Three coronavirus cases in Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro region

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STAUNTON — There are two positive COVID-19 cases in Augusta County and one positive COVID-19 case in Staunton, according to the Virginia Department of Health's Central Shenandoah Health District.

There were no additional details about the ages of the patients or the suspected source of infection included in a press release issued by Staunton City Manager Steven Rosenberg, Augusta County Administrator Timothy Fitzgerald and Waynesboro City Manager Michael Hamp. It is unclear if the three cases are related.

City officials will not be sharing any additional comment on individual cases and all information about the specifics must come from the health district, according to Rosenberg.

"Regardless of those details, the presence of positive cases in our community underscores the seriousness for all of us in strictly adhering to social distancing guidelines and other recommendations for preventing COVID-19 spread," Rosenberg said.

When asked about case specifics, Central Shenandoah Health District Director Laura Kornegay said the district is limiting messaging to case counts and localities. Regardless of changes in case counts in a specific locality, the district has the same message to the public: social distancing, hand washing, staying home when sick, avoiding contact with sick people, practicing respiratory etiquette and disinfecting high touch areas.

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In the release, Kornegay also emphasized the importance of following public health guidelines on social distancing and good hygiene.

"Social distancing is one of the most effective strategies in lessening the impact of this pandemic,” Kornegay said. "We all have a responsibility and duty to do everything we can to protect ourselves and our community from this novel coronavirus."

The release encourages individuals who have chronic medical conditions or are 65 or older to "seriously consider staying home."

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For resources and more information from the local governments, residents can visit the following sites:

Staunton: www.staunton.va.us/COVID-19

www.staunton.va.us/COVID-19 Augusta County: www.augustacountyva.gov/covid19

www.augustacountyva.gov/covid19 Waynesboro: www.waynesboro.va.us/1032/Coronavirus-Resource-information

The News Leader is working to get additional information. This story will be updated.

Share questions, comments or story ideas with Leanna Smith at lsmith@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @LeannaCSmith.