Daily Coronavirus Case Average Above 3,000 In Virginia

VIRGINIA — As Virginia awaits word on FDA approval of coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, the seven-day case average continues to climb.

The seven-day average of daily cases went above 3,000 for the first time on Monday, according to Virginia Department of Health data. As of Tuesday, the average is 3,238 cases. There were 3,860 new cases reported on Tuesday.

This includes 1,330 cases in the northern region (725 in Fairfax County alone), 1,012 in the southwest region, 555 in the eastern region, 542 in the central region, and 421 in the northwest region.

The positive average of tests is 10.9 percent as of Dec. 4, up from 8.4 percent a week prior on Nov. 27. Regional averages include 14.8 percent in the southwest region, 11.8 percent in the northern region, 10.1 percent in the eastern region, 9.7 percent in the northwest region, and 8.5 percent in the central region. The state is averaging 23,722 daily testing encounters, compared to 25,309 a week prior on Nov. 27.

Current COVID-19 hospitalizations stand at 1,918 across Virginia, and the seven-day average is 1884.4. Over the last week, the average reached a new high after a previous peak of 1,573.3 patients on May 12. Northern Virginia has 512 current patients, and the seven-day average of 506.4 patients is still lower than the regional peak of 774.3 on May 11.

Meanwhile, the southwest region is seeing more hospitalizations than it did in the earlier months of the pandemic. As of Tuesday, the region has 392 current patients and a seven-day average of 383.1. Other current totals for regions include 386 patients in the eastern region, 327 in the northwest region, and 301 in the central region.

Virginia's 1,918 current hospitalizations include 196 on ventilators and 435 in the intensive care units, according to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. Ventilator use among all hospital patients is at 30 percent capacity, and ICU occupancy is at 76 percent. The average ICU occupancy in 2019 was 67 percent. No hospitals have reported difficulty obtaining personal protective equipment since Sept. 18.

There were 52 new deaths reported on Tuesday, and the seven-day average of daily death reports is 24. Cumulative totals stand at 262,730 cases, 15,467 hospitalizations, and 4,260 deaths.

Virginia health officials are preparing to receive an estimated 480,000 doses of vaccine from two manufacturers — Pfizer and Moderna — by the end of December. The larger number of doses will ensure that nearly all of the 480,000 individuals in Virginia's two top-priority groups — health care personnel and long-term care facility residents — will be taken care of in the first round of vaccinations. The Virginia Department of Health estimates there are up to 500,000 individuals in these two groups.

Moderna and Pfizer's vaccines, which are in the process of seeking emergency use authorizations from the FDA, will require two doses. Other vaccine candidates could also be on the way, including one being manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, that require only a single dose.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Monday to Tuesday:

• Alexandria: 5,874 cases, 384 hospitalizations, 81 deaths; increase of 84 cases and one hospitalization, one death removed
• Arlington County: 6,944 cases, 603 hospitalizations, 161 deaths; increase of 40 cases, six hospitalizations and three deaths
• Fairfax County: 34,487 cases, 2,646 hospitalizations, 628 deaths; increase of 725 cases, 13 hospitalizations and two deaths
• Fairfax City: 226 cases, 18 hospitalizations, nine deaths; increase of two cases
• Falls Church: 123 cases, 15 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of one case
• Loudoun County: 11,005 cases, 571 hospitalizations, 151 deaths; increase of 173 cases, one hospitalization and one death
• Manassas: 2,418 cases, 142 hospitalizations, 28 deaths; increase of 27 cases
• Manassas Park: 768 cases, 62 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of 10 cases
• Prince William County: 19,766 cases, 1,119 hospitalizations, 236 deaths; increase of 268 cases, four hospitalizations and one death
• Fredericksburg: 784 cases, 57 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of seven cases
• Spotsylvania County: 3,529 cases, 184 hospitalizations, 58 deaths; increase of 57 cases and one hospitalization
• Stafford County: 3,750 cases, 205 hospitalizations, 22 deaths; increase of 26 cases and two hospitalizations

SEE ALSO:

• Most Will Get Coronavirus Vaccine But Questions Raised: VA Survey
• More Coronavirus Vaccines Coming For VA's Top-Priority Groups