RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Here’s the latest from the Virginia Department of Health on the coronavirus for Sunday, December 6.
The state reported 3,880 new cases of the COVID-19 this morning — this is the largest daily increase of new reported cases since the pandemic began. The previous largest increase was recorded yesterday at 3,793 new cases of the coronavirus. The VDH did not say today’s increase was due to a backlog.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Virginia is now 255,053, and the number of deaths related to the virus has reached 4,200.

The state’s positivity rate also increased up to 10.6 percent. We can expect this trend to keep rising because of people getting tested before and after the holidays this month.
There have been a total of 1,605 COVID-19 outbreaks since the pandemic started leading to 35,436 associated cases.
Hospitalizations in Virginia are also on the rise. The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association is reporting that the total number of currently hospitalized patients with a confirmed positive result for COVID-19 is 1,490, and 29 percent of ventilators in hospitals are in use.
TESTING LOCATIONS NEAR YOU
- Mondays: Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Second Baptist Church, 5100 West Hundred Road
- Tuesdays: Dec. 8, 15, 22, 29 – 10 a.m. to noon. Walmsley United Methodist Church, 2950 Walmsley Blvd.
- Wednesdays: Dec. 9, 16, 30 – 10 a.m. to noon. St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 4400 Beulah Road
- Thursdays: Dec. 10, 17, 31 – 10 a.m. to noon. Walmsley United Methodist Church, 2950 Walmsley Blvd.
- Fridays: Dec. 4, 11, 18 – 10 a.m. to noon. Second Baptist Church, 5100 West Hundred Road
- Saturdays: Dec. 12 and 19 – 10 a.m. to noon. Chesterfield Health Department, Smith-Wagner Building Multi-Purpose Room, 9501 Lucy Corr Circle
OUTBREAKS AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES
Virginia Commonwealth University
As of Dec. 3, the university has reported:
- 30 active student cases and 8 active employee cases of COVID-19.
- 4 students in isolation on campus.
- 13 students are in quarantine on campus.
As of Dec. 2, here is what the university has reported:
- 101 total cases and 5 active case of COVID-19.
- The university said the monthly testing positivity rate for November is 1.2 percent.
The university’s dashboard as of Dec. 3, shows that:
- 9 total (students and employees) active cases.
- 1,666 people have recovered from the virus since July.
- Read about one JMU student’s experience with COVID-19 here.
LOCAL COVID-19 CASES

Henrico County reported its largest increase of new cases so far with 150. It was followed by Richmond which had 90 new cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, and Chesterfield County which reported 83.
Note: Charles City county reported one less case than yesterday.
- Charles City County: 149 cases, 7 deaths
- Chesterfield County: 9,957 cases, 135 deaths
- City of Colonial Heights: 456 cases, 26 deaths
- City of Hopewell: 655 cases, 9 deaths
- City of Richmond: 7,050 cases, 82 deaths
- Dinwiddie County: 705 cases, 14 deaths
- Goochland County: 479 cases, 7 deaths
- Hanover County: 2,671 cases, 56 deaths
- Henrico County: 8,988 cases, 260 deaths
- New Kent County: 424 cases, 4 death
- Powhatan County: 515 cases, 6 deaths

- Memorial Regional Medical Center reports uptick in ER patients, fewer COVID cases thanks to vaccinesWith more people getting vaccinated, doctors and nurses at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville are seeing more patients for things other than COVID-19 and fewer patients with the virus.
- Coronavirus update: Free COVID-19 testing event in Richmond next week; Cases up by 1,261 in VirginiaThe Virginia Department of Health reported 1,261 new cases, which includes those who tested positive and people with known exposure to COVID-19.
- One volunteer of the two-year study said he is getting the booster shot for the safety of his family and those around him.
- The Chickahominy Health District including New Kent, Charles City, Goochland and Hanover are adjusting the way in which it is distributing vaccines to get closer to reaching herd immunity.
- The pandemic's not over yet.
- In light of “unprecedented risks” posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Department of State has announced plans to update its current travel advisories to better reflect guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Texas A&M University researchers have identified a new COVID-19 variant that originated in the state.
- As of April 20, 25.4% of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated. Over three million people in the state have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose.
- As Virginia enters Phase 2 of the vaccination process, some health leaders say the demographic of who is being hospitalized with COVID-19 is shifting.
- Across the nation every American adult is now eligible for a coronavirus vaccine, and challenges exist ahead to reach herd immunity.