HAMPTON, Va. — Two weeks ago the Hampton V.A. began restricting entry points at buildings on its campus due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
The 468-bed facility serves a veteran population OF 220,000 from 25 cities and counties in eastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.
Director David Collins said the facility has tested three people for coronavirus.
"We haven't gotten any results back," he said. "Our population is three that we've tested. But those test results are pending."
Collins said that for now, his facility's supply of COVID test kits, respirators, and ventilators are sufficient, but, that could change.
"It's just the unknown going forward," he said. "How high does the spike go? Planning for that is difficult, not just at the V.A. but across the nation."
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va., 2nd District) said, "It's not a question of if but when the numbers go up in this community."
On another military/medical note, following her meeting with Collins, Luria talked about the USNS Comfort, which she said could ship out in early April.
She said as medical staff is assigned to the ship, that will mean a reduction of medical personnel at local military facilities, and people should expect disruptions.
"So people will expect to see some changes in the services available in Navy medicine, military treatment facilities in this area in order to support the manning of the Comfort," she said.