Seven-Day Coronavirus Case Average Above 2,000 In Virginia

VIRGINIA — The coronavirus case average is on the rise as Virginia marked a fourth day with daily cases above 2,000. On Friday, new cases totaled 2,544, and the seven-day average of daily cases is 2,010.

The work week had started with a record 2,677 new cases on Monday, which the Virginia Department of Health said included backlog from the weekend. But that was followed by three other days with more than 2,000 cases and one day with cases close to 2,000 (1,954 on Thursday).

Data on cases by the start of symptoms reaffirms the recent increase in cases. The day with the highest cases by start of symptoms so far is Nov. 9 with 1,749 cases. There have been several days in November that surpassed the previous peak of 1,290 cases on May 18.

The southwest region reported its highest daily cases so far — 823, and the seven-day average is 528.7. Other regional totals include 627 in the northern region (540.1 seven-day average), 382 in the central region (284 seven-day average), 364 in the northwest region (324.1 seven-day average), and 348 in the eastern region (332.9 seven-day average).

There were 16 new deaths reported on Friday, and the seven-day average of daily deaths is 18.1. When looking at deaths by the date on death certificates, the seven-day average is around a third of the 40.1 peak average seen on May 5.

The average of current COVID-19 patients has been increasing statewide. As of Friday, there are 1,510 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, and the seven-day average is 1,410.4. The peak average had been 1,573.3 on May 12. Hospitalizations by region include 410 in the northern region, 352 in the southwest region, 293 in the central region, 234 in the northwest region, and 220 in the eastern region.

According to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, the 1,510 current COVID-19 patients include 133 on ventilators and 318 in the intensive care units. Ventilator use among all hospital patients is at 27 percent, and ICU occupancy is at 75 percent.

There are no hospitals reporting difficulty obtaining personal protective equipment or other medical supplies in the next 72 hours. The last time PPE difficulties were reported was Sept. 18.

The seven-day average of positive PCR tests is 7 percent as of Nov. 16, the same as the previous two days. Averages by region include 10.8 percent in the southwest region, 8.5 percent in the northern region, 6.1 percent in the eastern region, 5.6 percent in the northwest region, and 5 percent in the central region.

Gov. Ralph Northam's new restrictions aimed at preventing the pandemic from worsening in Virginia took effect statewide on Sunday, Nov. 15. This includes a 25-person limit on social gatherings both indoors and outdoors; a cutoff for alcohol sales, consumption and possession of alcohol after 10 p.m.; altered spectator limits at recreational sporting events, entertainment venues and racetracks; expansion of the mask mandate to cover residents ages 5 and up at indoor public places; and enforcement of guidelines that were previously considered best practices for essential businesses.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Tuesday to Wednesday.

• Alexandria: 4,831 cases, 345 hospitalizations, 77 deaths; increase of 34 cases
• Arlington County: 5,603 cases, 566 hospitalizations, 156 deaths; increase of 59 cases
• Fairfax County: 27,732 cases, 2,462 hospitalizations, 614 deaths; increase of 257 cases, 14 hospitalizations and two deaths
• Fairfax City: 193 cases, 17 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of two cases and one hospitalizations
• Falls Church: 88 cases, 14 hospitalizations, seven deaths; increase of two cases
• Loudoun County: 9,149 cases, 531 hospitalizations, 139 deaths; increase of 103 cases, two hospitalizations, and one death
• Manassas: 2,183 cases, 135 hospitalizations, 28 deaths; increase of three cases and one hospitalization
• Manassas Park: 689 cases, 60 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of one case
• Prince William County: 16,595 cases, 1,065 hospitalizations, 231 deaths; increase of 156 cases and two hospitalizations
• Fredericksburg: 643 cases, 56 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of two cases and one hospitalization
• Spotsylvania County: 2,860 cases, 173 hospitalizations, 56 deaths; increase of 35 cases and two hospitalizations
• Stafford County: 2,922 cases, 185 hospitalizations, 22 deaths; increase of 31 cases and three hospitalizations

SEE ALSO: First Vaccines In VA To Be For Health Care, Critical Workers