The state hit a new one-day record of nearly 10,000 COVID-19 cases on Sunday. The rise in coronavirus infections comes amid a significant increase in coronavirus-related deaths, with approximately 49 fatalities a day, or two deaths per hour, occurring in the commonwealth last week.
Meanwhile, Virginia public health officials said they expect a decrease in the number of COVID vaccine doses in coming weeks, with the news that the federal government does not possess the vaccine reserves it had said were being held back for second shots.
Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccine coordinator, said that Virginia will continue vaccinating as many people as possible in priority groups 1a and 1b — which include health care workers, long-term care facility residents and employees, “essential workers,” people age 65 and older, and younger people with health issues.
