County: Five more deaths, 622 new cases in a week

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wise County increased by 622 between Jan. 26 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 8,721 — up from 8,099 one week earlier.
The number of Wise County COVID-19 deaths increased by five, from 156 to 161.

As of yesterday, 282 Wise Countians were hospitalized with COVID.
Locally and across Virginia, the omicron variant continues to spread.

Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began rose from 1,072,699 Jan. 26 to 1,111,496 Wednesday, an increase of 38,797. The number of “probable” cases in Virginia rose from 430,420 Jan. 26 to 446,887 Wednesday, an increase of 16,467.
During the same period, the number of confirmed deaths increased by 213 to 13,618. The number of probable COVID-19 deaths increased by 147 to 2,794.

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.

About 47 percent of residents have received a second dose.

About 18 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.