County: Two deaths, 612 new cases in one week

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wise County increased by 612 between Jan. 19 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 8,099 — up from 7,487 one week earlier.
The number of Wise County COVID-19 deaths increased by two, from 154 to 156.

As of yesterday, 278 Wise Countians were hospitalized with COVID.
Locally and across Virginia, the omicron variant is on the rampage with new infections.

Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began rose from 1,015,886 Jan. 19 to 1,072,699 Wednesday, an increase of 56,813. The number of “probable” cases in Virginia rose from 403,997 Jan. 19 to 430,420 Wednesday, an increase of 26,423.
During the same period, the number of confirmed deaths increased by 187 to 13,405.

The number of probable COVID-19 deaths increased by 30 to 2,647.

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

VACCINATION

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

Almost 47 percent of residents are fully vaccinated.

About 17 percent have received a booster or third dose.

Former 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.