COVID-19 cases rose sharply across the U.S. during the past week, with around 195,700 new cases recorded per day over a seven-day average.

According to the weekly update from Dr. Richard Williams, medical director of the Three Rivers Health Director, the Omicron variant is fueling the “unprecedented rise in cases.” Virginia cases increased sharply, as well, he said, with around 6,096 new cases per day over a seven-day average and 1,672 people are currently hospitalized statewide with the virus.

“This is well beyond the recent Delta peak, approaching the peak of the surge we experienced in January of 2021,” he said.

The Three Rivers Health District saw a rise, as well, recording 576 new cases during the period from last Wednesday to this Wednesday, for a total of 17,578 cases since the pandemic began. There were also 15 new hospitalizations in the district, for a total of 568 since February 2020, and four district residents died, bringing the total to 317.

Statewide, the nu...