RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- Phase One of Gov. Ralph Northam's Forward Virginia reopening plan has officially begun for most of the Commonwealth as of midnight Friday, May 15.
Several localities requested to delay entering Phase One, including Northern Virginia,Richmond, and Accomack County.
As Phase One begins for the rest of the state, Northam said the ban on gatherings of 10 or more people remains in place and businesses who can allow telework, are encouraged to keep their employees working at home.
As of Friday, the Virginia Department of Health is reporting a total of 28,672 cases; 27,672 are confirmed and 1,379 are probable. The number of cases reported increased 859 from Thursday.
The number of deaths reported is 977, an increase of 22 from Thursday.
More on this story from our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.