Coronavirus Deaths Surpass 1,000 As Most Of VA Gradually Reopens

VIRGINIA — The Virginia Health Department on Saturday reported 25 more coronavirus deaths and 1,011 new cases, bringing the state's death toll to 1,002 and the total number of cases to 29,683.

Of the 1,002 deaths, 34 have been classified as probable; and of the 29,683 cases, 1,450 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 4,564,000 people and killed more than 308,000 around the world, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Virginia reported its first coronavirus case on March 7. As of Saturday morning, 3,724 have been hospitalized.

Compared to the state's other jurisdictions, Fairfax County has the highest number of cases. The total: 7,386. It also has the highest number of deaths in the state, with 278.

On Friday, certain businesses and services began reopening in the Commonwealth as part of phase one of Gov. Ralph Northam's "Forward Virginia" recovery plan.

The Democrat encouraged localities to request a delay if leaders were not comfortable moving into phase one. He approved Northern Virginia leaders' request to delay the phase one reopening, keeping the region in "phase zero" through at least May 28. A similar request from leaders in Richmond and Accomack County was granted Thursday.

In phase one, churches and nonessential businesses can reopen at 50 percent capacity, but restaurants must remain closed to indoor dining. Businesses with a permit for outside seating will be allowed to serve customers outdoors if they reopen at half-capacity and space out tables.

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