RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam will hold his bi-weekly news conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday to update his administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CBS 6 will carry the news conference live on-air and online.
This is Northam’s first news conference since last Thursday and follows both the implementation of his face mask requirement and since protests began across Virginia in response to the killing of George Floyd.
As to what Northam may discuss related to the pandemic, Northam said at his last news conference that he planned to address was youth sports resuming.
“We're in the summer months and we really want to encourage our families and our children to get out there and be active and get some fresh air, but want to make sure they do it safely and so we'll have some guidelines to provide Virginia,” Northam said last Thursday.
The other topic he indicated he would talk about is when children can safely go back to school. Northam had created a workgroup to look at how school can resume in the late-summer/early-fall.
“We're going to do everything that we can to make sure that your children can get back into the classrooms and that they can get back there safely and responsibly,” Northam said Thursday.
Northam may also address when Virginia may enter phase two of the reopening process. Last week, Northam had said he did not have enough data from how the virus has progressed during phase one to make a decision about moving into phase two.
He said the earliest most, if not all, of Virginia could begin Phase Two is June 5. Northern Virginia, the city of Richmond, and Accomack County all entered Phase One two weeks later than the rest of Virginia, but Northam said those localities could move into phase two at the same time if local leaders are comfortable with that.
“I would really like to see everybody in Virginia, you know, moving together at the same time,” Northam said Thursday.
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.