NoVA's 3 Largest Counties Lead State In New Coronavirus Cases

VIRGINIA — The surge in new coronavirus cases in Virginia is showing no signs of slowing down as December began with the state Department of Health reporting 2,228 new cases, well above the 1,893 new cases reported Monday. The seven-day average in Virginia now stands at 2,354 cases.

Among the different regions in the state, Northern Virginia led the way again Tuesday with 624 new cases (724.7 seven-day average). The region's new cases include 215 in Fairfax County, 183 in Loudoun County, 138 in Prince William County, 38 in Alexandria, 35 in Arlington County, 12 in Manassas, three in Falls Church and one in Manassas Park. Fairfax City had no new cases.

Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties had the top three new coronavirus counts in the state on Tuesday.

In other regions, new cases totaled 433 in the southwest region (517.3 seven-day average), 422 in the northwest region (420.3 seven-day average), 397 in the eastern region (379.1 seven-day average), and 352 in the central region (313.0 seven-day average).

The statewide positive average has climbed to 8.0, its highest rate since Aug. 31. Among the regions, the positive test average is highest in the southwest region at 11.1 percent, followed by 7.8 in the northern region, 7.7 percent in the eastern region, 7.6 in the southwest region and 6.3 percent in the central region.

On Monday, state epidemiologist Dr. Lilian Peake told state lawmakers that if federal regulators approve Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, Virginia could begin receiving limited doses as early as mid-December, according to the AP.

“We are working with CDC to pre-position the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine at health systems that have ultra-cold refrigeration,” Peake said.

Health care workers and long-term care facility residents and staff will be prioritized, she said.

Current hospitalizations across Virginia increased by 99, reaching a new statewide high of 1,757. The seven-day average of hospitalizations now stands at 1,624.4, another record for the state.

Northern Virginia accounted for 485 of these hospitalizations. The region's number increased recently but remains well below the peak of more than 800 patients for several days in late April and early May. Other regional COVID-19 patient totals are 371 in the southwest region, 319 in the eastern region, 303 in the central region, and 279 in the northwest region.

The 1,757 statewide patients include 173 on ventilators and 398 in the intensive care units, according to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. Ventilator use among all hospital patients in Virginia is at 28 percent, while ICU occupancy is at 74 percent. The 2019 average for ICU occupancy was 67 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.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Monday to Tuesday.

• Alexandria: 5,404 cases, 366 hospitalizations, 77 deaths; increase of 38 cases and two hospitalizations
• Arlington County: 6,334 cases, 589 hospitalizations, 157 deaths; increase of 35 cases
• Fairfax County: 31,287 cases, 2,559 hospitalizations, 624 deaths; increase of 215 cases, 30 hospitalizations and one death
• Fairfax City: 212 cases, 18 hospitalizations, nine deaths; one case removed
• Falls Church: 106 cases, 14 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of three cases
• Loudoun County: 10,232 cases, 561 hospitalizations, 144 deaths; increase of 183 cases, five hospitalizations and one death
• Manassas: 2,323 cases, 139 hospitalizations, 28 deaths; increase of 12 cases and one hospitalization
• Manassas Park: 727 cases, 61 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of one case
• Prince William County: 18,490 cases, 1,089 hospitalizations, 235 deaths; increase of 138 cases and six hospitalizations
• Fredericksburg: 708 cases, 57 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of five cases
• Spotsylvania County: 3,185 cases, 181 hospitalizations, 58 deaths; increase of 24 cases and one hospitalization
• Stafford County: 3,330 cases, 197 hospitalizations, 22 deaths; increase of 24 cases and one hospitalization

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