March 20, 2020 -Sentara Careplex Hospital in Hampton, 3000 Coliseum Drive, will be a mobile testing site for COVID-19 Friday through Sunday. The hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Residents are encouraged to continue following recommended safety
The Virginia Department of Health
Numbers released Friday afternoon by the Virginia Department of Health show that 2,325 people have been tested for the coronavirus, 114 have tested positive and 20 have been hospitalized. To lower the risk of spreading germs, including COVID-19, the department continues to encourage residents to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
For more health information and updates, go to http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/ or call 757-594-7069 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week. If you think you have been exposed to the coronavirus and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your doctor or personal healthcare provider immediately. If it is life-threatening, call 911 immediately.
Sentara Testing
Sentara Careplex Hospital in Hampton will be a mobile testing site for COVID-19 Friday through Sunday. The hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Because of limited testing supplies, you are encouraged to make sure you have two of three symptoms before being tested:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath, and
- You have been in contact with someone who was a confirmed patient or suspected of having COVID-19, or
- You have traveled internationally or to an area with a known COVID-19 outbreak.
All City Offices
As a reminder, all city offices, facilities, playgrounds, recreation centers, and libraries are closed to the public through at least Sunday, March 29. All essential services remain available. The goal is to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). While city offices are closed, residents are encouraged to use online or telephone systems. Hampton is also installing dropboxes outside City Hall, 22 Lincoln St., where residents can submit applications, plans, and other documents. Public Works will continue to pick up trash and recycling as scheduled.
Economic Development
The Economic Development and Emergency Management offices want residents to know that the Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal loans for working capital to small businesses in Virginia suffering substantial economic injury because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The loans are available for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises, and private non-profits of any size. For more information and to download applications, visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Citizens Unity Commission
Working with the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank and the United Way, the City of Hampton is sponsoring “Fill That Bus, Hampton!” a community-wide drive to collect non-perishable food items, diapers, infant formula and cleaning supplies for Hampton residents in need during the coronavirus crisis. The city will partner with several support agencies to accept donations from 3-6 p. m. Monday-Friday, March 23-31, at three host sites. More information.
Human Services (Social Services)
Residents can contact Hampton’s Department of Human Services by calling the main number at 757-727-1800.
Treasurer’s Office
Residents can go online to pay taxes at https://hampton.virginiainteractive.org/Account/Login. While the Treasurer’s Office is closed to the public, Hampton is waiving the $1 fee for online transactions:
- To drop off payments, there is a box outside the Ruppert Sargent building at the corner of Franklin Street and Queens Way
- To mail payments, send to Hampton Treasurer, PO Box 638, Hampton, VA 23669
- To pay by phone with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover) call 877-277-6341. The phone system will require the customer to have an account number for personal property and an RPC number for real estate. If a customer needs an account number or their RPC number they can call 757-727-6374.
DMV Select and passport services at the Treasurer’s Office have been suspended. Visit www.hampton.gov/treasurer to learn more.
Commissioner of the Revenue
Excise and business license tax payments can now be processed:
- By phone at 757-727-6700 (credit card)
- Using the Treasurer’s Office drop box outside the Ruppert Sargent building at Franklin Street and Queens Way. (no cash payments)
- By mailing the payment to the Commissioner of the Revenue, PO Box 636, Hampton VA 23669
The deadline for February excise tax payments has been extended until March 25, 2020. Visit www.hampton.gov/revenue to learn more.
Community Development
Hampton’s online permit and inspection center lets you go online to apply for permits, request inspections, check the status of your inspection request and pay associated fees 24 hours a day from any computer or mobile device. The city is working on a plan that would allow residents to use a drop box outside of City Hall for the submission of other documents and applications.
Fire, Police
Both Fire and Police continue to respond to emergency and other calls 24 hours a day, although they are trying to maintain "social distancing" whenever possible. Some non-emergency calls may be delayed or handled differently to ensure the safety of the public and city personnel.
Parks and Recreation
While all Parks buildings are closed to the public – including community centers golf courses – city beaches and outside parks remain open and available to the public. Residents are reminded to practice “social distancing."
Courts
The State Supreme Court has closed all circuit and district courts – except for emergencies – through at least April 6.
Libraries
Although city libraries are closed, the ebook program is still available. More information.
Citizens Unity Commission
All city events scheduled through March have been canceled or postponed.
Questions about a city service not answered here? Call the department listing on hampton.gov or call 757-727-8311.