County sees a dozen more COVID cases

Dickenson County recorded 12 new COVID-19 cases within one week.

As of June 22, the Virginia Department of Health reported a total of 961 confirmed cases in Dickenson County since the pandemic began months ago. As of Tuesday, the number increased to 973.

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

Nearby, Russell County has recorded a total of 2,311 positive cases since the pandemic began, an increase of three cases in one week. Buchanan County’s total case count was 1,529, an increase of 11 cases in one week. Wise County has reported a total of 3,272 cases, an increase of one case in a 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, 5,963 Dickenson County residents had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the health department. That’s about 41 percent of the population as it was estimated in 2018, at roughly 14,500.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced June 21 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.