The number of COVID-19 cases in Gloucester rose slightly over an eight-day period from last Tuesday, at 26, to this Wednesday, at 28. Mathews saw the addition of one case, bringing the county’s total from four to five. Seven Gloucester residents and one Mathews resident have been hospitalized with the illness.

The Three Rivers Health District, which covers the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, saw an increase of 96 new cases, from 254 last Tuesday to 350 this Wednesday. Fifty-seven of the new cases occurred in Richmond County, largely accounted for by an increase in cases at Haynesville Correctional Center. Seven of those cases resulted in hospitalization. Both Richmond and Essex counties saw a jump in cases over the past week, with Richmond going from 30 last week to 42 this week, with six patients hospitalized, while Essex went from 18 cases last week to 29 cases this week, with three patients hospitalized.

Middlesex County added three cases over the week, from seven last Tu...