Shipping Containers for Sale in Richmond, VA

Doctors say new strain of highly contagious virus is hitting people harder, both young and old

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting a sharp increase in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases spreading through schools and daycares across Central Virginia.

Health officials say the average number of cases has roughly tripled so far this year.

“Just to give you some idea of the data, in past years, we may see between 45 to 60 outbreaks reported per year. This year, in 2025 since May, we’ve had over 165 outbreaks of disease reported,” said Dawn Saady, epidemiologist with the Virginia Department of Health.

Dr. Mark Flanzenbaum, founder and co-owner of KidMed Pediatric Urgent Care, said his staff has noticed a surge in cases across the group’s multiple locations.

“All of the staff here have noticed a significant increase. And around the country, they’re seeing it as well. And that’s felt to be because of a new strain. There’s something called the A6 strain that’s out there that seems to be spreading more rapidly,” Flanzenbaum said.

“It tends to be more of a summer and fall virus. It loves the warmth. And we’re having a warmer fall. It loves that. So the warmer weather is keeping it going,” Flanzenbaum added.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Coxsackievirus A6, one of the HFMD strains, is causing more severe symptoms as well.

The virus presents as sores around the mouth and throat, along with red bumps that turn into blisters on the hands and feet, and sometimes genitals. Patients may also develop a fever.

While the virus is not dangerous for most patients, Flanzenbaum said there are still risks, particularly for teens and parents.

The thought that it only affects children is a myth.

“It’s annoying. It’s uncomfortable. The flip side to it is there can be dangerous things that can occur in adults and teenagers,” he said. “It can cause encephalitis, meningitis, yeah, very infrequently, but it can.”

“In general, it’s miserable,” Flanzenbaum said. “Unfortunately, part of the problem is that there’s no antiviral treatment for it. There’s no vaccine for it.”

The virus spreads through respiratory droplets (sneezing and coughing), fluid from blisters and the stool of infected people.

Patients are contagious before symptoms appear, and symptoms can last for a week or more.

“The general feeling is that once those blisters dry up and they’re scabbed over, that’s not contagious anymore,” Flanzenbaum said.

“There’s this misinformation that the contagious period is only when they have fever, because we say that about a lot of other viruses, so parents keep their kids home until the fever is gone, send them back to school, and now they spread it to everybody,” Flanzenbaum added.

School divisions and health departments across Central Virginia are reporting cases.

“Reporting of outbreaks is required by regulatory code to the Virginia Department of Health,” Saady said. “Usually, we think of an outbreak as three or more cases that are linked, so three children in the same classroom, maybe within a time period of a week or two.”

Even without a fever, patients can spread the virus for days and weeks after symptoms appear.

Health officials emphasize proper hand washing and sanitizing common surfaces as key prevention measures.

“Don’t share drinks. Don’t have your kids face to face with you, good hand washing, surface washing,” Flanzenbaum said.

RICHMOND, Va. — There's a new way to explore Richmond: one man's passion project has transformed the River City into a nostalgic, spooky-season video game.

Joseph "Tripp" Cannella has launched Small Town RVA, an online game that renders Richmond in 32-bit, Game Boy–style graphics.

As a child, Cannella lost himself in games like Pokémon and dreamed of visiting those virtual places in real life.

"I always wanted to go to places like Palette Town and, you know, actually visit those locations," Cannella said. "I always wondered what it would be like if my own city had this Game Boy version of it."

After five years of work, that idea is now playable.

"It’s meant to be this tiny digital clone of the city in your pocket," he said. "I’m a big fan of the spooky side of Richmond — the haunted history, the folklore that’s buried right under our feet."

The game maps the city so players can wander digital versions of trails, rivers, roads and landmarks.

Cannella is still adding sites where players can interact with historic photos, such as the Monroe Park water fountain and the Church Hill tunnel.

"Small Town RVA is a local game that takes a map of the city and converts it into a little Game Boy-like world where players can wander around and actually see real sights; trails, rivers, roads and even James Monroe’s grave," he said.

Small Town RVA includes vanished landmarks like Pratt's Castle in Oregon Hill and nods to Richmond folklore, including the Richmond Vampire, which also appears in the game’s story mode.

In that mode, players begin at VCU’s Brandt Hall and make their way to some of the city's spookier sites.

"I just wanted to put something together for the city be able to get excited about for, especially for Halloween," Cannella said. "Richmond Vampire is definitely in the game. I mean, he's also connected to the Church Hill tunnel."

The game also offers a GPS feature similar to Pokémon GO so the in-game map can reflect a player's real-world location.

Players can add their own photos, chat with others, and see other players on screen, making the project a social as well as an exploratory experience.

"I think it's just a fun way to get people out there and get them to understand and know the city," Cannella said. "I want it to reflect the people within the city, their stories, their perspectives on Richmond. You can chat with other players, see them on screen, and explore together. It’s a social space as much as it is a game."

Feedback so far has been positive, and Cannella welcomes suggestions to keep the game growing, down to Richmond's little quirks, like chicken wings discarded on city sidewalks.

"Encounter those and there's still some good meat on them. So, maybe it gives you a little bit of a performance boost in the game," Cannella said.

He also hopes to collaborate with art students to create in-game characters and items, expanding the game's local, community-driven feel.

Players can experience this new way to discover Richmond by logging on to SmallTownRVA.com, getting transported to Brandt Hall and starting their exploration.

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Hayley Martin

Hayley Martin is Venture Richmond’s Marketing Assistant. Born and raised in Richmond and a graduate of the University of Virginia, she supports the marketing team through content creation, social media, and communications efforts. Her work helps share the stories, events, and initiatives that highlight the energy and creativity of downtown Richmond.

Brown’s Island is one of the most popular public park spaces in the city. Located on Downtown Richmond's riverfront along the James River, the island features access to the Canal Walk, Manchester, and more.

NOTICE: BROWN'S ISLAND WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION FROM NOVEMBER 2025 - OCTOBER 2026.

Explore Part of Richmond's History on Brown's Island

Brown’s Island, Richmond’s biggest little island, is six acres of riverfront park with views of the James River. This beautiful public park offers access to surrounding James River parks, outdoor concerts, walking and biking trails, educational monuments and sculptures, and plenty of urban green space for visitors, residents, and employees of Downtown Richmond.

Originally formed as part of the Haxall Canal in 1789, Brown’s Island is named after its first settler, Elijah Brown, who acquired the land in 1826. During the Civil War, it was home to the Confederate States Laboratory where women and children produced ammunition and other military supplies.

In 1894, the Richmond Union Passenger Railway formed a coal power plant on the island, and in 1899, Dominion Virginia Power operated a hydroelectric plant that ran off the Haxall Canal on the east side of the island, which necessitated the construction of the Brown’s Island Dam. Anchored into the James River are supports to the Chesapeake & Ohio Elevated Rail lines (now controlled by CSX) which are a favorite site for rail enthusiasts, visitors, and event attendees.​

In the late 20th century, the Albemarle Paper Company owned and operated a paper mill on the island, and in 1987, gifted the land to the City of Richmond, which developed Brown’s Island as a public park to both preserve and share the breathtaking river views for all of Richmond to enjoy.​

Today, Brown's Island is managed and maintained by Venture Richmond. In September 2019, Venture Richmond completed the planning phase of the Brown’s Island Improvement Plan, and it received conceptual approval from the City Planning Commission in December 2019. Since then, Venture Richmond has been working hand in hand with the City to design and fundraise for the project. More information about the Brown’s Island Improvement Project can be found on our website.

Downtown Richmond’s riverfront is rich with art and exhibits that allow visitors and residents to experience the James River and the Canal Walk’s treasured history and beauty.​

The April 1865 Exhibit

Some of the most dramatic events in Richmond’s history occurred during three days in April 1865 when the city fell to the Union Army after four years of civil war. As the Union Army marched down Broad Street, the Confederate Army evacuated, while enslaved Richmonders gained their freedom. These events are memorialized on a bridge overlooking the James River. Quotes, images, and views of the remains of Civil War-era bridges bring back the events of the war’s end. A series of markers is incorporated into the James River overlook on the northwest corner of Brown's Island. The exhibit can be reached from Tredegar Street near South 5th Street.​

The Mill Sculpture

“The Mill,” a sculpture by Richmond artist Brad Robinson, is located near the entrance to the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge toward the south side of Brown’s Island. Unveiled in 2012, it is intended to reflect the shimmering waters of the James River. It stands 16 feet tall and is made of brushed aluminum with bronze edging. The sculpture has a crescent-shaped bench around it, which creates a nice viewing spot.​

The Headman Statue

The Headman Statue on Brown’s Island depicts a 19th century boatman — also known as a headman — and commemorates the early contributions of African Americans to commerce in Richmond. Boatmen were essential to Richmond’s canal system, which provided faster transport of raw materials and finished goods around the falls of the James River. The statue is 14 feet high with a 23-foot “sweep,” or oar, and it was designed and created by Paul DiPasquale. The bronze version of the statue was unveiled in November 1993.​

Emancipation and Freedom Monument

The Virginia Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission dedicated and unveiled a new monument highlighting Virginia’s – and America’s – African American history on September 22, 2021, on Brown’s Island. The newly constructed Emancipation and Freedom Monument, was commissioned and designed by artist and sculptor, Thomas Jay Warren, of Oregon. It features two 12-foot bronze figures – a male and female holding an infant – representing those newly freed from slavery. A pedestal, which elevates the female figure, features images and contributions of ten Virginians whose efforts represent the sacrifices of those eager to gain freedom both before and after Emancipation: Richmonder Mary Elizabeth Bowser, William Harvey Carney, Gabriel, Dred Scott, Nat Turner, Rosa Dixon Bowser, John Mercer Langston, John Mitchell, Jr., Lucy Simms, and Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker.​

The island can be accessed from a variety of points.

For your convenience, there is FREE wi-fi and portable restrooms (seasonally). The park is open from dusk until dawn.

Brown's Island is located in the heart of downtown Richmond, making it an ideal location for some of Richmond’s favorite events. Venture Richmond hosts and manages seasonal events on the island and coordinates Brown’s Island Rentals for others seeking an event space in Richmond.​ Today, Brown’s Island has become synonymous with outdoor recreation, concerts, and some of Virginia's most popular festivals, including the Friday Cheers concert series, Dominion Energy Riverrock, and the Richmond Folk Festival. Brown’s Island has also been home to other cultural and community events like the Richmond Marathon, Cinco de Mayo, and Broadberry's Live LOUD concert series.​

​The Canal Walk has been a staple of Richmond for decades, entertaining visitors and residents alike. Located along downtown’s riverfront, the Canal Walk stretches 1.25 miles along the James River and Kanawha and Haxall Canals, and has access points at nearly every block between 5th and 17th Streets. ​The Canal Walk is used for walking and biking by visitors, residents and people enjoying a break from working downtown. Did you know that you can explore the canal by boat, too? Find out more about Riverfront Canal Cruises.

​There is so much to learn about Richmond’s history along the Canal Walk. On your walk you’ll see public art, statues and exhibits. ​Visit exceptional restaurants along the Canal Walk, like Southern Railway Taphouse, Casa del Barco and Bottom's Up Pizza.

How Can I Access the Canal Walk?

The Canal Walk in Richmond has access points at nearly every block between 5th and 17th Streets.​

There are handicapped-accessible entrances at 5th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 16th Streets.

The History of the Canal

Richmond, lying on the fall line of the James River, was destined for a history steeped in canal navigation. George Washington, a staunch proponent of canal transportation, appeared before the Virginia General Assembly in 1784 to support legislation to create a waterway to bypass the falls. By linking the James River with the Kanawha River in western Virginia, which in turn flowed into Ohio, he hoped to improve transportation and trade with the western region. In 1785, the state incorporated the James River Company, with Washington as the honorary president. The James River Company set to work constructing the first towpath canal system in North America. The first section of the canal system to be completed circumvented the seven-mile falls near Richmond.​

By 1800, the Great Basin was situated in the heart of the city. Partially located under the present-day James Center, the basin was a hub of activity surrounded by mills and warehouses. The Tidewater Connection was completed in 1822, and boats could enter the canal below the falls. Wooden locks and the Richmond Dock connected the lower James to the Great Basin via canal to the upper James. The locks, however, would soon decay and be replaced.​

In 1820, the James River Company signed their charter over to the state, which controlled the company until 1835, when the James River and Kanawha Company took over the canal effort.

Richmond's Canal: Then and Now

By 1840, canal construction was completed from Richmond to Lynchburg and by 1851 had reached what would be its final destination — Buchanan in Botetourt County. At this point, the canal system spanned 197 miles. Finally, 1854 brought improvements to the Tidewater Connection: five granite locks (the fourth and fifth still exist near the intersection of 12th and Byrd Streets) and turning basins between 9th and 14th Streets; the Richmond Docks, located between 14th and Pear Streets; and the Great Ship Lock near Dock and Pear Streets.​

These improvements ushered in the heyday of the James River and Kanawha Canal in Richmond. During the 1850s — and peaking in 1860 — canal traffic was at its busiest. As many as 195 boats regularly traversed the waters, bringing goods such as tobacco and wheat from western Virginia to market, and returning home with finished goods from the city.​

Passenger voyages made up a small percentage of boat traffic. Only six passenger boats — called packets — ran on a regular basis during this busy time. Packets could carry 30 to 40 people and took approximately 33 hours to reach Lynchburg via canal. From the packet office in the Great Basin, the boats were poled out to 7th Street where they were hitched up to a horse or mule. The animals pulled the boats along the towpath while a boatman steered from the rear. On nice days, passengers sat on the deck of the boat and enjoyed the leisurely journey.​

All this came to an end as flooding, Civil War damage and competition from the expanding railroads took a huge toll on the Richmond canals. By 1880, the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad was laying tracks along the towpath of the canal. Canal construction never reached the Kanawha River as George Washington envisioned.​

In the late 20th century, the canals were reconstructed as part of a broad vision for downtown Richmond’s riverfront. Design and construction phases lasted from 1991-1999, with the groundbreaking ceremony on October 5, 1995. June 4, 1999 was the grand opening ceremony for the Canal Walk and canal boat christening. Riverfront Canal Cruise public tours started the next day. This existing canal system was constructed in conjunction with the Department of Public Utilities Combined Sewer Overflow project. A pipe measuring 1.3 miles long and up to eight feet in diameter was installed in the bed of the Haxall and Kanawha canals from west of the Lee Bridge eastward to 16th Street. The pipeline collects wastewater and, when the city sewers are overwhelmed, routes it to a 50-million gallon Shockoe retention basin until it can be treated at the wastewater treatment plant.