After a sharp rise in local COVID-19 cases last week, the ongoing increase slowed down this week, with 24 new cases in Gloucester, for a total of 337, and five new cases in Mathews, totaling 127 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

Hospitalizations increased slightly, with both counties adding two, for 17 in Gloucester and 10 in Mathews. There have been no new deaths, with Gloucester remaining at three and Mathews at zero.

COVID-19 cases in Middlesex increased to a total of 150, with hospitalizations at eight and deaths at 11, the most in the Three Rivers Health District.

Dr. Richard Williams, Director of the Three Rivers Health District, said that community spread of the virus is still the main problem. Although masking continues to be a controversial topic for some, he said, scientific evidence points to its effectiveness.

The Virginia Department of Health’s Central Office personnel reviewed the world’s published literature last week to look at evidence concerning ...