Coronavirus Surging In NoVA As Fairfax County Sees 324 New Cases

VIRGINIA — The Virginia Department of Health reported 2,348 new cases of the coronavirus across the state Saturday, with the seven-day average of daily cases now at 2,126.

Northern Virginia led the way with 666 new cases Saturday, raising the region's seven-day average to 588, the highest since it peaked at 685 at the end of May. Elsewhere in Virginia, 576 new cases were reported in the southwest region, 411 in the eastern region, 360 in the northwest region and 336 in the central region.

As of Saturday, there are 1,507 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, and the seven-day average is 1,438.3. The peak average had been 1,573.3 on May 12. Hospitalizations by region include 391 in the northern region, 358 in the southwest region, 296 in the central region, 232 in the eastern region, and 230 in the northwest region.

According to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, the 1,510 current COVID-19 patients include 135 on ventilators and 331 in the intensive care units. Ventilator use among all hospital patients is at 25 percent, and ICU occupancy is at 74 percent.

There are no hospitals reporting difficulty obtaining personal protective equipment or other medical supplies in the next 72 hours. The last time PPE difficulties were reported was Sept. 18.

The seven-day average of positive PCR tests is 7.1 percent as of Nov. 18. Averages by region as of Nov. 17 include 10.5 percent in the southwest region, 8.3 percent in the northern region, 5.8 percent in the eastern region, 5.6 percent in the northwest region, and 4.9 percent in the central region.

Gov. Ralph Northam's new restrictions aimed at preventing the pandemic from worsening in Virginia took effect statewide on Sunday, Nov. 15. This includes a 25-person limit on social gatherings both indoors and outdoors; a cutoff for alcohol sales, consumption and possession of alcohol after 10 p.m.; altered spectator limits at recreational sporting events, entertainment venues and racetracks; expansion of the mask mandate to cover residents ages 5 and up at indoor public places; and enforcement of guidelines that were previously considered best practices for essential businesses.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Friday to Saturday.

• Alexandria: 4,882 cases, 346 hospitalizations, 77 deaths; increase of 51 cases and one hospitalization
• Arlington County: 5,673 cases, 568 hospitalizations, 156 deaths; increase of 70 cases and two hospitalizations
• Fairfax County: 28,060 cases, 2,470 hospitalizations, 614 deaths; increase of 324 cases and eight hospitalizations
• Fairfax City: 197 cases, 17 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of four cases
• Falls Church: 88 cases, 14 hospitalizations, seven deaths; no changes
• Loudoun County: 9,216 cases, 535 hospitalizations, 139 deaths; increase of 67 cases and four hospitalizations
• Manassas: 2,197 cases, 135 hospitalizations, 28 deaths; increase of 14 cases
• Manassas Park: 692 cases, 60 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of three cases
• Prince William County: 16,724 cases, 1,070 hospitalizations, 232 deaths; increase of 129 cases, five hospitalizations and one death
• Fredericksburg: 649 cases, 56 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of six cases
• Spotsylvania County: 2,891 cases, 173 hospitalizations, 57 deaths; increase of 31 cases and one death
• Stafford County: 2,960 cases, 185 hospitalizations, 22 deaths; increase of 38 cases

SEE ALSO: First Vaccines In VA To Be For Health Care, Critical Workers