A week brings 175 virus cases, two deaths

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wise County increased by 175 between Nov. 4 and yesterday.

The Virginia Department of Health reported Wednesday morning that the county’s total confirmed cases in the months since the pandemic began had risen to 909 — up from 734 one week earlier.

Adding in the 96 new cases confirmed between Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, that means the county has seen 271 new COVID-19 cases in two weeks.

Within the last week, the number of county deaths attributed to the virus increased by two to 12.

Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases across several months rose from 171,426 Nov. 4 to 179,686 yesterday, an increase of 8,260. The number of “probable” cases in Virginia rose from 14,410 Nov. 4 to 16,820 Wednesday, an increase of 2,410.

During the same period, the number of confirmed deaths increased by 58 to 3,474. The number of probable COVID-19 deaths increased by six to 267.

To look at the health department’s data, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov and go to the COVID-19 Data and Resources section.

CONCERNS, REMINDERS

During his Tuesday press briefing, Gov. Ralph Northam noted that Southwest Virginia continues to be a cause for concern, with a COVID-19 positive case rate of 9 percent.

Northam emphasized that this region faces increasing community spread of the virus against a shrinking number of available hospital beds.

The governor said his office is working with local leaders to promote the importance of prevention measures such as physical distancing and wearing a mask in the appropriate settings.

The state health department reminds citizens that an executive order is in effect requiring people to wear cloth face coverings while they are in indoor public spaces.

“Cloth face coverings can help protect the people around you,” the department explains on its website. “Many people with COVID-19 have no signs or symptoms and can pass the virus to others without knowing it. When we talk, sneeze, or cough, tiny droplets that contain the virus can be carried into the air. Wearing a cloth face covering helps stop those droplets from going into the air or landing on surfaces.”

In other words, wearing a face mask is intended to protect not yourself, but those around you. Refusing to wear a face mask in a supermarket, convenience store, pharmacy or other indoor public setting means that you are putting those around you at greater risk.

Although the executive order has been in place for months, those traveling around Wise County continue to frequently encounter people who enter public indoor facilities without wearing a face covering. While most businesses have posted signs near entrances reminding patrons of the mask requirement, actual enforcement remains spotty at best.

VDH recommends the following precautions:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a face mask when around others outdoors in public places, or indoors if you are with people who are not members of your household; that is, people who do not live with you. Wear your mask properly; it should completely cover both the nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of your face and allow you to breathe comfortably.

• Maintain good physical distance between yourself and others: six feet or more, or 10 feet or more if singing, shouting or exercising.

• Stay home if you are sick, or have been with someone who is sick.

• Wash and disinfect high-touch surfaces frequently. Get a flu shot.

Anyone who is concerned about others not being required to wear a face mask indoors can file an online complaint by going to https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=Y4P9H7DTWA.