Virginia Weekly Vaccine Allocations Increasing To 161,000

VIRGINIA — Virginia's weekly allocation of COVID-19 doses from the federal government is increasing this week, according to Dr. Danny Avula, the state vaccine coordinator. In addition, more pharmacies will be vaccine providers as doses increase for the federal government's pharmacy program.

In a Friday briefing on Virginia's vaccination efforts, Avula told reporters the weekly allocation will increase from 130,000 doses to about 161,000 doses. Those doses are distributed to health departments, hospitals, some smaller pharmacies and private providers.

Avula noted that vaccine deliveries delayed by weather last week were pushed into the next week. That means those doses and the regularly-scheduled weekly allocation will be delivered this week.

"There should be lots of headway made on our pre-registration list, lots of opportunity to vaccinate, and an expansion of partners in some cases about how that
vaccination actually happens," said Avula.

The state's allocation is separate from the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership, which involves the federal government directly sending doses to participating pharmacy partners. CVS began administering doses in Virginia through the federal program earlier in February. The weekly allocation for CVS vaccine appointments in Virginia has been 26,000, and Avula said that allocation will remain the same. CVS is taking appointments for Virginians 65 and older, but appointment slots have filled quickly so far.

According to Avula, the federal government added another 26,000 doses for the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership. Those doses will be split among different pharmacy providers, including

Walgreens, Walmart, Safeway, Giant, Food Lion, Martin's, Harris Teeter, Kroger and independent pharmacies.

"We really, in those selections, try to prioritize geographic spread, making sure that there was access in parts of the state that haven't seen that, which is why there was a big focus on Walmart in particular, and then of the independent pharmacy network of places like Southwest Virginia, that those channels have better coverage," Avula said.

SEE ALSO: COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Available At Safeway Stores

As of Tuesday, 1,632,700 vaccine doses have been administered in the state, according to the Virginia Department of Health. That's about percent of the 2,120,885 doses distributed. Of the doses distributed, 92 percent of first doses have been administered and 54.2 percent of second doses have been administered.

A total of 1,135,299 people have at least one dose (13.3 percent of Virginia's population), and 497,401 are fully vaccinated (5.8 percent of population). On average, 29,735 doses are administered per day.

COVID-19 data update

On Tuesday, 1,769 new coronavirus cases were reported by VDH, and the seven-day average of daily cases is 1,962. Northern Virginia had 363 new cases and a seven-day average of 436.

Another record high of 172 new deaths was reported on Tuesday. VDH continues to process 2021 death certificates tied to the post-holiday surge of coronavirus cases. VDH notes that deaths by date reported do not reflect the dates of deaths. Data on deaths by the date on death certificates continues to be updated.

Current COVID-19 hospitalizations stand at 1,618 statewide, including 315 in the intensive care units and 196 on ventilators. Northern Virginia has 274 current patients. According to Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association data, ICU occupancy among all hospital patients is at 76 percent, and ventilator use was at 31 percent.

Virginia's seven-day average of positive tests remains at 8.3 percent as of Feb. 19. The average has been trending down since reaching a winter peak of 17.4 percent on Jan. 3. Northern Virginia's average is 7.6 percent, down from a winter peak of 16.6 percent on Jan. 2.

The average number of daily PCR testing encounters is trending down since peaking at 35,027 on Jan. 14. The latest average is 20,184.

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

• Alexandria: 10,210 cases, 505 hospitalizations, 109 deaths; increase of 24 cases, two hospitalizations and two deaths
• Arlington County: 12,922 cases, 760 hospitalizations, 217 deaths; increase of 28 cases, two hospitalizations and three deaths
• Fairfax County: 65,469 cases, 3,473 hospitalizations, 870 deaths; increase of 152 cases, seven hospitalizations and 11 deaths
• Fairfax City: 478 cases, 36 hospitalizations, 13 deaths; one case removed
• Falls Church: 343 cases, 20 hospitalizations, seven deaths; increase of two cases
• Loudoun County: 22,762 cases, 835 hospitalizations, 205 deaths; increase of 58 cases, three hospitalizations and two deaths
• Manassas: 3,970 cases, 160 hospitalizations, 36 deaths; increase of eight cases and one death
• Manassas Park: 1,117 cases, 66 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of four cases
• Prince William County: 38,832 cases, 1,370 hospitalizations, 358 deaths; increase of 88 cases, three hospitalizations and four deaths
• Fredericksburg: 1,748 cases, 93 hospitalizations, 17 deaths; increase of 24 cases, two hospitalizations and three deaths
• Spotsylvania County: 8,156 cases, 276 hospitalizations, 93 deaths; increase of 16 cases, nine hospitalizations and four deaths
• Stafford County: 9,368 cases, 309 hospitalizations, 64 deaths; increase of 27 cases, eight hospitalizations and three deaths