After Record-Setting Sunday, Virginia Sees 7,245 New COVID Cases

Jeff Arnold
·3 min read

VIRGINIA — Just a day after Virginia state health officials reported a new single-day record for new confirmed coronavirus cases, the pandemic continues to hit the region at a fast and furious pace with more than 7,200 positive cases on Monday.

Monday’s report of 7,245 new cases comes 24 hours after Virginia experienced a record-high 9,914 daily case count. That comes after a previous record of 6,757 cases was reported on Saturday. The seven-day average of daily cases is 5,778.

The increase on Sunday driven was driven a large spike in Fairfax County and Prince William County. Fairfax County reported 1,485 new cases, compared to a seven-day average of 697 daily cases. Prince William County had 1,356 new cases amid a seven-day average of 444.

While cases on Monday were significantly lower than Sunday’s record-setting pace, including in Northern and Central Virginia where cases surged, the levels remain at concerning for state health officials. The more than 7,200 cases was significantly higher than the state's rolling seven-day average, which has soared due to increased cases in recent days, including Sunday's spike.

Current COVID-19 hospitalizations stand at 3,151 statewide, according to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. This includes 584 in the intensive care units and 354 on ventilators.

Statewide, the seven-day average of positive PCR tests is 14 percent as of Monday. In the early days of 2021, the average climbed above 17 percent. While the positive average had been below 10 percent for the summer into the fall, significant increases started in late November. The seven-day average of daily testing encounters is 31,408 as of Jan. 15.

On the vaccination front, 290,558 people have had at least one dose and 34,407 are fully vaccinated in Virginia. To date, 943,400 doses have been distributed in Virginia. Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines require two doses, with the second dose taken three to four weeks after the first.

Last week, Gov. Ralph Northam said Virginia would expand Phase 1b of its coronavirus vaccination program so all residents age 65 and older and those between ages 16 and 64 with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, heart conditions and obesity — would be moved into Phase 1b. Residents should check with their local health department on registering to be notified when vaccination appointments become available.

Many local health departments, including Loudoun County, have reported receiving thousands of more requests for vaccinations than doses are currently available.

Northam tweeted Sunday that Virginia and other states are seeing an "alarming rise" in cases and hospitalizations. He said until the vaccine becomes widely available, Virginians should "must continue to treat this virus like the dangerous threat that it is." The governor continues to urge the following guidelines: wearing a mask, washing hands, avoiding large gatherings, practicing physical distancing and staying home when possible.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Sunday to Monday where the biggest jumps again took place in Fairfax and Prince William counties.

  • Alexandria: 8,745 cases, 467 hospitalizations, 95 deaths; increase of 133 cases and 1 hospitalization.

  • Arlington County: 10,790 cases, 708 hospitalizations, 188 deaths; increase of 113 cases.

  • Fairfax County: 54,605 cases, 3,145 hospitalizations, 732 deaths; increase of 629 cases and six hospitalizations.

  • Fairfax City: 374 cases, 25 hospitalizations, 10 deaths; increase of five cases

  • Falls Church: 246 cases, 18 hospitalizations, six deaths; increase of four cases

  • Loudoun County: 17,014 cases, 688 hospitalizations, 168 deaths; increase of 377 cases and one hospitalization.

  • Manassas: 3,431 cases, 149 hospitalizations, 29 deaths; increase of 42 cases

  • Manassas Park: 1,038 cases, 66 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of 14 cases

  • Prince William County: 31,927 cases, 1,278 hospitalizations, 276 deaths; increase of 548 cases and one hospitalization

  • Fredericksburg: 1,285 cases, 69 hospitalizations, 13 deaths; increase of 20 cases

  • Spotsylvania County: 6,142 cases, 230 hospitalizations, 74 deaths; increase of 117 cases

  • Stafford County: 6,636 cases, 252 hospitalizations, 34 deaths; increase of 123 cases

This article originally appeared on the Fredericksburg Patch