As Gov. Ralph S. Northam and his wife, First Lady Pamela Northam, remain in isolation until early next week after testing positive on Sept. 24 for COVID-19, officials in seven different health districts in the state are working to connect with scores of people the couple may have had contact with in the days before their diagnoses.

Dr. Danny Avula, director of the Richmond Health District that is coordinating the contact tracing efforts in the Northams’ case, said late Tuesday that health officials are using the Northams’ documented schedules to create a list of potential people who may have been exposed, including during the couple’s separate public appearances at events in Fredericksburg, Hampton and Fairfax on Sept. 22.

The first couple are seeing up close how the state’s COVID- 19 response system is working. Gov. Northam, a physician, has cautioned Virginians repeatedly to take the coronavirus threat seriously. He typically adheres to social distancing precautions and wears a mask in public, a mandate that he issued statewide.

In a statement late last week, Gov. Northam said that his positive test result shows that the virus is “very real and very contagious.”

While Dr. Avula could not say Tuesday night how many people have been tested, found positive or gone into quarantine after contact with the Northams, he said that anyone who was within 6 feet of Gov. Northam or Mrs. Northam for more than 15 minutes in the 48 hours prior to their testing is advised to quarantine for 14 days.

Those who develop symptoms, or feel uncomfortable about their possible exposure, should get tested for the virus, he said.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people typically develop symptoms five days after being infected, but symptoms, such as fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and fatigue, can appear as early as two days and as late as 14 days after infection.

Currently, Gov. and Mrs. Northam are keeping an eye on their symptoms as they remain in a 10-day isolation that ends Sunday, Oct. 4, or Monday, Oct. 5, Dr. Avula said.

The first couple was alerted the evening of Sept. 23 that an Executive Mansion staff member working in the couple’s living quarters tested positive for COVID-19.

The Northams then were tested, with results received in 24 hours showing they were positive for the virus, Dr. Avula said. Gov. Northam is experiencing no symptoms, while Mrs. Northam has mild symptoms. Dr. Avula had no details on the condition of the staff member, or whether he or she had been hospitalized.

The Executive Mansion and a nearby state office building were closed last Friday morning for a deep cleaning.

Gov. Northam is performing his duties remotely from the Executive Mansion while remaining in contact with his cabinet and staff.

“Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you across Virginia and this country for the well wishes and prayers,” Gov. Northam said in a short video released on Monday. “We certainly appreciate that, and that’s making us feel better.”

In a news release after the announcement of the Northams’ diagnoses, Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax stated that he’ll work with Gov. Northam and the administration “to ensure Virginia’s sustained leadership at a critical time for our Commonwealth and country.”

The lieutenant governor has been in Richmond to preside over the state Senate during a special session of the General Assembly. His press secretary, Lauren Burke, said there are no current plans for Lt. Gov. Fairfax to take on any additional responsibilities in Gov. Northam’s stead.

Meanwhile, Dr. Avula said those in the Northams’ primary circle, including staff who work with and/or travel with Gov. and Mrs. Northam and others who are in close contact, have been tested.

Testing also was offered last weekend to anyone who works in the Patrick Henry Building, the executive office building that houses the governor’s working office and the offices of state cabinet secretaries and other officials. Dr. Avula said more than 60 people sought testing, all of which came back negative for the coronavirus.

He said the Northams also have alerted people of potential exposure anonymously through the new state COVIDWISE app.

“Despite the fact that there’s a lot of movement for this family than there are for most people, I would say the case investigation has gone much more smoothly,” Dr. Avula said. “We’re able to get a much better assessment of exposure than we usually are.”

Some parents in Fredericksburg, however, are concerned that Mrs. Northam was allowed to visit inside Kids’ Station, a preschool and day care center for children of Mary Washington Healthcare employees, on Sept. 22 as part of her “back-to-school” tour, just two days before her positive coronavirus test. While Mrs. Northam wore a mask during her visit, parents have been barred from entering the school since March to curb the possible spread of COVID-19.

Mrs. Northam later visited Downtown Greens, a community garden in Fredericksburg, with Fredericksburg Mayor Katherine Greenlaw and Delegate Joshua Cole. Both tested negative for COVID-19 following Mrs. Northam’s visit, but news report indicate that two staff members at Kids’ Station and a person who attended Mrs. Northam’s tour at the community garden have tested positive for the virus.

Dr. Avula said Tuesday night that the two preschool cases have no overlap with Mrs. Northam’s visit, although they are still being investigated.

Gov. Northam, meanwhile, took part in a groundbreaking ceremony in Hampton Sept. 22 alongside Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck. Mayor Tuck said that he and members of the Hampton City Council who attended plan to get tested for the virus.