RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Here’s the latest from the Virginia Department of Health for Monday, November 23.
Virginia’s COVID-19 cases are up by 3,242 — the highest daily count ever reported since the pandemic started. The Virginia Department of Health later updated their website to say that the high case count is partially due to a catch-up on cases after the VDH data system was briefly down for upgrades over the weekend. The information about the backlog was not available when the site refreshed data at 9 a.m.
Despite the slight backlog, cases were still high through the weekend. There were 2,348 new cases on Saturday and 2,117 on Sunday.
The state is also close to 4,000 deaths.
The positivity rate for the commonwealth is now at 7.2 percent.

COVID-19 AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES
Virginia Commonwealth University
As of Nov. 20, the university has reported:
- 19 active student cases and 11 active employee cases of COVID-19.
- 7 students in isolation on campus.
- 21 students are in quarantine on campus.
As of Nov. 20, here is what the university has reported:
- 90 total cases and 22 active cases of COVID-19.
- The university said the monthly testing positivity rate for October is 1.2%
The university’s dashboard as of Nov. 20, shows that:
- 35 total (students and employees) active cases.
- 1,618 people have recovered from the virus since July.
- Read about one JMU student’s experience with COVID-19 here.
Please note: The next update to the JMU dashboard will occur on 11/30. The university is closed from 11/23 to 11/27.
BREAKDOWN OF LOCAL COVID-19 CASES
- Charles City County: 316 cases, 9 deaths
- Chesterfield County: 17,408 cases, 195 deaths
- City of Colonial Heights: 924 cases, 30 deaths
- City of Hopewell: 1,436 cases, 12 deaths
- City of Petersburg: 2,253 cases, 36 deaths
- City of Richmond: 11,778 cases, 119 deaths
- Dinwiddie County: 1,312 cases, 18 deaths
- Goochland County: 930 cases, 7 deaths
- Hanover County: 5,332 cases, 93 deaths
- Henrico County: 16,846 cases, 329 deaths
- New Kent County: 953 cases, 7 death
- Powhatan County: 1,184 cases, 7 deaths

- For some who survive COVID-19, beating the virus doesn't mean the end of the fight.
- 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.