Northam: Dulles Expo Center is now site where construction can go fastest,, so now that will be first field hospital - 315 acute or 510 non acute beds.
Hampton Roads Conv Center (360 or 580)
Richmond Conv Center (432 or 758) also advancing,
Need to contract, design, construct
Northam says those three field hospitals will be ready in about 6 weeks - around the time of the peak of the surge of projected hospitalizations in Virginia
Northam: Spike in claims "overwhelming our unemployment system" - says they have upgraded website, increased server capacity, and are adding 20% more call volumes
Also fixing under new federal rules to allow "gig workers" to apply
Northam: Medicaid enrollment also rising - glad Virginia expanded eligibility
Northam: "We're facing a recession" and a major impact on state budgets
Expect significantly less revenue than even most pessimistic forecast, plus increased hospital/PPE & aid funding
He's stopped discretionary agency spending, preparing for cuts starting in July
Northam says revised budget will avoid any new commitments
Northam: Additional positive tests at Nursing home that included many with no symptoms emphasizes importance of staying home to prevent the spread of #Covid_19
Northam again says we are still in early stages and the steps taken now will shape what comes next

On state parks/public lands - Northam glad people getting exercise, but says cannot be in groups or violating social distancing rules on beaches, parks or preserves
Northam suggests if "a few irresponsible people" don't follow the rules, they'll have to shut down public areas even though they'd prefer not to
"We will be watching this weekend"
Health Commissioner Dr. Oliver: Areas with widest confirmed spread in Virginia are Northern Virginia, Richmond, Tidewater regions
Field hospitals are meant to help hospital systems with pressure
Dr. Oliver also notes that next week is public health worker appreciation week. Needless to say, they won't be able to have their party marking it this year
Northam on religious observances like Easter, Passover, Ramadan:
"These are not normal times"
Additional state guidance urges alternative worship - virtual gatherings or drive in services
"It's hard on all of us"
Northam's pastor emphasizing importance of staying home too
Question on rent during this crisis - Chief of Staff Clark Mercer
-Va connecting 500 mostly empty hotels with homeless services
- Va courts have stopped eviction proceedings
- Va housing financing authority trying to limit evictions
Northam on people wearing cloth masks in public:
- No law enforcement would arrest you, can assure you
- Still asking for more PPE for hospitals/first responders etc
- If have scarf/other face covering, Northam wouldn't discourage using it to protect others around them
Va Health Sec Carey: We are committed to finding every piece of PPE possible - scouring everywhere
"We are always planning for that next surge"
For field hospitals - have to make sure have staff, supplies, systems
"Supplies remain an issue" but committed to move forward
Sec Carey says when supply does come through, wants to be sure there are no issues with staffing and systems that further delay field hospitals
Sec Carey says state has asked for 350 ventilators from national stockpile and tried to order 350 ventilators from private sector, haven't gotten it.
Hospitals also trying to get them
Northam says innovation like valves for multiple patients still in process
Asked about ABC stores still being open, as "essential", Gov. Northam says treating like other retail - if can be open with <10 people inside and with social distancing can stay open
Northam says Dulles Expo Center first field hospital rather than the former Exxon Mobil/ now Inova site because expo center can be built out faster
Northam: Still looking at different models, expect surge peak sometime in May. Says the various models out there aren't secret
"Every area...is different"
Expect Virginia's peak surge in May
Northam: If you don't stay at home, if you don't practice social distancing, if you don't wash your hands frequently, assume you're going to get it.
"We're pleading with Virginians" to follow our guidelines to cut risk of being infected and flatten curve
Dr. Oliver outlines the various models out there - CHIME model on hospital bed use, Univ of Washington model with rosier picture, a London model, a Defense Threat Reduction Agency model being adjusted now to Virginia specific data
"Models are models" "a best guess"
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