Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said Wednesday that he is preparing the state for a peak in coronavirus cases sometime in the next four to eight weeks.

“While we continue to examine the available models about when Virginia’s cases will surge, we currently expect that will be some time between late April and late May,” Northam said in a news briefing. “I am already thinking and planning about how we can land this plane on the backside of the curve.”

Northam emphasized the need for residents to follow the stay-at-home order he issued Monday, acknowledging that it will cause short-term hardship but saying it’s necessary to keep the coronavirus from spreading at a greater rate.

“The sooner we can put this crisis behind us the sooner our lives will return to normal and the sooner our economy will rebound,” he said, adding that “I want Virginians to be realistic in their expectations. You need to know the truth, no sugarcoating.”

The state and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have identified three sites as possible locations for a temporary hospital facility for use when the outbreak peaks: the former ExxonMobil campus in Fairfax near Inova Fairfax Hospital; the Hampton Convention Center in Hampton Roads; and a site in Richmond he did not disclose. Northam said he will announce a decision Friday regarding moving ahead with some or all of those sites. The evaluation team will look at further possible sites in Charlottesville and Roanoke in the coming days, he said.

The state received its third shipment of personal protective equipment from the national stockpile Wednesday, including face shields, gowns and masks.

“But we need more,” Northam said. “We continue to work all available options,” including putting pressure on companies in the state to help produce the protective gear.

The governor also acknowledged that his declaration of a state emergency and his stay-at-home order, both of which run through June 10, will affect two election cycles. Localities are scheduled to hold elections in May, and state primaries are set for June 9. The Republican Party of Virginia has implied that Northam was looking to suppress turnout for the primary to select a GOP opponent for incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D).

“I consider elections to be a fundamental democratic event,” Northam said, adding that his administration is “continuing to work through the best options for how to hold these elections.”