RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Here’s the latest from the Virginia Department of Health on the coronavirus for Saturday, December 5.
The state reported 3,793 new cases of the COVID-19 this morning — this is the largest daily increase of new reported cases since the pandemic began. The VDH said this increase is due to a backlog.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Virginia is now 251,173.
The state’s positivity rate also increased up to 10 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 1,601 COVID-19 outbreaks since the pandemic started leading to 35,276 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 1,508.
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. 3, 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
- Friday: Dec. 4 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eastern Henrico Health Department on 1400 N Laburnum Ave.
- Saturdays: Dec. 5, 12, 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
Chesterfield County reported 142 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours — the highest daily increase the locality has seen since it began recording. Henrico County was close behind, reporting 128 new cases of the coronavirus.
- Charles City County: 150 cases, 7 deaths
- Chesterfield County: 9,874 cases, 135 deaths
- City of Colonial Heights: 451 cases, 26 deaths
- City of Hopewell: 651 cases, 9 deaths
- City of Richmond: 6,960 cases, 82 deaths
- Dinwiddie County: 699 cases, 14 deaths
- Goochland County: 476 cases, 7 deaths
- Hanover County: 2,622 cases, 56 deaths
- Henrico County: 8,838 cases, 260 deaths
- New Kent County: 422 cases, 4 death
- Powhatan County: 511 cases, 6 deaths
- Nearly a year to the day after the Chinese city of Wuhan went into lockdown to contain a virus that had already escaped, President Joe Biden began putting into effect a new war plan for fighting the outbreak in the U.S., Germany topped 50,000 deaths, and Britain closed in on 100,000.
- Some Richmond Public Schools employees will have to wait just a little bit longer for their COVID-19 vaccination. RPS released a statement on Friday saying the Virginia Department of Health is pushing back appointments due to a national vaccine shortage.
- A petition demanding vaccinations for Chesterfield teachers returning to county classrooms has nearly 4,000 signatures. It's the latest move inside the battle between some county parents and the school board.
- Virginia health officials are working to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine while managing high demand. The state received 300,000 requests in one week but only around a third of that supply is available.
- Mayor Levar Stoney and Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke about how the federal government can help localities fight the COVID-19 outbreak during the United States Conference of Mayors' 89th annual Winter Meeting on Friday.
- Between 150 and 200 National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C., to provide security for President Joe Biden's inauguration have tested positive for the coronavirus, a U.S. official said on Friday.
- A bill — still alive in the Virginia House of Delegates — would allow parents or guardians the right to reject a Covid-19 vaccine for their child — based on their religious beliefs.
- From answering 9-1-1 calls and health department hotlines, to passing out meals to families in need — Henrico's school nurses have adapted to whatever is needed while schools are in virtual learning.
- Dr. Danny Avula gave an update on Virginia's current vaccination efforts. Right now the state is distributing 105,000 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations each week, despite a much higher demand.
- Third stimulus check: GOP lawmaker wants $1,400 payment reserved for people who get COVID-19 vaccineOne lawmaker says he'll support $1,400 checks — but only for people who make the commitment and get the COVID-19 vaccine.
