COVID-19 deaths reported in 3 local cities from Monday; Here's what the CDC has listed as top underlying medical conditions in related deaths

The Virginia Department of Health released their daily updated numbers involving COVID-19 cases within the state.

According to their website, there are now 121,615 total cases, 116,294 of which are confirmed and 5,321 are probable. There are 2,612 total COVID-19 related deaths, with 2,479 being confirmed and 133 being probable.

The case numbers are up by 1,021, and deaths are up by 32 since Monday. Locally, there were 161 new cases, 14 hospitalizations and 6 deaths in our area out of the state's total update. Deaths were reported from Norfolk, Newport News and in Chesapeake. Our local areas made up 16% of the state's case increase.

A total of 1,593,368 COVID-19 PCR tests have now been given in Virginia. Many local areas are continuing to see a slight decrease in test positivity rates, as well as Virginia's total percentage which is currently at 7.7%. Though many are decreasing, the Western Tidewater and more recently the Chesapeake health region have been reporting above a 12% percent positivity rate.

Virginia Department of Health

Varnier, Julia

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published their latest COVID-19 data update last week. According to data from the CDC, 94 percent of people who die while having COVID-19 also have other health concerns contributing to their deaths. This leads to death certificates that state both conditions; for example, listing both COVID-19 and diabetes, or COVID-19 and heart disease.

The CDC's data says that roughly 6 percent of those who died while having COVID-19, the virus “was the only cause mentioned” as a cause of death.

This signifies the role that contributing conditions play in how severe COVID-19 can be.

The top comorbidities, or underlying medical conditions in a COVID-19 death include:

• Influenza and pneumonia
• Respiratory failure
• Hypertensive disease
• Diabetes
• Vascular and unspecified dementia
• Cardiac arrest
• Heart failure
• Renal failure
• Intentional and unintentional injury, poisoning and other adverse events

The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association also updated their numbers. As of Tuesday, there are 804 people currently being hospitalized, confirmed with COVID-19. There are 235 people receiving inpatient hospital care whose test results are still pending. Combined, there are a total of 1,039 being hospitalized for coronavirus related illness. That's 41 less hospitalizations from Monday.

The total statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations that have been reported over time is now 9,621.

258 confirmed positive patients, and those whose test results are pending, are currently hospitalized in the ICU.

130 hospital patients, both confirmed for coronavirus, and those with test results pending, are currently on a ventilator. 593 ventilators are being used in hospitals out of the 3,655 in the state - that's 19% usage.

15,199 patients who have been hospitalized for coronavirus have been discharged.

Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association

Here's the breakdown of confirmed cases in local areas:

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