COVID-19 case rates are remaining stable, decreasing slightly across the nation, as well as locally.

According to the Three Rivers Health District’s weekly pandemic update, the U.S. is averaging about 107,500 new cases per day, Virginia is averaging about 2,791 cases, and the 10 counties of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck are averaging about 30 cases.

Middlesex, Lancaster and Northumberland counties are experiencing high COVID-19 community levels. Mathews is experiencing low community levels and every other jurisdiction in the Three Rivers Health District, including Gloucester, is experiencing medium community levels.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased in Virginia with an approximate total of 647 patients.

Variants

According to Three Rivers, the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants now account for about 70 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. In Virginia, the subvariants comprise 60 percent of cases.

“The BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are able to evade exi...