New Cases Down To 4,526, Positive Average Trends Down In Virginia

VIRGINIA — An additional 4,526 coronavirus cases were reported Tuesday after three days of higher-than-usual daily cases, according to Virginia Department of Health data.

From Saturday, Jan. 16 to Monday, Jan. 18, daily cases were 6,757, 9,914, and 7,245, respectively. Sunday, Jan. 17's record-high number was driven by 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.

On Tuesday, the regional breakdown of cases is 1,154 in the eastern region, 1,006 in the northern region, 997 in the central region, 887 in the northwest region, 482 in the southwest region.

While cases have reached new highs, the positive rate of tests recently took a downturn despite testing encounters increasing above 30,000. The seven-day positive average had climbed above 17 percent on the second day of January but is 13.6 percent as of Jan. 15. Regional averages are 17.9 percent in the eastern region, 15.5 percent in the southwest region, 13.1 percent in the northern region, 12.1 percent in the central region, and 10.8 percent in the northwest region. The seven-day average of testing encounters (both positive and negative) has increased in recent days, reaching 33,179 on Jan. 15.

Current COVID-19 hospitalizations stand at 3,173 statewide, according to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. This includes 588 in the intensive care units and 347 on ventilators. To date, 35,752 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from hospitals in Virginia. ICU occupancy among all hospital patients is at 81 percent, and ventilator use is at 36 percent.

There were 59 new deaths reported on Tuesday, bringing the total death toll to 5,798. To date, there have been 451,076 cases and 20,066 hospitalizations.

Virginia is more than a month into COVID-19 vaccinations for its first priority groups. As of Tuesday, 304,562 people have had at least one dose and 36,826 are fully vaccinated in Virginia. Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines require two doses, with the second dose taken three to four weeks after the first. Eligible groups in phases 1a and 1b should seek information on vaccinations in their local health district.

To date, 943,400 doses have been distributed in Virginia. Hospitals continue to administer the most doses (167,250) followed by local health departments (88,176) and long-term care facilities (33,438). Medical practices have administered 22,344, other community providers have given 28,061, and pharmacies have administered 2,119.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Monday to Tuesday:

• Alexandria: 8,810 cases, 469 hospitalizations, 96 deaths; increase of 65 cases, two hospitalizations and one death
• Arlington County: 10,860 cases, 707 hospitalizations, 189 deaths; increase of 70 cases, one hospitalization and one death
• Fairfax County: 54,918 cases, 3,147 hospitalizations, 733 deaths; increase of 313 cases, two hospitalizations and one death
• Fairfax City: 373 cases, 26 hospitalizations, 10 deaths; increase of one hospitalization, one case removed
• Falls Church: 243 cases, 18 hospitalizations, six deaths; three cases removed
• Loudoun County: 17,236 cases, 692 hospitalizations, 170 deaths; increase of 222 cases, four hospitalizations and two deaths
• Manassas: 3,458 cases, 150 hospitalizations, 30 deaths; increase of 27 cases, one hospitalization and one death
• Manassas Park: 1,041 cases, 66 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of three cases
• Prince William County: 32,237 cases, 1,281 hospitalizations, 278 deaths; increase of 310 cases, three hospitalizations and two deaths
• Fredericksburg: 1,310 cases, 69 hospitalizations, 13 deaths; increase of 25 cases
• Spotsylvania County: 6,256 cases, 231 hospitalizations, 75 deaths; increase of 114 cases, one hospitalization and one death
• Stafford County: 6,887 cases, 254 hospitalizations, 35 deaths; increase of 251 cases, two hospitalizations and one death