Middlesex now experiencing high COVID-19 levels

CDC: Wear a mask indoors in public in high case areas (like Middlesex)

Middlesex County last week jumped into the high level for COVID-19 cases, based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria. It joins all the other counties in the Three Rivers Health District, which also are experiencing high COVID-19 levels. The other counties are King and Queen, Essex, Mathews, Lancaster, King William, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland counties. One Three Rivers exception is Gloucester County, which is experiencing medium COVID-19 case levels. Three Rivers is averaging 45 cases of COVID-19 per day.

COVID-19 cases are also increasing across Virginia and the nation. Virginia COVID-19 cases seven-day average is 2,428 cases/day. The seven-day average number of people hospitalized in Virginia with COVID-19 has increased to 1,103. Nationwide, there is an average of 67,000 known COVID-19 cases/day.

What’s new/important

Omicron COVID-19 subvariants continue to be the cause of the current surge across the United States. All omicron subvariants have mutations in their spike proteins which allow them to evade immunity, including monoclonal antibody therapies. None of them have thus far proven to cause more severe disease. Antiviral therapies such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio remain effective. The best way to protect yourself against the evolving COVID-19 virus remains vaccination.

CDC recommended actions at high COVID-19 community levels:

• Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.
• If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.
• Visit http://vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA to find COVID-19 vaccination opportunities near you.