City and county leaders from municipalities on the Peninsula put out an urgent request Saturday night, asking that everyone avoid of gatherings of more than 50 people. The request came hours after the Virginia Department of Health reported the first death in the state from COVID-19. The person who died was in the Peninsula Health District.
Larry Hill, a spokesman for VDH, did would not confirm where the person who died lived, but, as of Saturday, the department of health's website listed James City County as the only locality in the Peninsula Health District with cases of of COVID-19. There were a total of eight cases there as of March 14.
Virginia Beach was the only other Hampton Roads locality that had confirmed cases. The number there was 3 (as of Saturday).
The leaders from the municipalities on the Peninsula put out a joint release that stated: 'We as a community have the obligation to take further steps to curtail the spread, our first and most effective defense is to limit potential exposure."
The release confirmed a limited community spread on the Peninsula.
The release went on to say that they urged people to avoid the gatherings of more than 50 people. Those gatherings included church services, civic/social organization meetings, and public events and festivities.
The leaders recognized that that other steps may be required in the days to come in order to slow the rate of COVID-19's spread.
Here is the full release:
We have learned about several more incidents of coronavirus COVID-19 within the region, including one death, confirming a limited community spread. We as a community have the obligation to take further steps to curtail the spread, our first and most effective defense is to limit potential exposure. In that respect, Peninsula residents are urged to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people. This includes church services, civic/social organization meetings, and public events and festivities. We are a social society and as such, much of our daily lives include social interaction. Those critical needs such as grocery shopping, fueling your vehicle, and other essential tasks should not be neglected. Remember to observe the hygiene steps of washing your hands frequently, sanitizing flat surfaces, and when possible avoid close contact. Additional steps may be required in the coming hours and days as local officials try to slow the rate of infection thus allowing the local health system the capability to treat those who most need medical care. The Virginia Department of Health/Peninsula District established a public call center, That number is (757) 594-7069.