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Here is the thread for Northam's press conference for today, July 28.
Northam started off the press conference by noting some statewide metrics.
87,000 people have been infected
about 2,000 people have died
Despite this, he said that the state has avoided the surge that is currently happening in other parts of the country, he said.
87,000 people have been infected
about 2,000 people have died
Despite this, he said that the state has avoided the surge that is currently happening in other parts of the country, he said.
He said there is a 'concerning" rise at Hampton Roads, and he'll talk more about it later.
He's talking about the different ways that the pandemic is affecting people, from children with learning disabilities to lonely seniors at nursing homes who can't see their families in person.
"I'm worried that people are starting to lose hope, and that's not a good thing," he said.
He said there is "a path" out of the pandemic, and he says that he sees signs of hope ahead.
He said there is "a path" out of the pandemic, and he says that he sees signs of hope ahead.
Northam said that things in nursing homes have "turned around," as about 1% of people tested in nursing homes are positive, and hospitals have discharged about 12,000 people who were hospitalized because of the illness.
He said the state is putting in place the first emergency workplace safety standards in the nation.
"I know people sometimes feel helpless, like there's nothing you can do but we do have the power to turn this around, you have that power," he said.
that power, he continued, is wearing a mask, staying home when necessary, washing your hands and avoiding crowds when possible.
He's moving on to talk about meetings with Dr. Deborah Birx. He said she was complimentary of Virginia's efforts to curb the spread of the virus, adding that he and his administration see Birx and Dr. Fauci as the nation's medical leaders.
Northam said the meeting was "very positive," and that state officials are taking all of her recommendations "very seriously."
He said Birx pointed out that the pandemic today is very different from what it looked like in March and April.
He said Birx pointed out that the pandemic today is very different from what it looked like in March and April.
He's moving on to talk about data.
He said officials are testing somewhere between 17,000 and 20,000 people a day. While the total number of tests is trending upwards, Northam pointed out that the percent positivity rate...
He said officials are testing somewhere between 17,000 and 20,000 people a day. While the total number of tests is trending upwards, Northam pointed out that the percent positivity rate...
....is at about 7.3%, down from about 7.7% last week.
Percent Positivity is trending downward in Northern and Northwestern Virginia, but he said officials are keeping an eye on southwest Virginia, where it's been increasing, but "steady," he said.
Percent Positivity is trending downward in Northern and Northwestern Virginia, but he said officials are keeping an eye on southwest Virginia, where it's been increasing, but "steady," he said.
He said officials are concerned about Hampton Roads and the Peninsula, though.
He said medical experts are describing a "shift" toward younger people getting the virus, people in their 20s and younger, Northam said.
"We need to act to turn this around," Northam said.
In response to Hampton Roads, he said a federal team has assessed the district, and Northam said he's been in touch with local leaders in the area to step up enforcement of mask mandates.
In response to Hampton Roads, he said a federal team has assessed the district, and Northam said he's been in touch with local leaders in the area to step up enforcement of mask mandates.
Northam said he's issuing a public health order and executive order affecting Hampton Roads, the order will effectively close all bars, limit dining establishment capacity and limit social gatherings to no more than 50 people.
He said an order like this happens because "too many people" are not heeding public health warnings about social distancing and mask-wearing.
"We all know that alcohol changes your judgment. You just don't care as much about social distancing after you've had a couple of drinks
"We all know that alcohol changes your judgment. You just don't care as much about social distancing after you've had a couple of drinks
Now he's talking about ways his administration is helping local governments.
About $645 million in funding will be headed to localities, he said. He added that Virginia has been giving more to localities than most other states.
About $645 million in funding will be headed to localities, he said. He added that Virginia has been giving more to localities than most other states.
He said this will give localities the resources to address COVID-19.
Northam is closing out his comments and said it's important to "take the politics out of" the pandemic.
Dr. Norm Oliver will be giving a data update next.
Dr. Norm Oliver will be giving a data update next.
Oliver said there has been an average of about 1,000 new cases per day in the state, there were about 20,000 tests reported yesterday
They're taking reporter questions now.
Officials say there are some pervasive testing turnaround time issues that they are trying to work out.
Northam said that medical experts are looking at "pooling" tests to speed up testing times, which means testing multiple samples at once.
Northam said that while Dr. Birx commended the steps Northam's administration has taken, President Trump has been calling to "free Virginia."
"There's a disconnect when we're all trying to deal with this and work together and have a good end result, it's unfortunate."
"There's a disconnect when we're all trying to deal with this and work together and have a good end result, it's unfortunate."
Northam said the "inequity" in testing is concerning to him, while some people get results the same day, others have to wait up to two weeks.
"there's been no direction, no program nationally, and this is something that all states have had to do on their own, governors have had to compete with each other and it's been a chaotic process and one that I believe could have been avoided with better leadership," Northam said
Northam is wrapping up his press conference.
