Three deaths, 141 new cases

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wise County increased by 141 between Dec. 15 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 6,341 — up from 6,200 one week earlier.
The number of Wise County COVID-19 deaths increased by three, from 138 to 141.

As of yesterday, 256 Wise Countians were hospitalized with COVID.
Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began rose from 738,649 Dec. 15 to 755,951 Wednesday, an increase of 17,302. The number of “probable” cases in Virginia rose from 267,596 Dec. 15 to 278,156 Wednesday, an increase of 10,560.

During the same period, the number of confirmed deaths increased by 176 to 12,781.

The number of probable COVID-19 deaths increased by 23 to 2,443.

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

VACCINATION

About 53 percent of Wise County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the health department.

About 45 percent of residents are fully vaccinated.

About 14 percent have received a booster or third dose.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Nov. 12 that more than 83 percent of Virginia adults had received at least one dose, while 75 percent of adults are 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.