COVID-19 surge: Augusta Health hospitalizations increasing, with 3 deaths in last week

Monique Calello, Staunton News Leader
·4 min read

FISHERSVILLE — The COVID-19 level is now high in the Staunton–Augusta County–Waynesboro communities, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Augusta Health is affirming this surge in a Monday update with positive cases up to 35 daily, 12 patients now hospitalized and three deaths in the past week.

With the surge, masking is required within all Augusta Health facilities, and new visitation policy restrictions are also effective as of Monday. To learn more, visit augustahealth.com/patients-visitors/visitor-resources/visiting-information.

Augusta Health's Emergency Department in Fishersville, Virginia.
Augusta Health's Emergency Department in Fishersville, Virginia.

As the virus surges, remember to:

  • Wear a mask — people with symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test or exposure to someone with COVID should wear a mask to protect others. The CDC also recommends that people who do not have symptoms or test positive also wear masks to protect themselves and others.

  • Get a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms

  • Stay current on vaccinations

  • Wash your hands and socially distance

COVID-19 census at Augusta Health

  • After admissions as low as zero, census over the past two weeks has remained in the range of 10 to 15 patients per day.

  • Current inpatient COVID-19 census is 12, with three deaths over the past week.

  • In the last day, 20 new positive cases of COVID were diagnosed at Augusta Health testing sites.

  • There were 35 positive cases on Sunday’s report and 24 positive cases on Saturday’s report.

COVID-19 testing is available at any Augusta Health Urgent Care Center.

The testing centers and at the MABS (monoclonal antibody) infusion clinic are busy.

Augusta Health's testing positivity rate for the week of May 8-14 was 23.1%. For the week of May 1-7, the rate was 21.2%. For the month of April, the rate was 11.1%.

More: COVID-19 is rising fast in Central Shenandoah Health District, reports health director

Vaccination eligibility

Eligibility criteria for each type of vaccine, timing and vaccine appointments can be made at vaccinate.augustahealth.com. Remember to bring your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to the booster appointment.

Pediatric vaccination clinics – including those age 5 to 11 – are in planning stages and will be scheduled when resources become available, said Augusta Health.

If you have questions, call 540-332-5122.

Vaccinations in primary care offices

Vaccinations for COVID-19 continue in Augusta Medical Group primary care offices. Patients who prefer to receive a vaccination or booster from their personal physician should contact their doctor’s office to be scheduled into the next available vaccination appointment block.

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Community-based clinics

Augusta Health will provide a community-based clinic at Grottoes Church of the Brethren on Thursday, May 26 from 3:30 o 6:30 p.m.

Community organizations that would like to partner with Augusta Health for a vaccination clinic can contact VaccinationTaskForce@augustahealth.com for more information on the requirements.

Mass vaccination clinics

Mass vaccination clinics are now held at the Waynesboro Primary Care/Urgent Care at 201 Lew Dewitt Boulevard in Waynesboro.

Upcoming clinics are:

Tuesday, May 24:  Pfizer and Moderna Clinics from 9 a.m. to noon for those age 12 and older.

First dose, second dose and booster dose available to those age 12 and older. Only Pfizer vaccine is available for those age 12-17. Those 18 and older can receive any vaccine. A parent of guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of a child under the age of 18. Please verify criteria before registration

Wednesday, May 25:  Pfizer and Moderna Clinics from 3 to 6 p.m. for those age 12 and older.

Friday, Friday, May 27:  Pfizer and Moderna Clinics from 9 am to noon for those age 12 and older.

Wednesday, June 1:  Pfizer and Moderna Clinics from 3 to 5 p.m. for those age 12 and older.

Friday, June 3:  Pfizer and Moderna Clinics from 9 am to 12 noon for those age 12 and older.

First dose, second dose and booster dose available to those age 12 and older. Only Pfizer vaccine is available for those age 12-17. Those 18 and older can receive any vaccine. A parent of guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of a child under the age of 18. Please verify criteria before registration.

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— Monique Calello (she/her) is a health & social justice reporter with The News Leader in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Story ideas are always welcome. You can reach her at  mcalello@newsleader.com. 

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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: COVID surge: Augusta Health hospitalizations increasing, with 3 deaths