Taking care of one another
As we have now entered double digits for cases of COVID-19 in the county, I wanted to take an opportunity to discuss the statistics that are available, how we are handling this pandemic, and our way forward as a county.
Today is Sunday, May 17th and our count for COVID-19 cases in the county, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), stands at 12. We currently have no reported hospitalization or deaths. It is important to note that the count of 12 includes all positive test results for county residents since testing began, and for Rappahannock, our
rst case was reported at the beginning of April. It is logical to conclude that most, if not all, people are self-isolating, treating themselves at home, and recovering. VDH does not track the number of recoveries, so those numbers on the daily reports will never decrease, they will only increase.
The takeaway from those numbers should be the examination of current trends. Thankfully, we are not seeing the outbreaks or exponential spread that neighboring counties are experiencing. In an early interview with the Rappahannock News, our county administrator, Mr. Curry, expressed that the virus may hit us like a wave, and it still may. I wonder if it might more resemble a tide, or ripples, spreading in from the edges of the county or developing in circles, centered around one point of infection. Dr. Wade Kartchner, the physician serving as Director for our Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, has described our current numbers as “plateaued,” but still we remain vigilant. With the increased availability of testing, it is logical to conclude our numbers will also increase. Analysis is ongoing daily, and we will meet any needs as they arise.
Recognizing this is a public health emergency, from the very beginning of this pandemic your Board of Supervisors has been uni ed in looking to the Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control for guidance. Your Board of Supervisors remains dedicated to navigating this situation as safely and successfully as we can for the people of Rappahannock County. If you have any concerns, or know of needs that are not being addressed, please call or email your supervisor. We are here to serve you. Contact information for all the supervisors is available on the county website — rappahannockcountyva.gov — or you can call the county o ce at 540-675-5330.
As we begin the phased reopening of our county, please continue to be kind, and know that there may be challenges and setbacks. At the beginning of this pandemic, I reached out to Mr. Roger Welch, former longtime Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Representative for the Wake eld District. I will never forget his advice. It has given me peace in the last few weeks, and I hope it does for you, too. He said, “The people of Rappahannock have always known how to take good care of each other.” If we can all just continue to do that, however that may look for you, Rappahannock will emerge from this crisis better than ever.
Thank you.