his decision to order the removal of the Robert E. Lee Statue on Monument Avenue.
Late Monday night, a Richmond Circuit Court judge issued a ten-day injunction barring the removal of the statue.
CBS 6 will carry it live on-air and online.
For a further breakdown of the current COVID-19 numbers in Virginia click here.
COVID-19 Precautions
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person.
Virginia health officials urged the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.Avoid non-essential travel.