Local health systems say COVID cases remain low
State and nation showing increases in virus activity
Virginia is seeing a slight increase in COVID activity as summer ends, but Hampton Roads health systems aren’t experiencing a major surge in cases.
Sentara Health expected a slight COVID uptick but overall numbers are low, with about 61 cases among its 12 hospitals, spokesperson Michael Kafka said. The Bon Secours network is not seeing any “alarming increase” or any issues with the supply of tests, spokesperson Emma Swann said. Neither system currently requires universal masking.
“Both nationally and in Virginia, we are seeing an uptick of COVID-19 trends,” the Virginia Department of Health said in an emailed statement from spokesperson Logan Anderson.
Anderson pointed to three particular data points: Emergency room visits resulting in a COVID diagnosis skewed upward from a recent low of under 0.5% in mid-July to just over 2%. Hospital admissions increased from about two to five per 100,000. Wastewater surveillance showed an increase in the viral load for two areas.
Williamsburg and York River are the only sewersheds in the state to show an increase in coronavirus particles for the week ending Aug.
20, the most recent data available, according to the health department’s online dashboard.
The York River, Onancock on the Eastern Shore, Halifax and Arlington were in the highest percentile for coronavirus particles in the most recent data. That means their viral loads are comparable to the highest they have been throughout the pandemic in those locations, but not that they are the highest viral loads in the state. Other areas have higher concentrations of coronavirus particles, but aren’t at their highest point
compared with their viral loads at other times.
Anderson echoed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in saying that the country is in a much better position to address the coronavirus than it was a year ago.
“We have safe and effective vaccines, treatments for those with COVID-19, and effective prevention steps we can all take to ensure we protect ourselves and our communities from this virus,” the state health department said.
Health officials recommend that people plan to get the newest booster as it
becomes available this fall. No new lockdowns or mask mandates are expected, based on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s previous guidance.
The newest booster is equipped to treat the Eris variant, which seems to be the dominant strain in new cases, but not the most heavily mutated strand, so far nicknamed the Pirola variant. Pirola, while not behind the current infections, has been spotted in Virginia, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Texas, with only one or two cases reported in each location, according to media reports from each state.