Virginia Coronavirus Infections Estimated With Antibody Study

VIRGINIA — The Virginia Department of Health estimated the state's coronavirus infections among through an antibody study conducted over the summer. The results, announced late last week, found an estimated 2.4% of adult Virginians have antibody test evidence of a prior COVID-19 infection.

VDH partnered with a health system in each of Virginia's five health planning regions to estimate the total number of people infected with the virus. From June 1 to Aug. 14, 4,675 adult participants seeking health care not related to COVID-19 agreed to complete a questionnaire and provide a blood sample for COVID-19 antibody testing. Enrollment was arranged to represent the age, race, and ethnic population distribution of each region. The participating health systems were Inova Health System in the northern region, Virginia Commonwealth University in the central region, Sentara Healthcare in the eastern region, Carilion Clinic in the southwest region, and University of Virginia in the northwest region.

The study found having Hispanic ethnicity, living apartment building or other multi-family housing unit, and having contact with a COVID-19 case significantly increased the risk of having a positive antibody test. When broken down by race and ethnicity, the presence of COVID-19 antibodies was highest among Hispanic individuals with 10.2 percent. The region with the highest presence of antibodies was the northern region with 4.4 percent.

"The results are in line with the preliminary findings we reported in August that suggested a relatively low rate of COVID-19 exposure overall among Virginia adults,” said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver. "Virginians are avoiding infections by following recommendations on wearing masks, social distancing and handwashing."

Preliminary information on the antibody study was released in August at the same time a pediatric study was announced. The study will help inform health officials on risk factors and helping health systems plan for future health needs.

On Sunday, VDH reported 856 new coronavirus cases, bringing the cumulative total to 140,511 cases. The new cases include 222 in the northern region, 180 in the southwest region, 166 in the northwest region, 147 in the central region, 141 in the eastern region. There are 3,015 total deaths and 10,591 hospitalizations among the COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are at 939 statewide, which includes 252 in the central region, 247 in the eastern region, 204 in the northern region, 149 in the southwest region, and 87 in the northwest region. According to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association there are 126 COVID-19 patients on ventilators and 263 in the intensive care units statewide. Ventilator use among all hospital patients is at 19 percent, and intensive care unit occupancy is at 71 percent. No hospitals are reporting difficulty obtaining personal protective equipment in the next 72 hours.

As of Sunday, 1,882,028 PCR tests have been completed in Virginia, up 15,362 from Saturday. The seven-day average of positive tests is 5.9 percent as of Sept. 16. The average is below 6 percent for the first time since June 26. Positive average by region are 7.1 percent in the southwest region, 6.2 percent in the northern region, 5.9 percent in the central region, 5.7 percent in the northwest region, and 5.6 percent in the eastern region.

Here are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area between Saturday and Sunday:

• Alexandria: 3,696 cases, 312 hospitalizations, 68 deaths; increase of 12 cases and two hospitalizations
• Arlington County: 3,840 cases, 492 hospitalizations, 146 deaths; increase of five cases and one hospitalization
• Fairfax County: 20,259 cases, 2,126 hospitalizations, 581 deaths; increase of 104 cases, one hospitalization and two deaths
• Fairfax City: 134 cases, 13 hospitalizations, seven deaths; no changes
• Falls Church: 68 cases, 12 hospitalizations, six deaths; no changes
• Loudoun County: 6,656 cases, 426 hospitalizations, 123 deaths; increase of 23 cases
• Manassas: 1,889 cases, 128 hospitalizations, 25 deaths; increase of 12 cases
• Manassas Park: 605 cases, 54 hospitalizations, seven deaths; no changes
• Prince William County: 12,093 cases, 898 hospitalizations, 199 deaths; increase of 66 cases and two hospitalizations
• Fredericksburg: 527 cases, 49 hospitalizations, five deaths; increase of two cases
• Spotsylvania County: 2,082 cases, 131 hospitalizations, 43 deaths; increase of six cases
• Stafford County: 1,941 cases, 154 hospitalizations, 14 deaths; increase of seven cases and one hospitalization

SEE ALSO:

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• NoVA Leaders Encourage Flu Shots Amid Pandemic, Flu Double Threat
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• Virginia Health Commissioner Plans To Mandate Coronavirus Vaccine