By Carol Vaughn —
Accomack County is up to 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Saturday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Northampton County now has four confirmed cases.
The Eastern Shore Health District April 8 reported the death of an Eastern Shore resident as the Shore’s first fatality related to COVID-19. The woman, in her 70s, was hospitalized and confirmed positive for COVID-19 infection.
Chincoteague now has an ongoing police checkpoint for all vehicles coming onto the island due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Bryan Rush, Chincoteague Director of Emergency Services.
Rush said in an email Friday, April 10, that motorists “should expect minor delays throughout the weekend.”
All those stopped who are not residents of Chincoteague or Accomack or Northampton counties, are being given a flyer which states, in part:
“Turn around; travel prohibited; stay at home.”
The flyer references Gov. Ralph Northam’s “stay at home” executive order 55, issued March 30.
“…(N)o one should be traveling away from their primary residence,” the flyer says.
It also cites Mayor J. Arthur Leonard’s executive order, issued March 27, which required all Chincoteague accommodations to close through at least April 27, as well as the statewide limit on gatherings of more than 10 people, which also is part of the governor’s executive order.
“If you do not have a residence here on Chincoteague, you will not be able to stay here and should return home immediately,” the flyer says, adding, “Not only are all accommodations closed, there are very limited dining and other essential services available.”
Vehicles leaving the island are not being stopped, according to Rush.
Easter typically marks the start of the period when Chincoteague begins to see more visitors after the quiet winter season.
Police issued a summons to Chincoteague pastor Keven Gary Wilson, whose address is given in court records as Crisfield, Md., after Wilson was charged with violating the governor’s executive order related to gatherings of more than 10 people.
The violation is a Class I misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Wilson on Palm Sunday, April 5, held a church service at Lighthouse Fellowship Church where 16 people were present, according to a Christian Broadcasting Network report.
Liberty Counsel, a religious rights law group, is representing Wilson, according to the CBN report.
Wilson has a hearing scheduled for July, according to Accomack County General District Court records.
Northam, during a briefing Friday, announced the creation of a task force to focus on Virginia long-term care facilities during the pandemic.
The task force is led by Laurie Forlano, deputy commissioner of population health at the Virginia Department of Health.
Forlano said later in the briefing Virginia has had a total of 45 outbreaks at long-term care facilities. There were 525 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the facilities as of Friday, and 32 deaths, she said.
Northam also said he is proposing the General Assembly approve a budget amendment to allow the Department of Corrections to release prisoners who have less than one year left to serve, as long as they are deemed not a risk to the public.
The General Assembly could take up the proposal when it returns to Richmond April 22.
Around 2,000 inmates could be eligible for early release under the measure, according to Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran.
Northam said the House of Delegates has made arrangements to meet outside under a tent during the reconvened session. The Senate will meet at the Science Museum of Virginia. Both measures are to allow for proper social distancing among legislators.
Northam encouraged Virginians to keep following social distancing and other guidelines, which he said are helping but which need to continue.
“I want to give all Virginians hope that we are going to get through this together,” he said, adding, “What you are doing out there across the Commonwealth is working right now.…I just want all Virginians to know that we are working every day, and night, to follow this data and to be able to make that decision of when to ease these guidelines and how to do that. That plan is being talked about and worked on every day.”
