County sees seven new cases; vaccination rate remains low

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

As of July 13, the Virginia Department of Health reported a total of 1,005 confirmed cases in Dickenson County since the pandemic began last year. As of Tuesday, the number increased to 1,012.

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

Nearby, Russell County has recorded a total of 2,319 positive cases since the pandemic began, an increase of four cases in one week. Buchanan County’s total case count was 1,565, an increase of four cases in one week. Wise County has reported a total of 3,311 cases, an increase of nine cases 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.

VACCINATION

As of Tuesday, only about 41 percent of Dickenson County residents had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the health department.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced June 21 that 70 percent of Virginians 18 and older had received at least one dose.

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.