State directs nearly $250M to long-term care facilities for COVID-19
Because a majority of COVID-19 outbreaks in Virginia have occurred in long-term care facilities, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday that the state will direct nearly $250 million to these facilities for coronavirus response, with most of the funding coming from federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. Northam has also directed the […]
Fairfax medical office building sells for $4.6M
A medical office building in Fairfax County’s Merrifield area has sold for $4.6 million, Toronto, Canada-based commercial real estate company Avison Young Inc. announced Monday. The five-story, 53,430-square-foot building is 37% leased to several medical practices, says Avison Young Principal Jim Kornick, who led the sale on behalf of the seller, Harrison Street Real Estate. […]
Health accelerator program coming to Richmond
Richmond-based seed-stage accelerator Lighthouse Labs is partnering with the Health Innovation Consortium (HIC) to start a health-focused startup accelerator program in Virginia, the groups announced Thursday. Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU Health and Richmond-based nonprofit Activation Capital created HIC, which launched in January 2019 to bring health care ideas to the market. “Health[...]
What does ‘reopening’ actually mean?
Updated May 14, 6:15 p.m. With most of Virginia preparing to enter the first phase of Gov. Ralph Northam’s “Forward Virginia” plan on Friday, there’s still a fair number of questions about what exactly Phase One of “reopening the state” means for business owners, employees and consumers. Here’s what you should know: Reopening in Phase […]
U.Va. research to inform COVID-19 drug treatment
The University of Virginia School of Medicine announced Tuesday that results from a 2019 U.Va. study are being used to inform a national study looking into the effectiveness of the antidepressant medication fluvoxamine as a potential treatment for COVID-19. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say the drug may prevent dangerous […]
FEMA sending three decontamination systems to Virginia
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved sending Virginia three decontamination systems that can collectively sterilize up to 240,000 units of personal protective equipment (PPE) per day for reuse, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Saturday. The Battelle Critical Care Decontamination Systems, which will be operational within the next week, will be stationed at the Marching [&hellip[...]
Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents names medical director
Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents in New Kent County, which treats patients who suffer from chronic illness, brain injury or neurological impairment, announced this week that Dr. Brett Sharp has been named as its medical director, which became effective April 20. Sharp, who has 29 years of clinical experience, has been in private practice […]
Nonemergency medical procedures to resume Friday
Virginia hospitals, outpatient care providers, dentists and veterinarians can resume performing elective surgeries and nonemergency procedures after a temporary ban expires at midnight Thursday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced during a news conference on Wednesday. “I want to encourage all Virginians that your health care is important and I encourage you to resume that health care […]
Northam extends ban on elective surgeries until May 1
Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday extended the ban on elective surgeries at Virginia hospitals until May 1, despite the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association’s (VHHA) letter sent to Northam urging him not to extend the executive order. Northam issued Order of Health Public Emergency Two on March 25, prohibiting non-emergency medical procedures in an effort […]
Virginia Tech develops in-house COVID-19 testing
Virginia Tech researchers announced Wednesday they have developed in-house COVID-19 testing kits and lab processing services to assist Southwest Virginia health departments with patient testing. Test results can be returned to the health departments as soon as same day. The initiative is being led by Dr. Michael Friedlander, Tech’s vice president of health sciences and technology […]
Virginia is ‘pivoting away’ from field hospitals
Virginia is “pivoting away” from needing field hospitals to handle patient overflow because health systems believe they’ll be able to manage any surge in COVID-19 cases, said Dr. Danny Avula, the director of Richmond and Henrico County‘s health departments, Friday evening. “We have not seen any significant increase in hospitalization [and] ventilator use is under […]
Carilion Clinic furloughs workers, reduces hours
With its regular ambulatory and inpatient care declining by 40% to 70% during the COVID-19 crisis, Roanoke-based Carilion Clinic announced Tuesday it is furloughing employees to reduce expenses. It follows similar measures taken by other health care systems operating in Virginia including Bon Secours Mercy Health and Ballad Health. The number of employees who will be […]