Kaine Reports Positive Antibody Test; 10K Testing Jump In VA

VIRGINIA — Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said Thursday he and his wife, Anne, tested positive for coronavirus antibodies earlier this month after experiencing symptoms of the respiratory disease in March and April.

After testing positive for the flu earlier in the year, the state's junior senator said in a statement he experienced new symptoms in late March. He initially thought the symptoms were flu remnants and a reaction to a high pollen count. But when his wife developed fever and chills, then congestion and a cough, they went to health providers in early April.

The health providers said it was possible they had mild cases of coronavirus, but Kaine said they weren't tested due to the national testing shortage. The couple isolated and worked at their home in Richmond before becoming symptom-free in mid-April.

"We each tested positive for coronavirus antibodies this month," said Kaine. "While those antibodies could make us less likely to be re-infected or infect others, there is still too much uncertainty over what protection antibodies may actually provide. So we will keep following CDC guidelines — hand-washing, mask wearing, social distancing."

According to NPR, other members of Congress who tested positive for the virus or were presumed positive include Sen. Rand Paul, Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, Ben McAdams, Seth Moulton, Joe Cunningham, Mike Kelly, Rep. Nydia Velázquez and Neal Dunn.


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On Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 1,152 additional cases of the coronavirus, the fourth highest daily increase of cases since the crisis began in the commonwealth. The new cases are among more than 10,000 new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reported in the last day. Virginia's latest cumulative totals are 41,401 cases, 1,338 deaths and 4,442 hospitalizations.

To date, 285,273 PCR tests have been completed in Virginia, an increase of 10,199 from Wednesday. When counting PCR and antibody tests, the daily increase is 11,447. PCR tests determine active infection through respiratory samples, while antibody tests can detect previous infection.

The percent positivity average among all completed tests continues to trend down. Virginia's latest 7-day positivity rate for PCR tests is 13.8 percent, down from 14.1 percent on Tuesday. Northern Virginia's latest 7-day positivity rate for only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was 18.9 percent on May 25, down from 19.8 percent on May 24 and 24.6 percent a week ago on May 18.

The number of patients currently hospitalized has increased in the past two days. The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association reported 1,502 pending or confirmed COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized, up from 1,459 on Wednesday and 1,403 on Tuesday. There have been 5,472 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals, up from 5,367 on Wednesday.

There are 416 pending or confirmed COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in the intensive care unit, up from 390 on Wednesday. However, the 195 COVID-19 patients using ventilators decreased from 203 since Wednesday. A total of 627 ventilators of 2,949 available at hospitals are in use, representing 21-percent use in Virginia. No hospitals are experiencing difficulty obtaining or restocking protective gear or other medical supplies in the next 72 hours.

Northern Virginia accounts for 685 new cases on Thursday. This includes 434 in Fairfax County, 83 in Prince William County, 63 in Alexandria, 51 in Arlington County, 44 in Loudoun County, five in Manassas, four in Fairfax City, and one in Manassas Park.

Here are the latest cumulative case updates for our coverage areas from Wednesday to Thursday:

  • Alexandria: 1,887 cases, 180 hospitalizations, 44 deaths; increase of 63 cases, five hospitalizations and two deaths

  • Arlington County: 2,039 cases, 373 hospitalizations, 109 deaths; increase of 51 cases and two hospitalizations

  • Fairfax County: 10,503 cases, 1,267 hospitalizations, 371 deaths; increase of 434 cases, one hospitalization and seven deaths.

  • Fairfax City: 63 cases, eight hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of four cases and two deaths

  • Falls Church: 53 cases, 11 hospitalizations, eight deaths; no change

  • Loudoun County: 2,318 cases, 156 hospitalizations, 63 deaths; increase of 44 cases, one hospitalization and 10 deaths

  • Manassas: 971 cases, 63 hospitalizations, 10 deaths; increase of five cases and two hospitalizations

  • Manassas Park: 281 cases, 30 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of one case

  • Prince William County: 5,157 cases, 439 hospitalizations, 101 deaths; increase of 83 cases, four hospitalizations and two deaths

  • Fredericksburg: 142 cases, 18 hospitalizations, no deaths; increase of seven cases and two hosptializations

  • Spotsylvania County: 487 cases, 36 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of 13 cases and one hospitalization

  • Stafford County: 672 cases, 70 hospitalizations, four deaths; increase of 15 cases and one hospitalizations

Globally, more than 5.7 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 356,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Wednesday. In the United States, more than 1.6 million people have been infected and over 100,000 people have died from COVID-19.

Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday that Northern Virginia, the city of Richmond and Accomack County will join the rest of the commonwealth in phase one of reopening Friday, May 29. Northam did not grant Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney's request for a modified phase one. Leaders in Northern Virginia wrote to the governor Sunday indicating the region met all reopening metrics except contact tracing and sustained protective gear in non-hospital settings. The governor said Accomack County officials expressed support for moving into phase one.

Residents in all areas of Virginia will have to wear face coverings in certain indoor spaces starting on Friday. The requirement applies to anyone aged 10 and older when indoors at brick-and-mortar retail, personal care and grooming businesses, places where people congregate, food and beverage businesses, on public transportation, and at state or local government services. The requirement will not apply to eating and drinking at restaurants and exercising. Anyone with a health condition that prevents them from wearing a face mask will not have to wear one.

Northam will give his updates on the coronavirus response during a news conference at 2 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on the McLean Patch