Area sees 27 new cases, one additional death

The Virginia Department of Health reported yesterday morning that Wise County’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the months since the pandemic began increased by 25 since Monday, from 3,166 to 3,191.

The county’s total number of deaths associated with COVID-19 increased by one to 97.

Meanwhile, the health department’s cumulative positive case count for Norton increased by two to 284.

The number of total deaths in the city remained at seven.

Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases across several months rose from 519,310 Monday to 520,759 yesterday, an increase of 1,449. The number of “probable” cases rose from 147,676 Monday to 147,967 yesterday, an increase of 291.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Virginia increased by 57 to 9,249. The number of probable COVID-19 deaths increased by two, from 1,710 Monday to 1,712 Thursday.

To look at the health department’s data, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov and go to the COVID-19 Data and Resources section.

REMINDERS

The state health department reminds citizens that an executive order is in effect requiring people to wear cloth face coverings while they are in indoor public spaces.

“Cloth face coverings can help protect the people around you,” the department explains on its website. “Many people with COVID-19 have no signs or symptoms and can pass the virus to others without knowing it. When we talk, sneeze, or cough, tiny droplets that contain the virus can be carried into the air. Wearing a cloth face covering helps stop those droplets from going into the air or landing on surfaces.”

In other words, wearing a face mask is intended to protect not yourself, but those around you. Refusing to wear a face mask in a supermarket, convenience store, pharmacy or other indoor public setting means that you are putting those around you at greater risk.

Although the executive order has been in place since late May 2020, those traveling around Wise County and Norton continue to frequently encounter people who enter public indoor facilities without wearing a face covering. While businesses have posted signs near entrances reminding patrons of the mask requirement, actual enforcement remains spotty at best.

Anyone who is concerned about others not being required to wear a face mask indoors can file an online complaint by going to https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=Y4P9H7DTWA.