Staff Report —
With three new cases of the COVID-19 virus identified over the weekend, the Eastern Shore Health District says there is “evidence of the beginning of community transmission of the virus.”
The new positive tests bring the total number of cases on the Eastern Shore of Virginia to seven: six in Accomack County and one in Northampton County.
Eastern Shore Rural Health notified the public over the weekend that one of its employees had tested positive.
“As per the March 28, 2020 press release, ‘all those identified as close contacts will be contacted by the Health Department,'” ESRH CEO Nancy Stern wrote via email in response to a reporter’s inquiry.
Of the three new cases, “two have no known travel off the Shore and no contact with previously confirmed cases,” the health district said in a Monday morning press release, noting that the district “has conducted a thorough investigation of the cases and any potential exposures.”
“Social distancing practices must be maintained,” said Eastern Shore Health District Director Dr. Richard Williams. “Stay at home and leave only for critical supplies. If you’re sick, contact your primary care provider via phone.”
The health department is continuing surveillance and investigation of any future potential cases. “In order to control COVID-19, it is very important for all to follow the health department recommendations,” the release reads.
Those recommendations are contained in the full text of the health district release, pasted below. (There are two pages – keep scrolling for the second page).
