Measles watch, GI illness uptick, and ACA coverage deadlines in focus for Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA – March 2, 2026 – Measles is rising statewide, GI illness activity is up, and some residents faced a March 1 ACA coverage deadline.
Virginia Beach residents are heading into early March with a familiar winter mix of public health concerns: a statewide rise in measles cases, higher gastrointestinal illness activity, and shifting health insurance deadlines for some Marketplace shoppers.
Measles: Virginia cases up, Hampton Roads still without confirmed cases in 2026
Virginia has confirmed 10 measles cases in the first two months of 2026, according to reporting that cited the Virginia Department of Health. Hampton Roads has not had a confirmed case so far this year, and state epidemiology officials told WHRO the recent increase does not yet point to significant local transmission.
The WHRO report also noted that statewide measles vaccination coverage can mask pockets where protection is lower. It cited kindergarten measles vaccine coverage in Virginia Beach at roughly 89% and in Chesapeake at about 85%.
GI illness and respiratory activity: statewide situation update flags upward trends
In its Feb. 27 weekly situation update, the Virginia Department of Health said respiratory disease activity increased in Virginia last week, driven by increased flu activity among 5- to 17-year-olds. The update also said gastrointestinal illness activity is trending up and is above threshold statewide and across all Virginia regions.
Norovirus-like outbreaks reported in the Eastern region
A separate VDH-related report carried by Yahoo News (from WAVY) said the department logged 13 norovirus-like outbreaks across Virginia and that gastrointestinal-illness visits to emergency departments were above the 10.5% threshold for the week of Feb. 15 to Feb. 21. The same report said the Eastern region saw 12% of ED and urgent care visits tied to GI illnesses during that timeframe, along with two norovirus-like outbreaks.
Health insurance: special enrollment tied to insurer exits ended March 1
On the coverage side, a Virginia Mercury brief said some Virginians who lost Affordable Care Act Marketplace coverage because insurers left the market were eligible for a special enrollment period that ran through March 1. The brief noted that people who selected new coverage before March 1 could have it take effect March 1, while sign-ups completed on March 1 could take effect April 1.
Virginia's Insurance Marketplace continues to direct residents who missed open enrollment to see whether they qualify for a special enrollment period based on their circumstances.
Sources
https://www.whro.org/health/2026-02-27/measles-is-on-the-rise-in-virginia-but-hampton-roads-remains-case-free-so-far-this-year
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-preparedness/2026/02/27/vdh-oep-weekly-situation-update-138/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/vdh-norovirus-outbreaks-end-february-115754543.html
https://virginiamercury.com/briefs/if-your-insurer-left-the-aca-market-a-special-enrollment-period-for-new-insurance-ends-march-1/
https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/plan-year-2026-updates
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
