The Virginia Department of Health released their daily updated numbers involving COVID-19 cases within the state.
According to their website, there are now 162,941 total cases, 153,117 of which are confirmed and 9,824 are probable. There are 3,388 total COVID-19 related deaths, with 3,149 being confirmed and 239 being probable.
A total of 2,326,802 COVID-19 PCR tests have now been given in Virginia. As of Monday, the 7-day average for percent positivity in the state is sitting is at 4.7%. Many health districts in Hampton Roads are reporting at 5% or lower in test positivity rate, including: the Peninsula Health District, Eastern Shore District, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
The case numbers are up by 1,331, and deaths are up by 7 since Wednesday. Locally, there were two deaths reported in Virginia Beach. There were also 189 local cases that made up about 14% of the state's total increase.
At least 59,494 new coronavirus cases were reported in the United States on Wednesday, which is the highest daily count since August 14, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The data shows there was also an increase in the number of deaths, with at least 985 reported Wednesday, up from 802 the day before.
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, the U.S. leads the world in the number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths, followed by India, Brazil and Russia.
The current rise in cases in several areas of the U.S. has many infectious disease experts worried about a large spike in the fall and winter months, a time when the country is using health care resources to battle the flu. To help combat the risk of a "twindemic," doctors are encouraging all Americans to get a flu vaccination. To read more about what experts are recommending to stay safe and healthy, click here.
The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association also updated their numbers. As of Thursday, there are 690 people currently being hospitalized, confirmed with COVID-19. There are 319 people receiving inpatient hospital care whose test results are still pending.
Combined, there are a total of 1,009 being hospitalized for coronavirus related illness. That's 44 more hospitalizations from Thursday.
The total statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations that have been reported over time is now 11,704.
220 confirmed positive patients, and those whose test results are pending, are currently hospitalized in the ICU.
104 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 2,668 in the state - that's 22% usage.
18,831 patients who have been hospitalized for coronavirus have been discharged.
Here's the breakdown of confirmed cases in local areas:
| TOTAL CASES | NEW CASES TODAY | TOTAL DEATHS | NEW DEATHS TODAY | |||
| VIRGINIA TOTALS | 162,941 | 1,331 | 3,388 | 7 | ||
| ACCOMACK | 1,197 | 2 | 19 | 0 | ||
| CHESAPEAKE | 4,661 | 33 | 75 | -1 | ||
| FRANKLIN | 464 | 3 | 10 | 0 | ||
| GLOUCESTER | 319 | 6 | 3 | 0 | ||
| HAMPTON | 2,004 | 21 | 28 | 0 | ||
| ISLE OF WIGHT | 816 | 0 | 22 | 0 | ||
| JAMES CITY | 909 | 3 | 21 | 0 | ||
| MATHEWS | 127 | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
| NEWPORT NEWS | 2,973 | 21 | 49 | 0 | ||
| NORFOLK | 5,122 | 30 | 80 | 0 | ||
| NORTHAMPTON | 311 | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||
| POQUOSON | 86 | 3 | 2 | 0 | ||
| PORTSMOUTH | 2,706 | 7 | 63 | 0 | ||
| SOUTHAMPTON | 876 | 2 | 30 | 0 | ||
| SUFFOLK | 2,220 | 9 | 77 | 0 | ||
| VIRGINIA BEACH | 7,415 | 36 | 101 | 2 | ||
| WILLIAMSBURG | 204 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| YORK | 603 | 8 | 9 | 0 | ||
| LOCAL TOTALS | 33,013 | 189 | 628 | 1 |
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7-day average for COVID-19 percent positivity in our local area is currently 4.85%. Here is the breakdown:
| 1.5% | (Eastern Shore District) |
| 6.4% | (Chesapeake) |
| 5.2% | (Western Tidewater District) |
| 5.5% | (Hampton) |
| 3.4% | (Peninsula District) |
| 4.1% | (Norfolk) |
| 4.3% | (Portsmouth) |
| 3.2% | (Virginia Beach) |