James City County has surpassed Fairfax County with the number of “presumptive positive” cases of the coronavirus (COVID- 19).
According to an update from Virginia Department of Health at noon Friday, there are seven in James City County who tested presumptive positive.
That brings to a total of 30 cases — up from 17 a day ago — in the state, including 10 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.
The seven cases in James City County includes the two from Williamsburg, according to VDH.
James City County — as of 12:30 p.m. Friday — topped the number of coronavirus cases in Virginia.
Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Thursday and said he was canceling all state conferences and large events for the next 30 days. He urged local governments and private organizers to follow suit. He also announced new restrictions on travel for state workers.
James City County on Friday declared a state of emergency.
All county offices, facilities, recreation centers and libraries closed to the public at noon today, March 13 and will remain closed through the end of the day Monday, March 16. The Convenience Center located on Jolly Pond Road will remain open for trash disposal. County parks will remain open.
James City County officials are continuing to monitor and respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Our Office of Emergency Management, Public Safety, County Administration and others continue to communicate with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), as well as other localities and community agencies.
The city of Williamsburg on Friday partially activated its Emergency Operations Center — it allows for specific employees to respond and manage the emergency.
A public information telephone hotline (757-259-7200) has been established for residents’ questions. That line will be staffed 24 hours “until such time as the city deems appropriate to discontinue its use,” officials said.
City Manager Andrew O. Trivette signed a local declaration of emergency for Williamsburg. The declaration allows the city greater access to resources during an emergency.
York County on Friday also declared a local state of emergency. The declaration is an accounting mechanism that may allow the county to be reimbursed for virus-related costs, officials said.
William & Mary Thursday announced a staff member in one of the campus buildings had been exposed to the virus, according to the college’s website.
A staff member in Miller Hall reported to the school that they had been potentially exposed to the virus and despite the individual being asymptomatic, they are self-quarantining.
Employees who might have had close contact with the staff member have also been asked to self-quarantine.
Others who work in Miller Hall have been asked to telecommute Monday and monitor themselves for symptoms. The college will thoroughly clean the entire facility.
University officials said they have been in contact with the VDH and is following its guidelines which do not recommend testing for individuals who are asymptomatic.
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