Prince Edward virus cases rise to 29

Published 11:42 am Thursday, April 23, 2020

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COVID-19 cases went up by double digits from Wednesday to Thursday in Prince Edward County rising from 19 to 29, according to information from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

Four of the cases were likely the four positive cases at the Piedmont Regional Jail. Superintendent Jim Davis said Wednesday four inmates had been diagnosed as positive. The inmates were tested after developing fevers earlier in the week.

Also included in the numbers is likely the result of an outbreak of the virus at Farmville Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. The facility’s administration has confirmed the facility has patients diagnosed with the coronavirus. They have not said how many patients have the virus or if any staff members have been affected.

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Of the 29 positive cases in Prince Edward County, three people have been hospitalized. Two deaths in the county have been attributed to the coronavirus.

Buckingham County’s case numbers have steadily increased since the virus was diagnosed in two family members causing fears of community spread. The county now has 31 cases of the virus.

Case numbers have largely stabilized in Cumberland, Lunenburg and Charlotte counties. Cumberland has 10 cases, Charlotte County has eight positive cases and Lunenburg still has only three according to data from the VDH. There has been one hospitalization each in Cumberland and Charlotte counties. Lunenburg County has had no one hospitalized due to the virus.

Mecklenburg County to the south has been fighting an outbreak in a nursing home facility as well. They now have 71 positively diagnosed cases with 18 hospitalizations and one death.

Statewide, Virginia has had 10,998 cases with1,753 people hospitalized and 372 deaths. The majority of deaths have been in Henrico County where 83 people have died from the virus. Fairfax County has been another hotspot where 76 people have died due to the coronavirus.