A Piedmont Health District Resident Succumbs to COVID-19

April  10, 2020
Media Contact: Lorrie Andrew-Spear, lorrie.andrew-spear@vdh.virginia.gov

A Piedmont Health District Resident Succumbs to COVID-19

(Farmville, VA) The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the life of an elderly Piedmont Health District citizen who was a resident of a local long term healthcare facility in the health district. No additional information is being provided about this individual. The facility is working closely with the Piedmont Health District. They are following health department guidance by taking necessary steps to protect the health of residents and staff.

“The entire Staff of the Piedmont Health District wish to share their deepest condolences with the families so deeply affected by this pandemic,” says Dr. Howard Nash, Piedmont Health District Director. “The Heart of Virginia weeps with you, and will heal with you as we work through these tough times together.”

The health department is continuing to collaborate with the facility to reduce risk of transmission, conduct contact investigations, and implement control measures.

In some patients, especially those at risk patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions, like diabetes, heart or lung disease or compromised immune systems.

We all can take steps to protect our health and the health of loved ones.
• Stay home
• Wash your hands often
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
• Practice social distancing and wear a cloth face covering when in public
• Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19 and your underlying condition or if you are sick

This is a rapidly changing situation, and information is being shared as it becomes available on the following websites: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus or www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/. Please consult www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus for the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia.

(NOTE: This fatality is not yet reflected in the VDH website dashboard, which is updated daily with cases recorded by 5 p.m. the evening before.)