Most Virginians Will Take COVID-19 Vaccine: Patch Survey

VIRGINIA — A majority of Patch readers in northern Virginia said in an informal survey they would take the COVID-19 vaccine if it were offered to them.

"I work with seniors and I will be getting the vaccine in a matter of weeks for their protection as well as my own," Eileen Anatra of Reston said, responding to a Neighbor Post question. "The science is there and it shows the vaccine is safer than the virus.

A news release from Gov. Ralph Northam's office indicated Virginia received an initial 72,150 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday and Tuesday at health systems across the state. Among providers, health care workers directly caring for COVID-19 patients will be given top priority for the first vaccines.

After the arrival of the first Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses in Virginia, the first health care workers received their first dose on Tuesday.

Many of Anatra's neighbors said they would take the vaccine as well, including Rosemary McDowell and Patricia Benalcazar. Herndon's Michael Lloyd said he'd get the the vaccination as soon as possible.

"I figure this is a small action I can take to promote the health and wellbeing of my family, friends and community," said Mary Curry Narayan of Reston.

The response to Patch's survey was not unanimous, however. Daniel Arnaud gave a definitive "No," and Deborah L. Patterson of Herndon said she wouldn't get the vaccination until seeing how a trial goes.

"At my age I am no longer willing to be a guinea pig, and, I want to know what the possible side effects will be," she said.

Joanne Johnston of Vienna also expressed concerns about taking the vaccine before all of the side effects were known.

"Our government has not had good leadership regarding the pandemic and I do not feel that there has been enough oversight to be comfortable that manufacturers really know all the issues that may come from the vaccine," she said. "They do not even know how long the 90 to 95 percent immunity might last. I really hope it's OK, as they are essentially testing on our front line medical workers."

An estimated 480,000 doses of vaccine from Pfizer and Moderna could come to Virginia by the end of December. This initial allocation will cover nearly all health care personnel and long-term care facility residents, the top priority groups for the vaccine. The Virginia Department of Health estimates up to 500,000 individuals are in these priority groups. Moderna's vaccine is in the process of seeking emergency use authorization from the FDA, and that approval could come as soon as this week. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will require two doses.

At Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Hampton Roads, Gov. Ralph Northam was on hand to see Sentara Healthcare's first vaccine be administered on Tuesday. Sentara’s initial vaccine supply is being limited to priority groups in hospital settings with the highest risk of COVID-19 exposure. That includes emergency department staff, ICU staff, COVID patient units staff, respiratory unit staff, cleaning and food service employees who interact with patients, and more. It will be voluntary for employees.

The University of Virginia's health system also announced the start of vaccinations Tuesday for employees with the highest risk of work related exposure. These employees include doctors, nurses, environmental services workers and pharmacists. UVA's initial shipment included nearly 3,000 doses.

Northam met virtually with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Wednesday to discuss how they will continue to work together in protecting the region from COVID-19.

Back in March, the three leaders established a regional testing framework and agreed to advocate together for more resources the federal government.

“The COVID-19 virus knows neither borders nor boundaries – it does not recognize state or city lines. We are working closely together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," they said, in a joint statement. Together, we are promoting social distancing and encouraging all of our residents to stay at home and avoid crowds and gatherings. In each of our jurisdictions, we will be enforcing crowd control measures and social distancing standards.

Virginia has partnered with Maryland and D.C. on a coordinated #COVID19 response since the pandemic began—and we remain one of the safest regions in the nation.

Today, I joined @MayorBowser and @GovLarryHogan to discuss ways we can keep working together to protect our residents. pic.twitter.com/ogcH4GPkeC
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) December 16, 2020

On Thursday, 3,853 additional coronavirus cases were reported statewide, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The statewide seven-day average of daily cases reached a peak of 3,920 on Dec. 12 before starting to decline in the last few days. The latest average is 3,579.

New cases by region include 877 in the southwest region, 934 in the northern region, 792 in the eastern region, 878 in the northwest region, and 372 in the central region.

Current COVID-19 hospitalizations stand at 2,399 statewide, which includes 490 in the intensive care units and 246 on ventilators. Patients by region include 624 in the northern region, 5534 in the eastern region, 453 in the southwest region, 387 in the northwest region, and 401 in the central region.

According to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, ventilator use among all hospital patients is at 32 percent capacity, and ICU occupancy is at 80 percent. The 2019 average for ICU occupancy was 67 percent. No hospitals have reported difficulty obtaining personal protective equipment in the next 72 hours since Sept. 18.

The statewide seven-day average of positive PCR tests is 11.6 percent as of Dec. 14, and regional averages are 15.2 percent in the southwest region, 12.4 percent in the eastern region, 11.6 percent in the northern region, 10.7 percent in the northwest region, and 8.9 percent in the central region. Statewide, a seven-day average of 26,403 PCR testing encounters are being reported each day.

There were 45 new deaths reported on Thursday, and the seven-day average of daily death reports is 31.14.

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

• Alexandria: 6,421 cases, 407 hospitalizations, 82 deaths; increase of 58 cases and six hospitalizations
• Arlington County: 7,661 cases, 631 hospitalizations, 167 deaths; increase of 67 cases, three hospitalizations and one death
• Fairfax County: 38,091 cases, 2,736 hospitalizations, 649 deaths; increase of 398 cases, 18 hospitalizations and one death
• Fairfax City: 253 cases, 22 hospitalizations, 10 deaths; increase of three cases, one hospitalization
• Falls Church: 146 cases, 16 hospitalizations, six deaths
• Loudoun County: 12,297 cases, 612 hospitalizations, 155 deaths; increase of 164 cases, 11 hospitalizations, and one death
• Manassas: 2,625 cases, 145 hospitalizations, 29 deaths; increase of 13 cases and 41 hospitalizations
• Manassas Park: 840 cases, 62 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of four cases
• Prince William County: 21,969 cases, 1,156 hospitalizations, 246 deaths; increase of 291 cases and four hospitalizations, and two deaths
• Fredericksburg: 865 cases, 60 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of five cases
• Spotsylvania County: 3,916 cases, 193 hospitalizations, 60 deaths; increase of 44 cases, one hospitalization and one death
• Stafford County: 4,257 cases, 215 hospitalizations, 23 deaths; increase of 50 cases