In a press release on Wednesday, Governor Ralph Northam and State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA directed all hospitals to stop performing elective surgeries and procedures to help conserve supplies.

The public health emergency order only applies to procedures that can be delayed without causing harm to a patient. Hospitals and other medical clinics and offices may conduct procedures if a delay would result in the patient’s condition worsening. The order also exempts outpatient visits in hospital-based clinics, family planning services, or emergency needs.

“Hospitals and medical facilities in Virginia and around the country are in desperate need of additional masks, gowns, gloves, and other personal protective equipment,” said Northam, adding that this equipment needs to be diverted to medical staff who are combating the spread of COVID-19.

Virginia received its first shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the national stockpile earlier this week, and the commonwealth has made its second request. Northam is continuing his call for a nationally-led response in acquiring and distributing PPE to ensure that states are not competing against each other, the federal government, and other countries for the equipment.

Many hospitals in Virginia had already postponed elective surgeries after Northam’s suggestion to do so earlier this week.