COVID-19 cases decreased slightly across the U.S. during the past week, with about 117,500 known cases recorded per day. There was also a decrease of cases in Virginia, according to the weekly update from Dr. Richard Williams, medical director of the Three Rivers Health District, with around 2,800 cases per day statewide.
In the Three Rivers District, cases were down, as well, with around 33 cases per day recorded. By criteria established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the community level of Covid ran the gamut in the local area, with Mathews at low level, Gloucester at medium level, and Middlesex at high level. Other localities in the district were either medium or high.
Those who live in areas with high levels of the virus are advised to wear a mask in public indoor spaces, including public transportation, stay up to date with vaccines, and get tested if they have symptoms, said Williams, adding that those at high risk should consider taking additional precautions.
Hospitalizations of people with Covid increased across the state during the week, with around 793 Covid patients in the hospital per day on average.
Omicron BA.5 and BA.4 remained the dominant strains of Covid across the U.S. during the week, said Williams, with an increase in other subvariants. He said there were no major changes to CDC guidance or other new developments during the week.
Vaccinations and testing
The Mathews Health Department will have a Covid vaccination clinic by appointment for ages 6 months to five years on Monday. Call 804-725-7131 to schedule an appointment.
On Tuesday, Mathews will hold a clinic from 10 a.m. to noon offering the Moderna vaccine for ages 12 and older and the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 and older.
On Wednesday, Aug. 17, the Middlesex Health Department will have a Pfizer vaccination clinic for ages 6 months and older and a Moderna clinic for ages 12 and older from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Middlesex will also offer testing on Wednesday, by appointment only, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Call 804-815-4191 to make an appointment.
Cases, hospitalizations, deaths
Gloucester County had 83 COVID-19 cases recorded during the past week, for a total of 8,260 cases since the pandemic began and there was one new hospitalization in the county, for a total of 118.
In Mathews, 12 new cases were recorded during the week, bringing the total to 1,690, but no new hospitalizations, leaving that total at 41.
Middlesex recorded 18 new cases, for a total of 2,129, and one new hospitalization, for a total of 56 since March 2020.
There were no new deaths in the three counties, leaving the totals at 107 in Gloucester, 27 in Mathews, and 48 in Middlesex.
Since the pandemic began over two years ago, there have been 30,743 COVID-19 cases, 768 hospitalizations, and 431 deaths recorded in the Three Rivers Health District. Statewide, those numbers are 1,987,738 cases, 54,437 hospitalizations, and 21,102 deaths from the virus.
Monkeypox
Dr. Williams reported that there have been 145 cases of Monkeypox in Virginia since the outbreak was first reported in the U.S., with 19 of those cases in the Eastern Region. However, he said that there have been no cases reported in the Three Rivers Health District.
Additional information about Monkeypox is available at www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/monkeypox/monkeypox-in-virginia.