Virginia makes COVID-19 progress

Infections and deaths are down, and vaccination rates continue to improve

Parents with young children will welcome this week’s news that an advisory committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted to recommend the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine in kids aged 5-11.

That’s another important sign of progress in the fight against the virus. It’s a firm reminder that the best defense against the coronavirus — and the way out of the pandemic — is through the vaccines which are widely available.

As Virginia pivots toward winter, a time largely spent indoors and which features holiday gatherings with friends and family, the trends are cause for cautious optimism. Infections and deaths are down, vaccinations are up.

Recall that a year ago, the commonwealth was braced for the worst. New cases, hospitalizations and deaths were all sharply increasing — and would get much, much worse. The first vaccine dose was administered in December, and it would take several more months before they were available in sufficient supply.

It is heartbreaking that so many Virginians died in the months since. The state Department of Health reports that the commonwealth is perilously close to recording 14,000 deaths during the pandemic, each a staggering loss to their loved ones. There have been more than 919,000 confirmed cases since the pandemic began.

Today, however, the numbers look favorable heading into the colder months. Nearly 70% of Virginians have had at least one vaccine dose and, according to the VDH dashboard, that number jumps to 82.5% of adults (age 18 and older).

Higher vaccination rates make for safer communities. They mean fewer restrictions are needed and, indeed, there are localities and school districts which are planning to end mandatory mask policies and other restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of infection.

But — and there’s always a “but” when discussing this insidious public health menace — the circumstances differ widely from city to city and county to county.

We can cheer that Isle of Wight County reports 73.8% of its adult population has had at least one vaccine dose and celebrate Newport News reaching 66.3% while showing concern for low vaccination rates in Norfolk, Portsmouth and several other Hampton Roads cities.

Vaccine mandates will help with that, even though they were the option of last resort. Government and private business recognize that’s the most promising route to get over the hump, after voluntary acceptance and incentives weren’t doing enough.

The fact is, the pandemic has caused a tremendous strain on public health resources. It’s has shaken hospitals and health care workers. It’s causing health care costs (often subsidized by employers) to spike and creates a substantial drag on economic activity.

The only path forward is through vaccinations, which may not prevent infection but keep people from serious illness, hospitalization and death. The booster, now recommended for seniors and people in high-risk housing or employment, will help strengthen that protection and limit variant mutations that could prove more deadly than even the delta strain.

So too will vaccination approval for children, who are less likely to die from COVID but who can still become infected and suffer long-term ailments from the virus. Parents who have taken every precaution in order to protect their kids should see FDA approval as the long-awaited light at the end of the tunnel.

That is all very promising and very good, though public health officials still urge caution. Virginia is in a much better place than a year ago, but COVID will continue to be a problem — especially in communities where vaccination levels are low.

That should prompt local and state officials to redouble efforts to reach those who might be reluctant (especially those who are relying on false information) or who want the vaccine but because of circumstances (can’t miss work, taking care of kids, etc.) haven’t received it.

While we may never eradicate COVID19, Virginia is doing better to protect its citizens and manage the virus. That’s reason for optimism and for hope.