More Contagious California COVID-19 Variant Shows Up In Virginia

VIRGINIA — Several cases of COVID-19 variants from California have been identified in Virginia, according to the state Department of Health. These variants are expected to be more contagious but not more severe.

The Virginia Health Department reported the first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.427 and B.1.429 on Thursday. The variants first emerged in California in the summer of 2020.

The California variants are associated with increased person-to-person transmission of COVID-19, according to the VDH. The two California variants were recently added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Variant of Concern list.

Virginia identified a total of 14 cases of the B.1.427 California variant and nine cases of the B.1.429 California variant in samples collected between December and February. Among the other variants, 26 cases of the South Africa variant and 127 cases of the United Kingdom variant have been identified in Virginia.

With enhanced state and national surveillance efforts, it is likely that additional cases of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern will be identified, the health department said.

Vaccinations

As of Friday, 1,209,895 Virginians, or 14.2 percent of the state's population, were fully vaccinated. According to Virginia Department of Health data, 3,357,008 total doses have been administered, with 2,230,858 people, or 26.1 percent of the state's population, receiving at least their first dose.

The state is averaging 52,192 doses administered per day. Local health departments lead the state with 1,064,495 total doses given, followed by hospitals with 777,264 total doses. Pharmacies have administered a total of 685,508 vaccines. Medical practices are next with 498,973 doses administered followed by community health providers at 330,768.

SEE ALSO: How To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine In Virginia

All Virginians, except those in the Fairfax Health District, can preregister for the vaccine at vaccinate.virginia.gov. Fairfax County and cities of Falls Church and Fairfax residents eligible in the current phases 1a or 1b should continue to register through the local health department.

COVID-19 Data

On Friday, 1,799 additional COVID-19 cases were reported by VDH, and the seven-day average of daily cases was 1,411. Northern Virginia accounted for 644 new cases and has a seven-day average of 389 daily cases.

An additional seven COVID-19 deaths were reported Friday, bringing the death total to 10,154.

The VDH is reporting a 5.6-percent positivity rate from the coronavirus tests performed on residents over the past seven days. The positive rate is far below the 2021 high of 17.4 percent reported on Jan. 3 by the VDH. Since the start of the pandemic, the all-time high of the seven-day positivity rate was 20.2 percent on April 20, 2020.

On average, 18,512 daily PCR testing encounters were reported statewide on March 22, down from a peak of 35,034 on Jan. 14.

Virginia's COVID-19 hospitalizations stand at 997 statewide as of Friday, down from 1,003 Thursday. The current count includes 238 patients in intensive care units and 131 on ventilators.

Ventilator use among all hospital patients is at 30 percent, and ICU occupancy is at 78 percent, according to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Thursday to Friday:

• Alexandria: 10,850 cases, 528 hospitalizations, 127 deaths; increase of 25 cases; one death removed
• Arlington County: 14,042 cases, 795 hospitalizations, 244 deaths; increase of 45 cases and five hospitalizations
• Fairfax County: 70,678 cases, 3,679 hospitalizations, 1,034 deaths; increase of 252 cases and 12 hospitalizations
• Fairfax City: 511 cases, 41 hospitalizations, 17 deaths; one case removed
• Falls Church: 384 cases, 20 hospitalizations, 10 deaths; increase of two cases
• Loudoun County: 24,924 cases, 939 hospitalizations, 265 deaths; increase of 130 cases, seven hospitalizations and one death
• Manassas: 4,137 cases, 166 hospitalizations, 45 deaths; increase of six cases
• Manassas Park: 1,167 cases, 67 hospitalizations, 12 deaths; increase of one case
• Prince William County: 41,508 cases, 1,504 hospitalizations, 467 deaths; increase of 184 cases
• Fredericksburg: 1,856 cases, 95 hospitalizations, 22 deaths; increase of six cases
• Spotsylvania County: 8,737 cases, 286 hospitalizations, 107 deaths; increase of 35 cases
• Stafford County: 10,059 cases, 336 hospitalizations, 68 deaths; increase of 23 cases