COVID-19 transmission rate high in Middlesex

Dramatic increase in outbreaks in schools, long-term care facilities, businesses, churches, sports-rec clubs

(Editor’s note: As of Monday afternoon, the Virginia Department of Public Health reported 715 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Middlesex County, with 27 Middlesex patient COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 23 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.)

The current case rate in the US is about 137,000/day seven-day rolling average according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Virginia continues to increase in new case rates; currently we are more than 3,400/day seven-day average, new cases. 

Three Rivers Health District, which includes Middlesex County, also has increasing case rates; it had had 599 new cases last week.

The current seven-day average number of people hospitalized in Virginia with COVID-19 is 1,901.

Everyone 12 and older is now eligible for vaccination in Virginia. Please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA to find vaccination opportunities. 

Please call your local health department or call 804-815-4191 to schedule an appointment for testing.

The urgent threat of health misinformation continues. Health misinformation, including disinformation, has seriously impaired the U.S. response to COVID-19 and continues to prevent many Americans from getting vaccinated, which is prolonging the pandemic and putting lives at risk.

The CDC issued a health advisory warning on Aug. 26 to physicians and the public about use of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin in the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. The CDC also cautioned about the risk of severe illness caused by ivermectin, which has been seen in increased calls to poison control centers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin dispensing by retail pharmacies has increased, as has use of veterinary formulations available over the counter but not intended for human use. Ivermectin is not authorized or approved by the FDA for prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

If you have doubts or questions about COVID-19 vaccination, consult with your health care provider. The CDC, professional societies like the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians, universities and major health care organizations (Mayo Clinic for example) are good and reliable sources of information. Here are links to informative information about vaccine myths and facts:

American Academy of Family Physicians: https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/patient_care/public_health/COVID19-Vaccine-Myths.pdf.

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html.

American Association of Medical Colleges: https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/transcript-vaccinevoices-covid-19-vaccine-myths-debunked.

(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.)