Four more COVID cases reported

Dickenson County recorded four new COVID-19 cases within one week.

As of June 15, the Virginia Department of Health reported a total of 957 confirmed cases in Dickenson County since the pandemic began months ago. As of Tuesday, the number increased to 961.

The county’s number of COVID-19-related deaths remained at 18.

Nearby, Russell County has recorded a total of 2,308 positive cases since the pandemic began, an increase of two cases in one week. Buchanan County’s total case count was 1,518, an increase of five cases in one week. Wise County has reported a total of 3,271 cases, an increase of two cases in one week.
To look at the health department’s data, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov and go to the COVID-19 Data and Resources section.

REMINDERS

As of Tuesday, 5,875 Dickenson County residents had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the health department. That’s about 40 percent of the population as it was estimated in 2018, at roughly 14,500.

Monday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that 70 percent of Virginians 18 and older have received at least one dose.

The commonwealth continues to see a significant decline in new virus cases, hospitalizations and deaths, the governor noted.

Virginia ended all COVID-19 mitigation measures May 28. The state of emergency that was declared March 12, 2020 is set to expire June 30.

However, 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.