State sees small increase in new virus cases overnight

The number of new coronavirus cases reported overnight in Virginia rose above 600 after dropping for several days.

There are now 51,499 confirmed cases and 2,370 probable in the state, with 628 new cases reported Saturday. Probable cases are counted when medical professionals consider someone to have the virus based on symptoms or epidemiological evidence despite not being tested.

There have been 1,541 deaths from the disease, with seven new deaths reported since Friday. Five of those were in long-term care facilities. To date 57% of the deaths have been from long-term care facilities.

Gov. Ralph Northam has said he wants to see a 14-day downward trend in the percentage of positive coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, as well as an increase in the number of tests and personal protective equipment available between each phase before moving forward. Virginia moved into Phase 2 on June 5. That significantly relaxes guidelines and allows more businesses to open.

The state reported an a d d i t i o n a l 9,4 51 tests overnight for a total of 457,623, not counting antibody tests.

Accomack County, which leads the region in the number of cases, had an overnight increase of two cases for a total of 989 cases. Thus far 14 people have died there of the coronavirus.

Here are the latest numbers compared to Friday. The larger number represents the amount of cases reported in each locality since the pandemic began.

Virginia Beach: 869 cases (up 22); 27 deaths (no change)

Chesapeake: 650 cases (up 14); 16 deaths (no change)

Norfolk: 643 cases (up 13); 7 deaths (no change)

Portsmouth: 375 cases (up 5); 12 deaths (up one)

Suffolk: 314 cases (up 4); 33 deaths (no change)

Hampton: 234 cases (no change); 5 deaths (no change)

Newport News: 357 cases (no change); 10 deaths (no change)

James City County: 231 cases (up 1); 15 deaths (no change)

Isle of Wight: 154 cases (up 4); 8 deaths (no change)

Northampton County: 261 cases (up 2); 27 deaths (no change)

Poquoson: 11 cases (no change); no deaths

York: 91 cases (up 1); 3 deaths (no change)

Williamsburg: 49 cases (no change); 5 deaths (no change)

Mathews: 5 cases (no change); no deaths

Middlesex: 14 cases (no change); no deaths

Gloucester: 36 cases (up 1); 1 death (no change)

THE' N. PHAM/STAFF Tanyell Thomas, left, of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, gives out instructions before administrating a nasal-swab COVID-19 test at Geneva Square last week in Chesapeake.