Virginia Coronavirus Deaths Jump More Than 25% in One Day

Deaths in the state near 200, but daily increase in number of new cases slowing

Virginia health officials reported Wednesday that the death toll in the state from the coronavirus has jumped to 195, an increase of 41 deaths from the 154 reported Tuesday.

The Virginia Department of Health reported that 6,500 people in the state have tested positive for COVID-19 out of a total of 44,169 people tested.

The total number of cases in Virginia since the coronavirus arrived in the state now stands at 6,500, in increase of 300 new cases from the 6,200 reported Tuesday. That daily increase is lower than the 425 new cases reported Tuesday, which was largely in line with what Virginia has seen over the past week.

On Monday, researchers with the University of Virginia’s Biocomplexity Institute said initial data suggest that social distancing and other mitigation efforts have largely stalled the growth rate in new cases. Modeling prepared by the institute suggests the growth rate could continue to grow at a minimal rate if Gov. Ralph Northam’s stay-at-home order continues through its current June 10 deadline.

The same model shows that lifting those restrictions in mid-June would still result in a significant spike in cases in the summer, peaking in August. Other models show the outbreak will essentially end in June if social distancing measures remain in place through May.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up within weeks. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death. The vast majority of people recover.