The Peninsula Health District has has announced that two residents have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Officials said these are the first two cases in that district and that it is believed that these cases were related to international travel and were not acquired through local community spread.
The Peninsula Health District is currently conducting a thorough investigation of these cases and any potential exposures.
The Peninsula Health District is comprised of Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County. An update from the James City County government said that the cases are in the greater Williamsburg area.
"Given the nature of the current outbreak, discovering COVID-19 in our community does not come as a surprise and we expect to see more cases in the coming weeks. Fortunately, at this time we have not seen community-wide spread of the virus," said Peninsula Health District Director Dr. Thomas Franck. The health department continues to conduct surveillance and investigation of any future potential cases. This is a continually evolving situation in Virginia and nationwide, and the Health Department will continue to keep people informed.
Earlier Thursday Gov. Northam declared a state of emergency for Virginia after 17 Virginians tested positive for the new coronavirus.
