A man receives his COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Richmond International Raceway. Photo courtesy Henrico County
Nearly a quarter of Virginia’s population has now been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Virginia Department of Health’s update Monday, March 22, and counties in the Eastern Shore, Southern Virginia and northern Shenandoah Valley have expanded vaccination to include people in group 1c.
So far, 3.1 million vaccine doses have been administered statewide as of Monday, and 2 million people have been vaccinated with at least one dose — 24.2% of the state’s population. The state is averaging 49,912 administered doses daily, VDH reported.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to announce some loosening of public gathering restrictions that would take effect April 1, according to multiple news reports. The governor unveiled a tentative plan last week that would allow in-person graduations at schools, colleges and universities outdoors, with a limit of 5,000 people or 30% of the venue capacity. Indoor events will be capped at 500 people or 30%, and masks and social distancing will be required.
