With the high demand for testing, there has also been a higher turnaround time for results. Sentara officials said Thursday that results can take 10 days or longer, up from the four- to seven-day estimate the hospital system put out March 16 when it started drive-thru testing.
This is great news.
That number, as horrific it is, gives a false sense of security of the real number of Cases already in Virginia Beach.
Visit VDH for current Official Info.
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The Navy has reported multiple cases aboard several different ships, the first of which was the Boxer currently at port in San Diego, California. The latest marks the first time two sailors assigned to the same ship have tested positive.
P R A C T I C E
S O C I A L
D I S T A N C I N G
What is already known about this topic?
Early data from China suggest that a majority of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths have occurred among adults aged ≥60 years and among persons with serious underlying health conditions.
What is added by this report?
This first preliminary description of outcomes among patients with COVID-19 in the United States indicates that fatality was highest in persons aged ≥85, ranging from 10% to 27%, followed by 3% to 11% among persons aged 65–84 years . . .
PLEASE NOTE: “NUMBER OF PEOPLE TESTED” & “CASES” ARE DRASTICALLY UNDER REPORTING THE REAL NUMBER OF CASES DUE TO LACK OR TESTING RESOURCES TODAY
R E S P E C T S O C I A L D I S T A N C I N G
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.
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
Have the at risk groups traveled internationally recently?
Have the at risk groups taken cruise ships recently?
Have the at risk groups been mingling with population that are carriers recently?
Have the recklessness of a percentage of the population added unnecessary risk to the at risk groups?
Will people who need and want testing get it if it takes hours at a 3 locations no where near SHORE DRIVE?
Does the lack of knowing who are carriers or have COVID19 NOW put unnecessary risk on our HEALTH CARE WORKERS and PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS and others who repeatedly engage with population?
Are there confirmed CASES of COVID19 already in the SHORE DRIVE COMMUNITY?
Is it too late to wait until their are confirmed CASES of COVID19 in the SHORE DRIVE COMMUNITY?
Is it easier to protect people who have COVID19 and their family and friends easier sooner than later as the disease progresses?
If 13.4% of Virginia Beach population is over 65 Citywide how high is it in the SHORE DRIVE COMMUNITY?
Does the density of the over 65 population in the SHORE DRIVE COMMUNITY increase risk or lower risk?
Have you calculated the risk to our local Military that live, work & engage with population nearby.
“If we get too steep on that curve, we will lose a lot of lives.” ~ President Trump
Reposted from Facebook:
Why things are much worse than you’re hearing.
Now that I have your attention, first off lots of people have been texting me, thank you. I’m fine. I’m not sick or infected (as far as I know!) I’m currently on “Supervised self monitoring” after a slightly increased risk exposure. I feel fine and have no symptoms, I just have to take my temperature twice per day, log any symptoms I might have, and report them. But I am not quarantined and still get to work. Anyone who knows me knows I am normally the opposite of “taking adequate precautions” but I’m treating this one differently. Joanne stocked me up with natural (aka grain alcohol and aloe) homemade sanitizers and everyone else is jealous. I feel fine, just tired from working overnights in a bit of a war zone.
So I wanted to give everyone an update.
1. The cases of COVID are far more than are being reported. We are not testing the majority of people. We are sending them home with instructions to self quarantine, and what to watch for.
2. The reason for this is three-fold
a. Tests are a limited resource…not just tests but the viral medium needed to collect the sample. We need to conserve for the people who we really need to know
b. For most people, it won’t change management. Results are taking 3-5 days. You look well, you don’t have severe disease, and have few or no risk factors: you will be sent home to be on self-quarantine regardless, with strict return precautions.
***c. This is a big one: It is a huge burden to test. Why you ask? COVID is a droplet and contact disease. It is generally not airborne. So standard PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is adequate (surgical mask, eye protection, gown, gloves) plus having the patient keep a mask on at all times. BUT it becomes airborne during aerosolizing procedures, which include collecting nasal and oral samples. (Well, not technically during the collection, but when you collect the sample the patient’s mask is off and they often sneeze/cough after having the swab put in their nose/throat). At this point, airborne precautions must be taken to include N95 Respirator masks.
BUT we are on a massive shortage of all PPE nationally and worldwide…in many hospitals out west they are already bleaching and reusing N95s in between patients.
Our N95s are controlled by one person in the hospital. Not ideal at all, but better than nothing at all. We are also on shortage of gowns and surgical masks. Also, in between any COVID patient the room needs to be terminally cleaned which takes time, but if an aerosolizing procedure (even test collection) the room is supposed to be given one hour to let any droplets settle onto the floor/surfaces before terminal cleaning. It is simply not practical to test most people.
The only way to really do a lot of testing is outdoors, with a tent, where you have people outfitted in the proper PPE and just leave it on as cars drive through/people walk up. But we can’t support that right now due to supply shortages.
3. Speaking of aerosolizing procedures:
a. BIPAP/Non-invasive ventilation is basically out. It is highly aerosolizing and associated with one of the highest rates of healthcare provider contamination. So while traditionally we use BIPAP as much as possible to avoid intubation, the protocol is to move to intubation more quickly now
b. Nebulizers, a mainstay of respiratory disease/wheezing are verboten. Again highly aerosolizing. One person on a nebulizer in a non-negative pressure room with the door open can shut down a whole wing. I am worried we are going to see a huge number of EMS providers start testing positive, because they’ve been following their protocols and giving nebulizers right and left. The protocols are changing, but I suspect that horse is already out of the barn. Instead, we are using serial Metered Dose Inhalers with spacer devices.
c. For intubation, nasopharyngoscopes, and other high risk procedures, we are donning PAPR (Powered Air Purifier Respirator) basically a positive pressure sealed head cover that doesn’t allow any outside air in. It sucks because it’s hard to hear what’s going on, but intubations are too high risk otherwise.I want to reiterate: THIS IS NOT THE FLU. I will freely say it, I was wrong. I downplayed this months ago, and cited how many people die of the flu every year, etc. I have had more critically ill COVID patients this week than I had critically ill flu patients all flu season. We’ve had 2 patients die in Williamsburg already just a few days into this, both in their late 60s/early 70s but otherwise actually healthy with no significant medical problems. Yes, most people will be fine, but for the subset that get very ill, it’s a bit stunning how quickly and dramatically they go downhill. There are already 2 ER doctors critically ill, one in Washington (healthy male in his early 40s) and one in New Jersey (also healthy but 70 years old, coincidentally he is in charge of Emergency Preparedness for a large health system). Most people don’t have anything to worry about with COVID-19, but if you are one of the people who it hits harder, it’s frightening how fast you go downhill.
But I really want to emphasize to everyone, do not be lulled into a false sense of security by the number of positive tests. The number of people infected is orders of magnitude more than reported, because we simply aren’t testing most people. As more tests become available hopefully that will change.
ANOTHER Key Point: There is a growing evidence that steroids and NSAIDS may actually be harmful.
Which is odd, because the patients that get the sickest do so because of ARDS, which is your immune system confusing your normal lung tissue with viral infected lung tissue, and attacking and killing it all. So you would think that anti-inflammatories would help, but there is evidence they make things worse. Also, there is a clear association with hypertension and diabetes being major risk factors for more severe disease, and some (controversial) suggestion that ACE inhibitors and ARBs, commonly prescribed for these two conditions, make things worse. If you get ill, please discuss with your primary doctor or cardiologist whether to continue them.
If I may brag, I am glad so many others are getting to see what awesome people choose to go into healthcare and especially my area, emergency medicine. No one is running away, everyone is working longer hours and longer shifts, people are covering for each other when they get quarantined. Nurses, medics, techs, housecleaning, some of whom make not much over minimum wage are all stepping up to volunteer to work “in the hot zone” for hours on end. They aren’t getting hazardous duty pay, or any special bonuses.
They’re just doing it because that’s what they do every single day and why they went into this line of work. ERs have been criticized by insurance companies for being expensive and greedy…but there is no other place where a group of the finest people I know can respond almost immediately to something of this scale and with this expertise, and do so willingly without question and without regard for their own safety.
I read a week ago several comments on international message boards that I’m on comments from Italian ER doctors who felt like they were watching a train wreck about to happen in the US, and despite telling us to slow down no one was listening. When I go for runs to clear my mind and see packed bars and restaurants, I now see what they mean.
Practice in-person social distancing, flatten the curve…yes they seem like overused buzzwords but it’s the only way we’re going to slow this train down.
1. Promote easier testing for the most at risk population so they would use the DRIVE THRU TESTING.
2. Reduce the risk of family or friends who may need to drive them to testing no where near here.
3. Diversify the locations throughout the City in appropriate high risk locations who have a higher population of over 65.
4. Due to the fact many bars were packed this past weekend – dramatically increasing the risk of covid19 spreading uncontrollably in our most at risk residents.
5. The fact there is so many assets available nearby to help support DRIVE THRU TESTING NOW.
View article at Pilotonline.com
The draw was a new drive-through testing service for COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by a new virus the World Health Organization has labeled a pandemic.
What’s one way you can help?
Lobby for DRIVE THRU TESTING TENTS TO BE LOCATED IN SHORE DRIVE COMMUNITY NOW TO ATTEMPT TO BEND THE CURVE
Note: Original Press Release Noted Lockdown starting March 17th 2020 originally.
As of March 16, 2020, we are no longer accepting visitors to any level of care on our campus.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness & Response
UPDATE: March 15, 2020
The spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) both in the United States and abroad has many of us deeply concerned. Please know Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay is taking appropriate measures to protect the health and well-being of residents, teammates, and their families.
Our leadership team is diligently monitoring updates by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local health departments and following their recommended guidelines.
As a Life Plan Community which includes some nursing center residents at a high-risk for respiratory illnesses, we already have in place robust protocols to avoid flu and other illnesses. We have an excellent track record over the years with flu prevention on our campus because we follow best practices and protocols.
For COVID-19, we have also implemented more drastic measures specific to this virus. These measures include:
As of March 17, 2020, we are no longer accepting visitors to any level of care on our campus.
We are screening all team members who enter our campus.
We are asking all residents to refrain from leaving and re-entering the campus unless medically necessary in order to reduce the risk of exposure.
We will suspend all campus transportation except for medical appointments, and convert that department into a personal shopping/delivery service for necessary items and groceries.
We are discouraging attendance at group gatherings, but Lifelong Learning and other events will be broadcast on our internal television station whenever possible.
We will continue to dine in our on-campus restaurants, but we are making plans for delivery of food if we deem that to be advisable.
In our Stone Rehab and Hoy Nursing Center, we are continuing to follow the request of the President of the United States and limiting visits to only medical/service visitors. No visits are allowed by family members who live off of our campus. We are permitting Hospice patients to receive family members in accordance with their end of life wishes, after a visitor health screening has been completed.
We are continuing to screen all who enter and work in our Hoy Nursing Center and staff is posted at these entryways for this purpose.
Any visitors, vendors or team members with respiratory illness symptoms, a fever, or who have been on a cruise, or have traveled internationally within the past 14 days will not be allowed inside our campus.
Residents traveling internationally will be in a 14-day quarantine upon their return to campus to ensure they do not have COVID-19 and to limit the risk of transmission to the rest of the community. We have asked all residents planning a trip to any location outside of the United States to consult with their medical provider to discuss travel plans, how to protect themselves, and what to do when they return.
We strongly encourage team members and residents to follow CDC recommended practices which are proven to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water; covering your cough; staying at home if you are sick; avoiding close contact with others who are sick; and carefully wiping down desks, computers, tables, door handles, etc., with disinfectant cleaners. We have posted signs on our entryway doors to notify visitors of the symptoms of COVID-19 with a request that visitors do not enter if they are experiencing these symptoms.
In closing, we want to assure you that providing a safe and healthy environment for employees and residents is a top priority at Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay. We are dedicated to the well-being of our residents and team members.
Thank you for your confidence and support.
J. Benjamin Unkle, Jr.
President & CEO
Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay
March 10, 2020
Media Contact: Larry Hill: larry.hill@vdh.virginia.gov
(Virginia Beach, VA.) – The Virginia Beach Health Department announced that two residents have tested “presumptive positive” for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These cases mark the first two cases in the Virginia Beach Health District, and the sixth and seventh cases in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All reported cases in Virginia have been travel related and there is no evidence of community transmission of COVID19 in Virginia.
“We are aware that exposure for these two individuals are travel related,” said Virginia Beach Health Director Dr. Demetria Lindsay. “The Public Health Department is in close communication with the two travelers and their care providers, and is conducting a thorough investigation of potential exposures. The two individuals are in stable condition and remain in isolation at this time.”
The two patients (a male in his 60’s and female in her 50’s) traveled on a Nile River cruise, which recently reported COVID-19 cases. They returned to United States on March 5. On Sunday March 8, the patients were tested at a Virginia Beach hospital. The positive test results returned today are considered presumptive, pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can cause mild to more severe respiratory illness. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. In a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can cause complications, including death, particularly among those who are older or who have chronic medical conditions. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person. COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
To lower the risk of respiratory germ spread, including COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following effective behaviors:
- 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.
This is a rapidly changing situation, and information is being shared as it becomes available on the following websites: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus or www.vdh.virgina.gov/coronavirus/. Please consult www.vdh.virgina.gov/coronavirus for the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Health has also activated a public information line, 877-ASK-VDH3, for questions from residents about the novel coronavirus situation.
The spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) both in the United States and abroad has many of us deeply concerned. Please know Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay is taking appropriate measures to protect the health and well-being of residents, teammates, and their families.
Our leadership team is diligently monitoring updates by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local health departments and following their recommended guidelines.
As a Life Plan Community which includes some nursing center residents at a high-risk for respiratory illnesses, we already have in place robust protocols to avoid flu and other illnesses. We have an excellent track record over the years with flu prevention on our campus because we follow best practices and protocols.
For COVID-19, we have also implemented more drastic measures specific to this virus. These measures include:
In our Stone Rehab and Hoy Nursing Center, we are following the request of the President of the United States and limiting visits to ONLY MEDICAL/SERVICE visitors. No visits are allowed by family members who live off of our campus. We are permitting Hospice patients to receive family members in accordance with their end of life wishes, after a visitor health screening has been completed.
We are screening all who visit and work in our Hoy Nursing Center and staff is posted at these entryways for this purpose.We discourage social visitation by guests, including family members, for Independent Living and Enhanced Serices (Assisted Living) residents. Guests visiting IL and ES residents will be screened at the Courtesy Desk.
Any visitors, vendors or team members with respiratory illness symptoms, a fever, or who have been on a cruise, or have traveled internationally within the past 14 days will not be allowed inside our campus.
Additionally, residents traveling internationally will be in a 14-day quarantine upon their return to campus to ensure they do not have COVID-19 and to limit the risk of transmission to the rest of the community. We have asked all residents planning a trip to any location outside of the United States to consult with their medical provider to discuss travel plans, how to protect themselves, and what to do when they return.We strongly encourage team members and residents to follow CDC recommended practices which are proven to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water; covering your cough; staying at home if you are sick; avoiding close contact with others who are sick; and carefully wiping down desks, computers, tables, door handles, etc., with disinfectant cleaners. We have posted signs on our entryway doors to notify visitors of the symptoms of COVID-19 with a request that visitors do not enter if they are experiencing these symptoms.
In closing, we want to assure you that providing a safe and healthy environment for employees and residents is a top priority at Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay. We are dedicated to the well-being of our residents and team members and are doing everything in our power to combat COVID-19.
Thank you for your confidence and support.
Benjamin Unkle, Jr.
President & CEO
Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia in response to the continued spread of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
While Virginia has been thoroughly preparing for weeks and has adequate funding to address the situation, this declaration will allow the Commonwealth increased flexibility to ease regulatory requirements and procurement rules, continue federal and multi-state coordination, and ensure continued access to critical services for the most vulnerable Virginians. In addition, it has become increasingly clear that states must take a primary leadership role in the national response to COVID-19. The full text of the Governor’s emergency declaration is available here.
“Our top priority is to make sure Virginians stay safe and healthy, and that our response to this situation leaves no one behind,” said Governor Northam. “From our health department, to our schools, to our hospitals, to our transit systems, Virginia’s agencies and institutions have been thoroughly planning for every scenario. This emergency declaration will ensure we can continue to prepare for and appropriately respond to Virginians’ needs during this time.”
Governor Northam also announced additional steps to ensure the health and safety of all Virginians, including:
Ban on State Employee Travel and Implementation of Telework Policies
Virginia has over 100,000 state employees stationed throughout the Commonwealth. Governor Northam has halted all official travel outside of Virginia by state employees, with increased flexibility for inter-state commuters and essential personnel. Specific guidance will be released to agency heads and state employees, and Virginia will revisit these guidelines after 30 days.
Governor Northam has also directed his Secretary of Administration to implement a phased transition to teleworking for state employees. The Department of Human Resources Management will work with the Virginia Department of Health’s Equity Workgroup to prioritize support for impacted state employees that may be unable to perform their duties from home, including janitorial, food, and grounds staff.
The Department of Human Resources Management has worked to ensure all agencies have updated emergency operations and leave policies. State employees, including part-time employees, can access paid Public Health Emergency Leave in the event of exposure to COVID-19 or high-risk travel.
Public Gatherings and Large Events
In accordance with advice from state public health experts, the Commonwealth of Virginia will cancel all specially-scheduled state conferences and large events for a minimum of 30 days.
Governor Northam is directing state agencies, through the Department of Human Resource Management, to limit in-person meetings and non-essential, work-related gatherings.
Governor Northam is also urging localities and non-profits to limit large public events, effective immediately. Localities should make these decisions in coordination with their local health departments and the Virginia Department of Health. Highly populated localities and those with close proximity to positive cases are strongly encouraged to announce updated event guidance by Friday, March 13, at 5:00 PM, in advance of the weekend.
Long-Term Economic Planning
Governor Northam is also assessing the potential long-term economic impacts of COVID-19. While containing the spread of the public health threat remains a top priority, Governor Northam is working with state and local partners to ensure Virginia are prepared for any continued economic disruption.
Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade will coordinate regularly with representatives from the Virginia Employment Commission, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Virginia Tax Commission, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other relevant stakeholders.
Throughout his administration, Governor Northam has worked closely with state legislators to protect Virginia’s strong economy and prepare for unexpected economic shocks. The General Assembly will vote today on a budget that boosts Virginia’s reserve funds more than at any other time in the Commonwealth’s history, an essential mechanism to ensure continued state services regardless of economic uncertainty.
Ongoing State Response Efforts
The Commonwealth of Virginia is continuing to execute a multi-agency response plan across all levels of government. Efforts include the following:
Schools
The Department of Education has advised all school districts to update their pandemic guidelines, in consultation with their local health departments.
The Northam administration continues to be in regular communication with superintendents, university and community college presidents, to provide guidance on the unique situations they are facing on the ground.Nursing Homes
The Virginia Department of Health has expanded its testing criteria to ensure that anyone who has symptoms and is in a nursing home is top priority and gets immediate testing.
Nursing homes and senior care facilities have updated their policies to provide additional visitor screening and increased monitoring of patients.Vulnerable Virginians
Virginia’s social services agencies are preparing options to ensure the most vulnerable populations have continued access to critical services, including the potential for in-home care and food supports.
In the event of extended school closures, the Virginia Department of Social Services is working with local partners, such as food pantries, to ensure no one goes hungry.Addressing Barriers to Care
Virginia is working with insurers to waive co-pays and diagnostic testing related to COVID-19.
Governor Northam continues to encourage private businesses to explore telework and paid time off options, including those with hourly workers.Transportation
Across the Commonwealth’s transportation network, which includes airports, Metro, buses, and rail, the Virginia Department of Transportation is adjusting cleaning schedules according to CDC protocol.
Virginia is training all transportation employees to spot indications of COVID-19, help reduce the potential spread of disease, and provide accurate information on symptoms, prevention, and diagnostic testing.
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