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COVID roundup: AG says Va. public colleges can require vaccine
As more Virginians get vaccinated, the attorney general has issued an opinion concluding that the state’s public colleges and universities can require COVID-19 vaccinations for in-person attendance this fall — although it remains up to individual institutions. “There is no question that the General Assembly could enact[...]
Bar seating reopened statewide, governor declares
For the first time in more than a year, Virginians are now allowed to sit at bars for service as long as they stay at least six feet apart. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam amended Executive Order 72 on Wednesday without an announcement, making the following policy change for restaurants, breweries, distilleries, wineries and tasting[...]
Virginia colleges mull legality of mandatory COVID vaccine
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia universities plan a return to campuses in the fall, but there are questions if the COVID-19 vaccine can be mandated. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration only authorized the vaccine for emergency purposes, according to Lisa Lee, professor of public health at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. The vaccin[...]
Maximus acquires Houston veterans services company for $1.4B
Reston-based government services company Maximus announced Wednesday that it will purchase the parent company of Veterans Evaluation Services Inc. (VES) for $1.4 billion. Based in Houston, VES is a privately held company that serves the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as a provider of medical disability examinations to determine veterans’ eligibility […][...]
Central Va. pharma hub strategic plan released
On Tuesday, the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering announced its strategy to turn Central Virginia into an advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development hub. The strategic plan aims to foster business and job growth in the Richmond-Petersburg area while also expanding access to medicines. The creation of the plan was funded by a $100,000 […]
Biotech firm moving to new Richmond location, creating 250 jobs
Grenova Inc., a Richmond-based sustainable biotech company, plans to move to a larger facility in the city, investing $10.6 million and creating 250 jobs over the next three years, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The company is currently located in the Manchester neighborhood but will move to a larger facility across from The Diamond baseball […]
COVID roundup: Va. now offering vaccines to everyone age 16+
All Virginians age 16 and up are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, which you may have heard Monday morning in a loud public safety alert sent to smartphones by the Virginia Department of Health. All U.S. states met President Joe Biden’s April 19 deadline to expand vaccine eligibility for all adults, regardless of job,[...]
Virginia expands Medicaid access for legal immigrants
RICHMOND, Va. — Ni Kin became a permanent resident in 2002 at 70 years old, but she was unable to work after moving from Myanmar to Virginia due to mobility problems. Kin required more medical attention related to her condition as she aged, but was unable to see a doctor because she didn’t have insurance, […]
Va. woman’s death connected to Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause
A 45-year-old Virginia woman’s death due to a rare blood clot days after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is connected to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s call for a pause on administering the one-dose vaccine, state health officials confirmed Tuesday. “The U.S. Centers for[...]
J&J vaccine put on pause in Va. due to safety concerns
Updated 6:30 p.m. April 13: Virginia health officials say the CDC has confirmed the Virginia woman’s death is connected to their call earlier Tuesday for a pause on use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Earlier: On Tuesday, the Virginia Department of Health immediately put a pause on its use of the Johnson & Johns[...]
UVA Health hires chief diversity & community engagement officers
Charlottesville-based UVA Health has named Dr. Tracy M. Downs as the health system’s inaugural chief diversity & community engagement officer, effective July 1. A urologist who specializes in the surgical treatment of urologic cancers, Downs previously served as associate dean for diversity and multicultural affairs and as a professor of urologic oncology for the University […]
COVID roundup: Most of Va. is now in vaccine phase 2
Update, April 13: Virginia Department of Health pauses use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration advise halt due to rare blood clot issue. Earlier: The majority of the state has entered the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination as of Monday, opening el[...]
