WHEREAS, the health and safety of all Virginians are vital to the advancement, prosperity, and well-being of the Commonwealth’s families and communities; and

 

WHEREAS, infection prevention efforts are strengthened through consistent adherence to recommended infection control practices across health care settings, while ensuring these practices are effective and accessible for diverse communities and care environments; and

 

WHEREAS, medical procedures and health care encounters may result in infectious complications, and with more than 3.8 million emergency department visits and 765,000 hospital admissions occurring annually in Virginia, preventing healthcare-associated infections is essential to protecting the health and safety of Virginians, reducing infection-related complications and health care costs, and improving health outcomes for patients and communities; and

 

WHEREAS, health care professionals and facilities across the Commonwealth, including acute care, long-term care, assisted living, ambulatory care, and in-home care providers, play a vital role in advancing infection prevention, protecting patients and communities, and promoting the quality and safety of health care through ongoing collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health; and

 

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia supports health care facilities and organizations in empowering Virginians to understand the impact and symptoms of infections and the preventive measures they can take to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize October 19–25, 2026, as INFECTION PREVENTION WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.