Va. COVID-19 cases reach 28,672

The state now has 28,672 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, an increase of 859 since Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health reported Friday. There are also 977 confirmed and probable deaths related to the coronavirus, and 3,657 people hospitalized throughout the state.

New today on the VDH dashboard is a breakdown of how many molecular (or PCR) tests are reflected in the state’s data — in recent days, Virginia came under heavy criticism for combining the PCR testing numbers with serological (or antibody) tests in its total testing data without distinguishing between the different types of tests. Experts at Harvard and Johns Hopkins University said lumping the numbers together can be misleading. Also, antibody tests, which are relatively recently developed, are not considered totally reliable, including by Virginia health officials.

According to Friday’s data, 176,681 PCR tests have been conducted statewide, with a 15% positivity rate.

Much of the state entered Phase One of Gov. Ralph Northam’s “Forward Virginia” reopening plan at midnight, although Richmond, Accomack County and the Northern Virginia region have delayed reopening until May 29.

These are the Virginia localities that have reported 400 or more cases, as of May 15:

• Fairfax County: 7,159
• Prince William County: 3,421
• Arlington County: 1,534
• Alexandria: 1,396
• Loudoun County: 1,374
• Henrico County: 1,198
• Chesterfield County: 946
• Harrisonburg: 620
• Richmond: 665
• Accomack County: 648
• Virginia Beach: 535
• Manassas City: 533
• Stafford County: 442

Globally, there are 4.44 million reported COVID-19 cases and 302,493 confirmed deaths as of May 14. In the United States, which has the most confirmed cases and deaths worldwide, there are 1.417 million confirmed cases and 85,906 deaths attributed to the coronavirus.

Below is the latest data from VDH:

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