The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) would like to commend City leaders and staff for the herculean efforts being made to adapt and stay ahead of this difficult and fluid crisis that is COVID 19.

It was great news to hear that Sentara Healthcare has opened a drive-thru COVID 19 screening and testing facility at its Princess Anne location. It is also good news to learn they will be opening additional sites in the near future.

If the City of Virginia Beach has any input in determining the location of future sites, the SDCC would like to suggest that public screening and testing facilities be located within the Shore Drive Corridor as soon as possible. We understand these facilities are of the utmost importance and need to be strategically placed, so we base this request on the following details regarding the Shore Drive/Bayfront area.

· Most densely populated area in the City (# residents per acreage).
· Highest concentration of at risk residents 60+ years of age due to the large number of senior living facilities. Westminster-Canterbury (630 units), Bay Lake Retirement Community (200 units), Overture Senior Apartments (200 units) are just a few examples.
· Increased spreading risk due to the large amount of public restaurants and bars situated adjacent to residential property.
· Over this past weekend, in-spite of the Virginia State of Emergency & VB State of Emergency, many people witnessed that many bars and restaurants were packed. This puts everyone at risk and compounds the complexity of slowing the spread of COVID 19 to the most at risk residents.

Thank you for your continued concern for all the residents of Virginia Beach as well as those at high risk in the Shore Drive community.

Sincerely,
Todd Solomon
SDCC President