With COVID-19 case rates rapidly falling, Gov. Glenn Youngkin is encouraging all Virginians to get vaccinated as part of his COVID-19 Action Plan.

Although the governor said he doesn’t believe in mandating the vaccine, “he believes it’s a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19,” a release stated.

“We know that the vaccine is the best protection against severe illness as a result of COVID-19,” said Youngkin. “After a heartbreaking pandemic, getting vaccinated can insure that there are better days ahead for Virginia.”

The governor’s action plan includes prioritizing resources toward vaccine education and outreach, including expanded efforts in “disproportionately unvaccinated communities,” hosting additional vaccine events, and increasing the number of mobile vaccine units that serve rural communities, said the release.

Cases, hospitalizations, deaths

Nationally, the new case rate has decreased dramatically, with fewer than 120,000 new cases per day over a seven-day ...