Since Veterans Affairs leaders reported the first death of a VA patient from coronavirus in mid-March, the number of positive cases — and fatalities — in the department’s health system has risen dramatically.

As of April 2, there have been 78 patients who have died from the illness, the majority of them in the last few days. That number increased by 10 from the day before and totaled just nine one week ago.

VA officials have offered only partial details of the deaths, but so far all of the fatalities have been among patients aged 50 or older.

Across all VA sites, 2,184 patients in VA care have tested positive for the fast-spreading virus. One week ago, that number was under 600.

Based on information released by department health officials, here are the VA medical centers currently dealing with coronavirus cases:

On Friday, five VA medical centers announced their first official positive tests of coronavirus among patients: Boise, Idaho; Durham, N.C.; Erie, Penn.; Grand Junction, Colo.; and Huntingdon, W. Va.

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Officials also said any veteran with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should contact their local VA facility before visiting to determine their next steps.

In a statement, department leaders have promised “an aggressive public health response to protect and care for veterans, their families, health care providers, and staff in the face of this emerging health risk.”

That includes work with the CDC and the possibility of accepting some non-veteran patients at VA medical centers to provide relief to overtaxed local health care systems.