April Payne, VHCA-VCAL vice president of quality improvement, was part of Gov. Ralph Northam’s press conference on March 11 to provide updates and discuss ongoing state efforts to respond to COVID-19 in Virginia. Payne described efforts long term care providers are taking to reassure the public about the priority of preventing COVID-19 from getting into facilities to protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. She explained, “We know many families are concerned about their loved ones in our care. With guidance from CMS and our national association, we are advising our communities to take dramatic action to limit non-essential individuals from entering our facilities.”

Watch video of her remarks.

Various news outlets covered the press conference.

• Virginia Logs 9th COVID-19 Case But No State of Emergency (wvtf.org, March 11, 2020)
• Coronavirus reaches central Virginia; Gov. Northam expects to see number of cases increase (nbc12.com, March 11, 2020)
• First Central Va. coronavirus case confirmed, ninth in the state (virginiabusiness.com, March 11, 2020)
• Governor gives update on coronavirus; 9 cases in VA (wdbj7.com, March 11, 2020)