First confirmed case of coronavirus in Southwest Virginia

March 20, 2020

Local News

ROANOKE, Va. – State health officials have confirmed the first case of coronavirus in southwest Virginia.

The confirmation came Thursday from Carilion Clinic, which identifies the patient as a woman in her 80s who lives in Botetourt County, which is in the Alleghany Health District.

The elderly woman was admitted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 16, exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and was tested. She was then placed in a COVID-19 isolation unit and remains in serious condition.

Results were received from a commercial testing lab March 19 and immediately shared with the Virginia Department of Health. VDH is overseeing the investigation to trace patient contacts.

While treating the patient, Carilion’s infection prevention team followed all necessary safeguards to ensure that hospital staff and visitors remained safe.