Today’s edition materializes thanks to the French Press, open every day from 7 to 7 in Waynesboro for delicious coffee and light treats. Cool snacks, and cold and frozen bevvies. Order in advance on the @cloosiv app or call ahead 540.221.6568. See you there at the French Press?
*
The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Virginia reported today is 844, a lower number than in recent days. There are another three deaths for a total of 2,054. The rolling seven-day average of positive PCR tests had dropped two tenths of a percentage point to 7.7 percent. All localities in the Thomas Jefferson Health District reported COVID-19 cases today for a total of 47. That breaks down to 24 new cases in Albemarle, 14 in Charlottesville, three in Greene, three in Fluvanna, two in Louisa and one in Nelson. The 7-day positive testing rate in the TJHD is 6.5 percent today, up one from yesterday. The VDH has also began releasing more historical records in the online data portal. Until now, the VDH has only been presenting each day’s information as a snapshot.
*
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors on Wednesday discussed measures to help stop further spread of COVID-19 but stopped short of adopting an emergency measure to adopt “necessary regulations to prevent the spread of contagious diseases” which would go beyond what has been authorized by Governor Ralph Northam. Virginia entered into phase 3 of the Forward Virginia plan on July 1, which allowed for indoor restaurant dining and gathering of up to 250 people. Phase 2 places that at 50, and Phase 1 capped it at ten. Some Supervisors have expressed concern that staying in phase 3 will lead to more spread, especially as more University of Virginia students return to the community. After a lengthy discussion, they opted not to adopt the ordinance yet but to further refine some of the potential restrictions. Jeff Richardson is the Albemarle County Executive. (proposed emergency ordinance)
“So there is consensus with this board to move forward and unless there is a special meeting of this board, we will come back on August 5 and you will take a formal note at your regular meeting on August 5 to adopt this local emergency ordinance,” Richardson said.
Supervisor Donna Price said the pause will allow more time to make sure the ordinance is correct and that similar measures can be put in place by the city of Charlottesville and UVA.
“And while I don’t believe that we’re waiting on permission from anyone else I think it’s very helpful to coordinate as much as we can with the city of Charlottesville and UVA,” Price said.
For full coverage of the emergency ordinance, read Allison Wrabel’s story in the Daily Progress.
*
Sentara Martha Jefferson will hold a free testing event at Washington Park from 5 to 7 p.m. This event is intended for “communities of color” and registration is not required. Dr. Denise Bonds of the Thomas Jefferson Health District told the Board of Supevrisors said both Sentara Martha Jefferson and UVA have helped with testing so far, but the future is not clear.
“I had hoped that UVA would be stepping into the role starting in the next week or so where they would do regular testing events in our community on our behalf,” Bonds said. “They had a plan set up… I got an email last night from the executive vice president of health affair that I think is going to put this in jeopardy.”
Dr. Bonds said the plan had been for UVA to pick up the cost of their own staff time and material costs, but that may no longer be the case. The health director also said that Sentara Martha Hospital has notified her they will not be able to do community testing events after this week.
“So what went from really widespread testing availability for our community members has now dropped down to our testing team and the CVS commercial sites. And while I think it’s very great that CVS is willing to do it. I will just say that they send it to Quest Labs and you won’t get your result back for ten days. And that is useless. That doesn’t help me if it takes ten days to get a test result back.”
We have asked for comment from both the University of Virginia Health System as well as Sentara Martha Jefferson and will bring you more in a future installment. More on this topic on the next episode of the Charlottesville Quarantine Report.
*
The director of Science, Engineering and STEM for Charlottesville City Schools has teamed up with a pediatrics professor at the University of Virginia to raise money for education supplies for families who may not have the resources. Nigel Standish and Sana Syed are seeking to raise $30,000 to build boxes with measuring tape, scissors, thermometers, and other scientific tools. According to their Go Fund Me page, this would help provide a full year’s materials for families in need whose children attend the city’s six elementary schools. (Go Fund Me page)
*
Today is a quiet day in government meetings. Three separate groups that make up the Places29 Community Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 630 p.m. to be introduced to Albemarle’s new planning director. Charles Rapp recently took over the position after serving in a similar role for the town of Culpeper. In an email sent to Community Engagement yesterday, he said the county is getting ready for a transportation study of the Rio Road area. Several developments have been opposed by nearby residents who have concerns about traffic issues. Some of them will have the chance to raise questions at this meeting. There will also be updates on the county’s development dashboards, which are intended to give people a sense of how many more new buildings are on the way. (agenda)
Tomorrow, Preservation Virginia will hold a free webinar on “The Role of Historic Preservation in Recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The event begins at 10 a.m. and registration is required. (register)
July 23, 2020: Albemarle takes a pause on emergency ordinance, STEM school supplies, testing woes?