Welcome to Tuesday! Here is the latest news from Virginia
Northam: Further COVID restrictions could come this week – Richmond Times-Dispatch
RICHMOND — Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday that he is considering further COVID restrictions this week following upward trends since Thanksgiving and a weekend that saw the highest number of daily coronavirus cases ever recorded in Virginia, with 11,490 new cases reported since Friday.
“We took some aggressive measures prior to Thanksgiving and we’re watching the data every day, but our numbers have trended up, especially over this past weekend,” Northam said in an interview with CNBC on Monday. “We’re actively discussing on how to mitigate the numbers and we’ll take further measures if we need to this week.”
Breonna Taylor’s family joined Governor Northam as he ceremonially signed “Breonna’s Law.” – Virginia Scope
Governor Ralph Northam ceremonially signed “Breonna’s Law” today in Richmond.
Sponsored by Delegate Lashrecse Aird and Senator Mamie Locke, the law prohibits the use of no-knock search warrants in the Commonwealth. Virginia is the third state in the country to ban this practice—and the first state to do so since the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, 26, who was killed in March during the execution of a no-knock search warrant in her Louisville, Kentucky home.
Surging COVID-19 cases overwhelm local contact tracing efforts – Virginia Mercury
by Kate Masters
As COVID-19 infections continue to surge across Virginia, the state’s Department of Health released new guidelines to prioritize contact tracing for cases most likely to fuel transmission.
Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver announced the recommendations in a letter to health care providers on Monday, writing that “substantial levels” of community transmission “have forced many local health departments to prioritize contact tracing efforts for key elements of the population.”
Richmond School Board votes to keep system virtual through the rest of the school year – Richmond Times-Dispatch
By Kenya Hunter
The Richmond School Board on Monday voted 8-1 to remain virtual for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Board member Jonathan Young, who cast the lone ‘no’ vote, sought to allow educators who might wish to return to classrooms later in the semester and teach students with special needs to have that choice; the proposal failed.
Roanoke undertaker says tweet on multiple new COVID deaths each day opened eyes – Roanoke Times
by Luanne Rife
Sammy Oakey didn’t have any idea his tweet would gain so much traction on Twitter and that it would be shared among Facebook friends who ask if it is true. Are that many people in the Roanoke Valley dying daily of COVID-19?
“It really did open a lot of eyes and let people see that this is really happening right here in our community and we are facing a very serious situation,” Oakey said Monday.
Why Jennifer Carroll Foy is resigning from the House of Delegates – Virginia Scope
Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Prince William County) is resigning her 2nd district House of Delegates seat to focus on her campaign for Governor.
“Jennifer Carroll Foy is resigning from the House of Delegates because she is all in to run for Governor and build a movement to tackle the problems that impact working families,” said the Foy campaign in a statement. “She is choosing to resign to focus on building a people-powered movement that will take Virginians out of the broken status quo that’s left them behind for far too long.”
More Links:
- Virginia Beach businesses rally for Jungle Golf owner who is battling COVID-19
- Commentary: DEQ ignores its duties again
- Sixteen apply for open Manassas council seat
- Charlottesville is planning to put about $3.9 million in leftover funds toward future capital projects
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