NEWSLETTER

AUGUST 5, 2020

Neighbors, 

In the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias, I hope you and your family are safe. 

Updates

Below are updates from the federal government, Governor Northam, state agencies, and the Virginia House of Delegates about:

  • 2020 Census

  • COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests

  • COVIDWISE App Launch

  • Contact Tracing Positions

8/6 Public Hearing on Criminal Justice Reform

As always, please let me know if I can be of assistance by calling my office 804-698-1042 or by emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov. 

Best, Kathy

Delegate, 42nd District 

Updates from the federal government

2020 Census

  • The US Census Bureau has announced it will be ending early all efforts to collect data for the 2020 Census. The new deadline to submit your information is September 30. If you have not done so already, I strongly encourage you to get counted by completing the Census questionnaire here.

Updates from Governor Northam and state agencies

COVID-19 rapid antigen tests

  • Virginia and five other states are forming a bipartisan interstate compact to negotiate the purchase of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests that have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. These tests deliver results within 15 to 20 minutes. This agreement puts Virginia on a path to purchase 500,000 tests.

COVIDWISE app launch

  • Today, the Virginia Department of Health launched COVIDWISE, an app that can notify you of possible COVID-19 exposure. You can learn more about this voluntary program, it’s data privacy policies, and how to download the app here. 

Contacting tracing positions

  • The Virginia Department of Health continues to hire contact tracers across Virginia. As of July 22, 2020, 1,547 health professionals were working in contact tracing and case investigation in the Commonwealth. You can learn more about how to apply here.

  • Available positions include:

    • Contact Tracers

    • Regional Contact Tracer Supervisors

    • Regional Testing Supervisor

    • Case Investigator

    • Data Manager

Updates from Virginia House of Delegates

8/6/20 Public Hearing on Criminal Justice Reform

  • August 6 at 10am is the final joint hearing on criminal justice reform hosted by the House of Delegates’ Courts of Justice and Public Safety Committees. As I have mentioned, the series of hearings are being held to gather input for the 2020 Special Session and the 2021 Legislative Session. You can sign up to speak or offer written comments here: bit.ly/vahousecalendar.

View my summary of the 2020 legislative session here.

View my previous e-newsletters here.

View my new COVID-19 resource page to see a summary of state actions, guidance, and resources here.