COVID-19 cases have increased across the Three Rivers Health District, following a trend across Virginia and the rest of the U.S.

According to a release from district director Dr. Richard Williams, the 10 counties that comprise Three Rivers had a daily average of 45 cases per day during the past week, up from the 31 cases per day reported last week and 23 cases per day the week before that.

The Virginia Department of Health online dataset of cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities shows a steady increase in cases in Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex from Thursday, Dec. 1 to Tuesday, Jan. 10. From Dec. 1-8, Gloucester had 43 new cases, Mathews had five, and Middlesex had eight. During the crossover week, between Thursday, Dec. 29 and Thursday, Jan. 5, Gloucester had 90 new cases, Mathews had 22, and Middlesex had 26.

Altogether, from Dec. 1 to Jan. 10, Gloucester has had 349 new Covid cases, Mathews has had 76, and Middlesex has had 88.

The good news is that these case numb...