Day Shift
First VA 'Rona Death for Child Under 10
A child in central Virginia has died from COVID-19, the state’s first coronavirus death of a child under the age of 10.
The child died from complications of a chronic health condition and COVID-19, the state health department said in a news release Thursday. The department did not release the name of the child or any other descriptive information.
“Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the family and friends of this child,” state Health Commissioner Norman Oliver said in a statement.
While most children have escaped the virus’s most detrimental effects, Oliver said more than 80 children under the age of 5 across the country have died because of the virus. It has killed more than 180 between ages 5 and 17.
“While fewer cases of COVID-19 are reported in children compared with adults, children are not immune to the disease,” Oliver said. “At a time when vaccination efforts give us reason to be hopeful, we cannot let down our guard.”
Authorities do not plan to immediately vaccinate children.
www.richmond.com/special-report/coronavirus/first-child-in-virginia-under-the-age-of-10-dies-from-covid/article_a7c71bd1-2954-5082-b5bb-6376b787adae.html
Fort Lee, VA Being Considered to House Migrant Children
PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The U.S. government is considering Army Garrison Fort Lee as a potential site to house migrant children as a way to help meet an increased demand in capacity needs.
Army Public Affairs at the Pentagon told 8News that, upon request from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Army coordinated a site assessment at Fort Lee for HHS personnel to determine if certain facilities at the base might be suitable for temporary housing for unaccompanied children.
“The Army has not received a formal Request for Assistance (RFA) from HHS to house Unaccompanied Children on Fort Lee,” Jason Waggoner with the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs said in a statement.
In other words, there is no concrete timeline as to when or if migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border will be transferred to Virginia.
This comes amid an increase in the number of migrant children arriving at the southwest border in recent months, putting pressure on shelters run by HHS that house the children, especially with COVID-19 mitigation efforts in place. Unaccompanied migrant children are housed at such shelters before they are released to parents or other sponsors in the United States.
www.wric.com/news/breaking-news/ft-lee-being-considered-as-potential-site-to-house-migrant-children/amp/