Virginia governor announces state's first death from coronavirus

By Myah Ward

2-3 minutes

Gov. Ralph Northam. | Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP

Gov. Ralph Northam on Saturday announced Virginia’s first death from the coronavirus.
“Pam and I were deeply saddened to learn that a Virginian has died from COVID-19, and we grieve for everyone this virus has touched around the world.” Northam said in a statement.
The patient was a male in his 70s who acquired the virus from an unknown source, according to the Virginia Department of Public Health. The cause of death was respiratory failure.

“On behalf of the entire Commonwealth, we express our deepest sympathy for the family and loved ones of the patient who died, as well as the families of everyone who has been affected by this outbreak,” State Health Commissioner Norman Oliver said. “The health of our residents and the community is our top priority, and we will continue working together to care for the patients, protect the safety of health care workers, and protect the people in our Commonwealth.”
Virginia, which has 41 confirmed cases of coronavirus, is under a state of emergency and has seen its schools closed for at least two weeks at the behest of the governor.
Northam said he would give an update on Sunday about the state’s response to the outbreak.

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