First COVID-19 death reported in Western Tidewater Health District

Man in his 60s has died, VDH says

Published March 28, 2020 by Kate Andrews

A man in his 60s has died from respiratory failure in a hospital, Western Tidewater Health District announced Saturday in a news release. This is the district’s first COVID-19 fatality and likely the 19th death statewide, pending tests on two cases Friday afternoon.

The patient had several underlying medical conditions, which exacerbated the effects of the virus, according to the news release.

“The staff of the Western Tidewater Health District is deeply saddened by the death of this patient,” Dr. Todd Wagner, district director, said in a statement. “This is another reminder of how important it is for us to protect ourselves and others from the COVID-19 virus.”

Western Tidewater Health District includes Isle of Wight and Southampton counties, as well as the cities of Franklin and Suffolk. The death will be included in the 9 a.m. Sunday update of the Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 webpage. Saturday morning, there were 739 cases confirmed.