This browser does not support the Video element.
Virginia Ralph Northam addresses concerning coronavirus statistics
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam provided an update on the state's response to the novel coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday.
RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Governor Ralph Northam raised the specter of new COVID-19 restrictions for the Commonwealth over the weekend after health officials sounded the alarm over troubling data.
READ MORE: Virginia Gov. Northam warns he may roll back reopening if COVID-19 numbers don't improve
But the ominous tone of the warning dissipated during a Tuesday news conference when the Governor issued a series of restrictions to be implemented solely in the Hampton Roads area.
In stark contrast to the rest of the state’s 6 percent case positivity rate, a 10.8 percent positivity rate in Hampton Roads drew particular concern from the state’s health officials.
Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and Weather
Northam announced a new order effective at midnight on Thursday that will close restaurants at midnight and forbid alcohol consumption after 10 p.m. In addition, restaurants must close at midnight.
The governor said that order would “effectively” ban bars.
In addition, the order restricts restaurant capacity to 50 percent, and limits gatherings to 50 people.
READ MORE: Here's what DC, Maryland and Virginia school districts have planned for the fall
The governor did not indicate that similar measures could be put in place elsewhere, indicating that Northern Virginia was showing particularly promising metrics.
Shortly after the novel coronavirus’ arrival in Virginia, it quickly established a hot spot in the state’s most densely populated region in suburban D.C.
Nevertheless, the governor did note that officials will continue to follow the data in order to determine which regulations could be implemented to curb concerning trends.