Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney warned of a spike in COVID-19 cases Wednesday during his weekly briefing.
He cited figures from the federal Transportation Security Administration showing travel at its highest level since before the pandemic as the reason for the potential increase. The mayor asked those who have traveled or will be travelling to be vigilant as they return home.
“We have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks,” Stoney lamented. “I need you to monitor your symptoms… We need you to keep in contact with those you spent time with in the past week, so you know their symptoms as well.”
He encouraged Richmonders to get tested if they or anyone they gathered with over the holidays shows symptoms of the virus.
Stoney also urged people to use caution as the calendar turns to 2021, asking residents to avoid New Year’s gatherings.
“This is not New Year’s Eve 2019, 2018, 2017. This is not the time or a moment for a big blowout,” he said. “The rules still apply to all our restaurants and bars that are out there. You have to stop serving alcohol at 10 p.m.”
This week, the Virginia Department of Health reported 521 COVID-19 cases in Richmond, bringing the pandemic total to 9,046. Ninety-four Richmonders have died from the virus.
