VA Coronavirus Deaths Jump By Nearly 140 Percent Since Sunday

VIRGINIA — The number of deaths resulting from the new coronavirus in Virginia rose to 121 Friday, up from 109 on Thursday. Cases of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 illness, increased from 4,042 to 4,509, according to the Virginia Department of Health's latest report. Virginia's positive cases include 772 hospitalizations, up from 685 on Thursday.

The number of reported deaths in Virginia has jumped by near 140 percent over the past five days, increasing from 51 reported on Sunday to 121 on Friday.

The state's highest number of deaths so far has occurred in central Virginia, with 44. In Virginia's northern region, where nearly half the positive cases of the coronavirus have been reported, there have been 40 reported deaths. The state's eastern region has reported 24 deaths, many of them in the Peninsula Health District.

The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association's reports that 521 people are receiving hospital care whose coronavirus test results are pending. Of the Virginia residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus or are waiting for their test results, 457 are hospitalized in intensive care units. Among this group, 287 are on ventilators.

Virginia hospitals still appear to be in good shape with their number of ventilators. In the state, 2,797 ventilators are on hand for use. Whether for people with COVID-19 symptoms or other respiratory issues, 686 of those ventilators, or 25 percent, are in use, according to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association.

As of Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Health has been notified of about 46 outbreaks, 20 of which occurred in long-term care facilities. Outbreaks are defined as at least two COVID-19 cases confirmed by laboratory testing.

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Officials on Thursday reported the deaths of six more residents at the Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Henrico County, the site of one of the worst outbreaks in the country with 39 dead.

In Northern Virginia, Arlington County has identified five outbreaks, the Fairfax Health District has three, Loudoun County and Alexandria each have two and Prince William County has one.

The Fairfax Health District continues to report the most coronavirus cases — 778. The next highest number of cases is 342 in Henrico County, 337 in Prince William County, 312 in Arlington County, 274 in Loudoun County and 224 in Virginia Beach. Including both the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, the Prince William Health District is reporting 373 cases.

In the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, Fauquier County has the most cases, at 23, followed by Culpeper and Orange counties, each with 14 cases.

SEE ALSO:

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• Coronavirus Deaths Increase By 34 In Virginia; 46 Outbreaks Found