COVID roundup: 1 year into pandemic, Va. makes headway with vaccinations
A year after the first COVID-19 cases in Virginia were recorded, the state is making significant headway in vaccinating residents. As of Monday, March 8, 1.49 million Virginians — or 17.5% of the state’s population — have received at least one shot. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-related deaths in Virginia was still hi[...]
90K Johnson & Johnson shots arriving in Va. this week
More than 90,000 Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses are arriving in Virginia now through Thursday, the state vaccine coordinator said Wednesday afternoon. According to Dr. Danny Avula, 69,000 doses of the one-shot vaccine are heading to local health districts, and retail pharmacies will receive 22,000 doses, which will[...]
Richmond council clears way for $325M VCU Health project
Richmond City Council approved the sale of the city’s Public Safety Building on Monday, clearing the way for a $325 million VCU Health System medical office tower and multi-use project downtown. Council members unanimously approved the 3-acre property’s $3.5 million sale to Capital City Partners LLC, a collaboration [...]
Lawmakers pass COVID-19 workers’ comp bills
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia General Assembly passed multiple bills allowing health care workers and first responders to receive workers’ compensation benefits if they are disabled or die due to COVID-19. “We did it!” Del. Chris Hurst, D-Blacksburg, said in a Twitter post. “Health care heroes who got COVID on the job will get the […]
COVID roundup: Johnson & Johnson vaccine headed to Va. this week
Virginia expects to receive its first allocation of 69,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses produced by Johnson & Johnson this week, along with about 360,000 more doses from Moderna and Pfizer Inc., the Virginia Department of Health announced this weekend. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Johnson & Johnson vaccin[...]
Maximus acquires Attain fed biz for $430M
Reston-based government services company Maximus announced Monday it has acquired the federal division of McLean-based Attain LLC for $430 million. With more than 30,000 employees worldwide and $2.8 billion in 2019 revenues, Maximus promotes itself as the nation’s largest Medicaid enrollment administrator. The company was founded in 1975 and provides business process management and technology […][...]
Emergency test
Health systems found themselves at a crossroads in 2020. Their services were in demand more than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but elective surgical procedures and other appointments were postponed — necessitating layoffs and furloughs last spring, including between 200 and 250 Ballad Health employees furloughed in Southw[...]
A new landmark for Alexandria
Mark Jinks sees the unoccupied, former site of Landmark Mall as a blemish on Alexandria. “When everybody drives by, they’re like, ‘What’s going on here? It’s closed. Why doesn’t the city do something?’” says Jinks, the city manager of Alexandria. After working for 16 years to see the 52-acre site redeveloped, Jin[...]
Virginia could get 400K+ COVID vaccine doses for first week of March
Virginia could receive up to 433,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine doses for the first week of March, depending on the timing of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine, according to Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccine coordinator. During a Friday news conferenc[...]
Delegate celebrates passage of limited paid leave bill
RICHMOND,Va. — After four years and multiple bills, Del. Elizabeth Guzmán, D-Woodbridge, is on the cusp of being able to secure paid leave for some Virginia workers. “It feels really good,” Guzmán said. “I think about the amount of people who are going to get this benefit and how they will have peace of mind [&hell[...]
COVID restrictions to be loosened Monday; more vaccine sites coming soon
As more pharmacies across the state receive vaccine doses from the federal government and the number of COVID-19 cases declines, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday he will roll back certain restrictions beginning Monday. Starting March 1, alcohol sales will be allowed in restaurants up to midnight instead of 10 p.m. Curfews will [...]
COVID roundup: 300K vaccine doses arrive in Va.
Virginia received an influx of more than 300,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week, in part due to the weather-delayed delivery of 106,000 Moderna doses that were expected last week. The state also is receiving a bump in doses directed to local health departments and districts, as well as twice as many doses arriving in retail [&[...]