Senator, local health officials to discuss pandemic

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner is scheduled this morning to meet virtually with Southwest Virginia health care officials “to discuss the federal response to the surging number of COVID-19 cases in the region,” according to a Monday press release.

Last week, Warner unveiled a $908 billion federal COVID-19 relief package “framework,” it states. Of that, $35 billion would go toward helping health providers tackle the surge in cases, while $16 billion would be used for testing, contact tracing and vaccine distribution.

Today’s virtual meeting will include Ballad Health Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton, LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau health districts Director Dr. Sue Cantrell and an official of Carilion’s New River Valley health network.