County: Four deaths, 180 more cases

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wise County increased by 180 between Dec. 22 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 6,521 — up from 6,341 one week earlier.
The number of Wise County COVID-19 deaths increased by four, from 141 to 145.

As of yesterday, 257 Wise Countians were hospitalized with COVID.
Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began rose from 755,951 Dec. 22 to 787,538 Wednesday, an increase of 31,587. The number of “probable” cases in Virginia rose from 278,156 Dec. 22 to 299,862 Wednesday, an increase of 21,706.
During the same period, the number of confirmed deaths increased by 205 to 12,986. The number of probable COVID-19 deaths increased by 112 to 2,555.

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.

Almost 46 percent of residents are fully vaccinated.

About 15 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 had received a second dose.

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.