Map of Virginia health districts. Courtesy of Virginia Department of Health.

Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.

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Southwest Virginia child dies from flu complications

A child in Southwest Virginia has died from complications of the flu, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The department provided no information other than to say the child was between 5 and 12 years old and somewhere in Southwest Virginia. A release did not specificy which health district.

This is the first reported influenza-associated pediatric death for the 2022-23 flu season.

The department recommends taking three actions to prevent the flu.

  1. Everyone 6 months and older should receive a yearly flu vaccine;
  2. Practice good preventive health with hand hygiene (washing your hands regularly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), respiratory etiquette (coughing and sneezing into a tissue or the inside of your elbow rather than your open hand), and staying home when you feel sick; and
  3. Take antivirals as prescribed by your physician if you do become sick with the flu.

“Virginia is experiencing early and very high flu activity during the current 2022-23 flu season compared to previous flu seasons,” accoriding to the department. “Emergency department (ED) and urgent care center (UCC) visits for influenza-like illness are also very high (8% of total ED & UCC visits) for this time of the season compared to the same time during the previous 12 seasons except for the 2009-10 pandemic year. Virginia reported one influenza-associated death among children during the 2021-2022 flu season.”

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Funeral arrangements for Rep. Donald McEachin announced

The office of the late Rep. Donald McEachin, D-Richmond, who died this week, announced that his funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 7th at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Baptist Church (4247 Creighton Road, Richmond, VA 23223). Additional information will be forthcoming at a future date.

Cards for the family can be mailed to:

Post Office Box 7020
Richmond, VA 23221

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, the institution where McEachin received his Master of Divinity in 2008.

To make a contribution by mail, use the following address:

The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology
Institutional Advancement, Attention: Deborah Alston
Virginia Union University
1500 N. Lombardy St.
Richmond, VA 23220

To make online donations, go to VUU.edu, then click on Donate. In the Designations box, click on SDP School of Theology Fund. Under Tribute Gift, Click the box indicating that this gift is in honor, memory, or support of someone. In the comments box write, “In memory of A. Donald McEachin.”

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Roanoke apartment complex sold for $10.6 million

Countryside Estates, a 108-unit apartment community in Roanoke, has been sold.

Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer’s Capital Markets Group announced that DSP Real Estate Capital, LLC acquired Countryside Estates on November 10 from 2316 Highland Farm, LLC for $10,630,000. DSP Real Estate’s purchase of Countryside Estates marks its sixth overall acquisition and fourth in Roanoke since 2020, Cushman & Wakefield said.