Coronavirus cases continue to rise on the Peninsula among the most vulnerable populations, from the elderly in nursing homes and long-term care facilities to the essential workers at the shipyard and hospital staff attending to positive COVID-19 patients.
The Virginia Department of Health’s website now shows the number of health care workers who have tested positive for the coronavirus by health district.
So far, 64 health care workers on the Peninsula have tested positive.
The VDH defines the Peninsula Health District as Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County and Hampton Health District as only Hampton.
WYDaily combined the number of health care workers who tested positive and the number of outbreaks from both districts since all the localities are considered the Peninsula.
As of Friday, there are a total of 17 outbreaks on the peninsula — 6 in long-term care facilities, 9 in congregate setting like offices and apartments complexes, 1 in a healthcare facility and another in an education facility.
Out of the total number of outbreaks, Hampton Health District has 20 positive health care workers and three outbreaks: 2 in congregate settings and 1 in a long-term care facility. For the rest of the Peninsula, considered the Peninsula Health District, 44 healthcare workers have tested positive and there are 14 outbreaks: 5 in long-term care, 7 in congregate settings, 1 in health care facility and 1 in an education facility.
James City County has 160 positive cases of the coronavirus, Newport News has 120, Hampton has 119, York County has 46, Williamsburg has 20 and Poquoson has 6, according to VDH’s website.
At least 23 people from the Peninsula Health District and one person from the Hampton Heath District have died from the coronavirus.
The Peninsula Health District covers Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County. The Hampton Health District covers Hampton.
As of Friday, there are 16,901 cases and 581 deaths statewide.
VDH has also updated their coronavirus website to include other locality-specific information such as case, hospitalization and fatality rates per 100,000 residents and ethnicity.
Newport News Shipbuilding has 37 positive cases and 15 people have been medically cleared to return back to work, according to the company’s website.
There are 17 cases in the Mid-Yard, 10 cases in Off-Yard offices, 5 case in the North Yard and 5 cases in the South Yard.
WYDaily asked Jennifer Boykin, president of NNS, on Thursday if the shipyard had reported any deaths and if their website would show if NNS or non-NNS employees have died from the coronavirus.
“We don’t talk about deaths on any employees unless it’s industrial-related,” Boykin said. “We do not comment on deaths of any employees.”
As of Thursday, the Hampton VA Medical Center had 60 cases and 1 in-patient death. It unclear how many cases the hospital as of Friday at noon — the Department of Veterans Affairs COVID-19 National Summary’s website didn’t show the number of cases at at that time.
“We are updating the user experience to serve you better,” according the website. “Site will be back as soon as possible.”
YOU ALSO MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT THESE STORIES:
- James City County has not peaked yet, Peninsula Health District director says
- We now know how many coronavirus-related deaths in each locality on the Peninsula
- How many senior care facilities on the Peninsula have cases of the coronavirus? It’s hard to say
- The Va. Department of Health knows where the coronavirus cases are on the Peninsula so why won’t they let the public know?
- EXCLUSIVE: Envoy of Williamsburg won’t test residents for coronavirus, staff say
- Searching for answers: Williamsburg man who tested positive for COVID-19 describes ‘chaotic’ testing system at Sentara
- Guns and golf: How are non-essential businesses determined?
- For those recovering from porn addiction, social isolation can be especially difficult
- Alcoholics Anonymous: Staying sober during the coronavirus
- Last rites amid the coronavirus: Solemnity with additional safety measures in place
