County sees 180 new cases, six deaths in a week

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wise County increased by 180 between Sept. 29 and Wednesday.

The Virginia Department of Health reported Wednesday morning that the county’s total confirmed cases in the months since the pandemic began had risen to 4,811 — up from 4,631 one week earlier.
The number of Wise County COVID-19 deaths increased by six, from 118 to 124.

As of yesterday, 220 Wise Countians were hospitalized with COVID.
Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began rose from 646,563 Sept. 29 to 659,002 Wednesday, an increase of 12,439 in one week. The number of “probable” cases in Virginia rose from 217,081 Sept. 29 to 223,435 Wednesday, an increase of 6,354.
During the same period, the number of confirmed deaths increased by 241 to 10,958. The number of probable COVID-19 deaths increased by 62 to 2,041.

To look at the health department’s data, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov and go to the COVID-19 Data section.

VACCINATION

About 49 percent of Wise County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the health department.

However, slightly more than 40 percent of residents are fully vaccinated.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Aug. 12 that 73 percent of Virginians 18 and older had received at least one dose.

Meanwhile, the delta variant of the virus continues to fuel a rapidly-growing resurgence in cases across Virginia and the nation. The overwhelming majority of new cases are affecting people who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.

Guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifies that those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.