Health officials are urging Virginians to be safe if they plan on being around their family or friends this holiday.

The omicron variant of COVID-19 has reached Virginia.

Students and staff at Highland County Public Schools will have to wait a bit longer to start the school year.

Another child in Virginia has died after contracting the coronavirus.

As more students head back to the classroom, the state's top health leader is standing by his decision to require masks in schools.

The Virginia Department of Health announced that the Commonwealth will make third doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised people this month.

On Thursday night, hours after Virginia issued a universal mask mandate for all schools, one school board voted to not follow suit.

On Thursday, Virginia announced that all schools will have to require masks for everyone while inside school buildings.

This death marks the first child COVD-19 death in Virginia’s Eastern region.

Virginia continues to make progress in protecting people from the coronavirus as more and more people receive the vaccine. The Virginia Department of Health announced Tuesday that some health districts will begin the transition to Phase 1c vaccinations this week and that all communities across Virginia should be able to open to this group of essential workers by mid-April. The Pittsylvania/Danville Health District and Southside Health District, which covers Brunswick, Halifax and Mecklenburg counties, are among those now in Phase 1c. Phase 1b includes those 65 and older, those 16-64 with underlying medical conditions and some frontline essential workers. Overlap of vaccination of groups may occur to ensure people in each phase are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible.

About a year into the coronavirus pandemic, Virginia has had its first child die after contracting COVID-19. On Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health announced that someone between the ages of 0 and 9 living in the state’s Central Region died from complications of a chronic health condition and COVID-19. [Virginia reporting 9,357 coronavirus-related deaths]This death is the first recorded death in Virginia of anyone in that age range. Across the country, there have been more than 80 COVID-19 deaths among children under 5 years old and more than 180 COVID-19 deaths among children 5 to 17 years old. Virginia Department of Health map of regions and districts (Virginia Department of Health)The child’s death will be reflected in Friday’s COVID-19 dashboard update.

After high school, Oliver said he became involved with the civil rights movement, which shaped his outlook on life. At the age of 36, Norm Oliver decided he wanted to be Dr. Oliver, but faced a major challenge: “I had not gone to college,” Oliver said. AdHe soon earned his bachelor’s degree and at the age of 40 started medical school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Webb said Dr. Oliver has continued to serve as a mentor to him. Dr. Oliver later became chair of the Department of Family Medicine and worked to make its clinics more patient-focused.

Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that Virginia will soon begin providing more information about vaccine recipients in the Commonwealth. [Virginians 65 and older, here’s how you can request a coronavirus vaccine]As of Thursday, 553,463 Virginians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. No race or ethnicity is reported for 49.63% of that group. So far, 88,410 Virginians have been fully vaccinated and no race or ethnicity data is available for 50,069, or 56.63% of that group. AdOn Monday, Virginia Health Commissioner Dr.

An adult in Northern Virginia tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7, the strain that emerged in the UK late last year, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The health department’s interactive map]VDH says that this strain is associated with increased person-to-person transmission of COVID-19. “Viruses change all the time, and we expect to see new strains as disease spreads,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. “We know this variant strain spreads more quickly between people than other strains currently circulating in our communities, but we still have more to learn about whether it causes more severe illness. In the United States, nearly 200 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant have been detected in 23 states as of Jan. 22.

ROANOKE, Va. – Before the year’s end, Virginia hopes to have nearly all the COVID-19 vaccine it needs to fully vaccinate the state’s two top-priority groups. The state is preparing to receive an estimated total of 480,000 doses of vaccine from Pfizer and Moderna, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Northam lays out state’s three-phased coronavirus vaccine distribution plan]Officials said that the first doses will be given to health care personnel and long-term care facility residents. “Vaccine will be provided to Virginians in a way that is fair, ethical, and transparent,” said Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. The video below is of Northam detailing Virginia’s COVID-19 distribution plan:

Virginia has now had a teenager die after contracting the coronavirus. The person lived in the Southside Health District, according to the Virginia Department of Health. This marks the first death of anyone between the ages of 10 and 19 in the commonwealth who tested positive for the coronavirus. Since March, Virginia has reported 2,949 deaths across the state. “We were extremely saddened to learn of the loss of the state’s first adolescent with COVID-19.

RICHMOND, Va. – There seems to be an app for everything, and now there’s one for tracking coronavirus cases. Virginia is the first state in the country to use the technology, created by Apple and Google. Norm Oliver, Virginia’s health commissioner. The health department’s interactive map]After downloading the app, users are prompted to opt-in to the notification system. The Virginia Department of Health has posted an FAQ page on its website to help answer them

RICHMOND, Va. The Virginia Department of Health is deploying new strategies to combat the coronavirus. Norm Oliver said Wednesday that in early August, theyll be rolling out a new app, COVID Wise, that will notify you if youve been in close proximity to someone whos tested positive. Oliver said in order for the app to be effective, it will have to be widely used, with hundreds of thousands, if not millions of users. Oliver also said VDH is teaming up with the University of Virginia on a study to identify how many adults in Virginia already have COVID antibodies. He urged Virginians to continue practicing social distancing, wearing face masks and washing their hands frequently.

Ralph Northam announced Tuesday local health departments will begin to crack down on coronavirus restrictions, including the mask mandate, business licenses could be on the line amid the plan for stricter guidelines. Several local business owners told 10 News theyve already been enforcing the rules, mainly those regarding face masks. Northams announcement on Tuesday changes the role of the health department from a policy of education to also include one of enforcement. Most of the additional health inspectors will be deployed in the hard-hit Hampton Roads area, but Northam said increased enforcement is a statewide effort. READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:Up to now, the Virginia Department of Healths emphasis regarding the executive orders has been on education and reminders.

Because of this, Northam urged businesses to enforce a no shoes, no shirt, no mask, no service policy. Northam also said that for businesses that dont enforce social distancing and masks, their licenses could be on the line. As cases continue to rise, Northam said reopening guidelines could change. According to the governor, cases within the 20-29 age group have increased by 250%. Norm Oliver, Virginia Department of Health Director, says he has sent a letter to local health directors telling them to enforce social distancing guidelines and mask requirements.

ROANOKE, Va. – As protests continue across Virginia, the state’s department of health is concerned about the health of those out protesting. During these large protests, the coronavirus can spread more easily, especially if protesters are not wearing masks, according to VDH. Those who have attended protests may be at higher risk of contracting the virus. People can have COVID-19 and not show symptoms or have only mild symptoms and unknowingly spread the virus to others. The health department said it will continue to monitor and respond to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak while supporting Virginians’ right to engage in civic action.

Northam announced that he is extending parts of his public health emergency. He extended the current ban on elective surgeries by one week, until May 1, and the closure of DMV public-facing offices by two weeks, until May 11. The ban on elective surgeries will continue while Northam and State Health Commissioner Dr. “We have increased our supply of PPE, but before we allow elective surgeries to resume, we must first be assured that the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who are fighting this virus or conducting emergency surgeries have the necessary supplies. Click here to see the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding Public Health Emergency Order Two.