Coronavirus Deaths Near 1.5K As Most Of VA Gradually Reopens

VIRGINIA — The Virginia Health Department on Sunday reported 12 more coronavirus deaths and 1,284 new cases, bringing the state's death toll to 1,472 and the total number of cases to 50,681.

Of the 1,472 deaths, 103 have been classified as probable; and of the 50,681 cases, 2,332 have been categorized as probable. Probable deaths and cases count people who likely had COVID-19 but never got tested.

In its tabulations, Virginia lumps confirmed and probable data together.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has since infected more than 6,939,800 people and killed more than 400,600 around the world, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Virginia reported its first coronavirus case on March 7. As of Sunday, 5,106 have been hospitalized.

Compared to the state's other jurisdictions, Fairfax County has the highest number of cases. The total: 12,455. It also has the highest number of deaths in the state, with 414.

On Friday, certain businesses and services began reopening in the Commonwealth as part of phase two of Gov. Ralph Northam's "Forward Virginia" recovery plan. Hard-hit Northern Virginia and Richmond still remain in phase one.

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