Resurgence: Area sees 62 new cases, one death

Once again, new COVID-19 cases are on the rampage as the delta variant of the virus spreads rapidly.

Health officials say the overwhelming majority of new cases locally and nationwide are striking people who have not gotten vaccinated.

There were 46 new COVID-19 cases reported in Wise County between Monday and yesterday, according the Virginia Department of Health.

As of Thursday, the county had racked up a total of 3,421 cases since spring 2020, compared to 3,375 cases as of Monday.

The county’s total number of deaths associated with COVID-19 increased by one, from 105 to 106.

The health department’s cumulative positive case count for Norton increased by 16, from 309 to 325.

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

Meanwhile, statewide case numbers continue to rise at a quickening pace.

In Virginia, the total number of confirmed cases across several months rose from 540,152 Monday to 543,294 yesterday, an increase of 3,142. The number of “probable” cases rose from 157,787 Monday to 159,525 yesterday, an increase of 1,738.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Virginia increased by 12 to 9,750. The number of probable COVID-19 deaths remained at 1,796.

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

VACCINATION RATES

About 41 percent of Wise County residents and nearly 46 percent of Norton residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to health department statistics.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced June 21 that 70 percent of Virginians 18 and older had received at least one dose.

Guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifies that those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.