(Editor’s note: As of Monday afternoon, the Virginia Department of Public Health reported 466 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Middlesex County, up 26 from the previous week. There were 18 Middlesex patient COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 16 deaths involving Middlesex residents. The Virginia Department of Public Health cautions that because of limited testing, the actual number of cases in Middlesex County is likely much higher than reported.)
Three Rivers Health District
Case numbers across the U.S. have dropped. The new case count is about 95,000 /day seven-day rolling average. Most states report improving trends. Hospitalization and death rates are falling. Virginia has improved, our new case rate has dropped to 2,900/day seven-day average.
The Three Rivers Health District, which includes Middlesex County, has dropped to less than 50 new cases/day.
This may be due to better adherence to protective measures and some herd immunity effect. More than 100 million have had the disease, counting asymptomatic cases, and over 10% have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
We will watch closely for effect of the new, more contagious variants.
Expect vaccination delays
This vaccination program will take many months, we expect it may be many weeks before everyone currently eligible and signed up can get an appointment.
Three Rivers Health District is in phase 1b. For details of vaccination phases, please visit this website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/#phase1b.
Sign up for appointment
People eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in phase 1b seeking a vaccination appointment can contact their health care providers for initial consultation.
Any eligible people who cannot receive vaccination through their health care system, or anyone with a COVID-19 related question, should call 1-800-ASK VDH3.
Vaccine development
Janssen Biotech (Johnson and Johnson) has applied for FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its single dose COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA scheduled a meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) on Feb. 26, 2021 to discuss the request for emergency use authorization (EUA).
The COVID-19 virus continues to genetically drift. The United Kingdom, South African, and Brazilian variants are all in the United States now. They are more contagious and are expected to become the predominant strains in the future.
Vaccine effectiveness against these new strains is being evaluated. Proceeding with vaccination is recommended for all of us.
Testing, containment efforts
Community testing and testing in response to vulnerable facility outbreaks can be requested by facilities and jurisdictions by using commercial firms on contract with the Commonwealth of Virginia or the Virginia National Guard.
Our containment team has resumed investigation of all new cases with contact tracing of all high risk exposures.
Our Executive Order Compliance team continues with full capability and activity.
CDC publishes new school guidance
The CDC published comprehensive K-12 school guidance last week based on latest evidence on viral transmission in children and adolescents and on the experience base gained during school operations over the past year. The guidance leverages the protective measures we have had in place all year and is tied to levels of community transmission. The guidance stipulates universal and correct use of masks, maintaining at least 6 feet of physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory etiquette, cleaning and maintaining health facilities, and maintaining effective contact tracing in cooperation with local health departments. The detailed CDC school guidance can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html.
(Richard Williams is the director of Three Rivers Health District of the Virginia Department of Health. The district includes Middlesex County. Williams’ email address is richard.williams@vdh.virginia.gov.)
