As coronavirus cases tick up, Gov. Northam will be holding a briefing in 10 minutes or so.
We'll live tweet and cover the event for web and radio. https://twitter.com/myVPM/status/1283088382130819074

Northam says the state is seeing a coronavirus increase mostly in Hampton Roads - and "we are in this for the long haul" until we see a vaccine.

Statewide, case numbers are increasing per a 7-day trend Northam is showing - percent positivity is inching up, but still well below 10%, the goal for phase one.

Now Northam is showing regional rates - Central and Southeast are all rising - but Eastern Region is spiking. In early June, 60 new cases per day - today, over 300. Most new cases are in Tidewater, Northam says, with a 10.1% positivity rate and "substantial community spread."

A 250% increase in COVID cases for individuals 20-29 - Northam says the increase is driven by socializing without masks.
He stresses that we're not seeing spikes like Texas or Florida, but that Hampton Roads is a tourist hub - and we need to head off the spike now.

He's working with local health authorities to limit spread. He says they are reminding local health departments to enforce mask-wearing rules and will conduct unannounced visits to make sure businesses are in compliance with regulations on hand washing, mask wearing, etc.

He says business licenses are on the line - and just as stores mandate shirts & shoes, they can require masks. "You don't have to serve a patron who's not wearing a face covering. You can tell them to leave. And if they don't, they're trespassing, and you can call the police."

"I am considering other actions as needed, such as reductions in the size of gatherings," Northam says - saying his intention is to curb bad behavior by people clearly flouting the rules, who he says "are selfish."

Northam says none of this is political - it's about health and safety. He doesn't say it directly, but Republican-led states are also increasing restrictions in the face of mounting cases after relaxing lockdowns.

PPE update: Northam says medical supplies are in good numbers statewide.

Sorry - missed the bit on schools, it will be in our article.

Northam is giving update on eviction diversion - about 310 households have been helped, and 591 others are approved.

Most people needs rent relief, he says, because there are other protections for homeowners.

Unemployment update: 938,559 Virginians have applied for unemployment - 91% of eligible claims are paid within 14 days. A staff increase of 550% has made it possible to process claims faster, he says.

On July 28, there will be a virtual hiring event - he says more info will be out for that.

And the Department of Labor and Industry will release new safety standards this week for workers, which he says will be enforced.

41 DMV stations are open for people who need in-person services, Northam says, and locations have extended hours - over 7,000 appointments per day he says.

Northam says do your transaction online if you can - and reminds everyone that a 90-day extension applies to anything due in October.

"We have come a long, long way together since March," Northam says, citing success at flattening the curve and preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed. But, "We can't act like the virus has gone away."

He says we need to continue physical distancing - wearing a face covering - washing our hands - and staying at home if we feel sick. If we want our kids to go back to school - if we want to get back to something like normal life - we need to follow these practices.

Now Dr. Oliver is speaking - says Tidewater area health directors will be much stricter going forward, looking for egregious violators.

Violators will see ABC permits rescinded, he says.

Now in Q&A - we're working on article but we'll jump back on Twitter for anything major.