Our next 4 p.m. update will be on Monday, March 1
BY THE NUMBERS as of 10 a.m., Feb. 26
Current 7-Day Positivity Rate PCR Only
State: 7.8%
Peninsula Health District: 12.1%
James City County: 8.1%
Statewide Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths
Cases: 572,639 (increase of 1,657 over previous day)
Hospitalizations: 23,978 (increase of 107 over previous day)
Deaths: 8,197 (increase of 234 over previous day)
James City County Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths
Cases: 3,835 (increase of 7 over previous day)
Hospitalizations: 125 (increase of 1 over previous day)
Deaths: 51 (increase of 2 over previous day)
VACCINATIONS
Statewide
Vaccine doses administered: 1,781,339 (increase of 71,555 over previous day)
People fully vaccinated: 587,990 (increase of 44,596 over previous day)
James City County
* Vaccine doses administered: 22,720 (decrease of 4,763 from previous day)
* People fully vaccinated: 5,742 (decrease of 1,060 from previous day)
*The numbers for the City of Williamsburg have increased substantially; therefore, we believe our decrease is the result of VDH correcting locality information.
HAVE YOU PRE-REGISTERED FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINATION WITH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH?
- Pre-registration website: https://vaccinate.virginia.gov
- You can also call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682), seven days a week from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Language translation and TTY services available.
- Please list your race/ethnicity when you sign up for your vaccine and on the day of your appointment. We ask because this helps to ensure fair and equitable vaccine access and distribution to all Virginians.
- Updated Frequently Asked Questions from the Virginia Department of Health: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-faq/vaccination/
FEDERAL RETAIL PHARMACY PROGRAM
- We understand that additional pharmacies in our area have received COVID-19 vaccine doses through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Please continue to reach out to your health care providers and pharmacies in addition to pre-registering on the website https://vaccinate.virginia.gov. For more information about the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/retail-pharmacy-program/index.html.
LOCAL INFORMATION
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line for Vaccine Distribution in the Greater Williamsburg area: 877-724-1954
- Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.williamsburgva.gov/i-want-to/learn-more-about/peninsula-covid-19-vaccine-faqs/-fsiteid-1
LATEST NEWS ON COVID-19
VACCINATE VIRGINIA - Feb. 24 Update
The Vaccine Summary Dashboard continues to show Virginia’s significant progress in vaccinations, with more than 1.6 million doses administered. Although last week’s severe winter weather delayed vaccine shipments to Virginia, more than 9 in 10 of available first doses have been administered. (It is important to note that the number of doses shown as being “received” by hospitals and local health districts does not account for the doses they then redistribute to other partners such as physicians and pharmacies.)
The statewide vaccine pre-registration system at vaccinate.virginia.gov has received more than 518,000 pre-registrations since its launch on February 15. Including individuals who pre-registered through local health districts in the past, the new system now includes nearly 1.7 million residents and essential workers. All individuals who have previously filled out a survey or form or signed up for a waitlist to be vaccinated through their local health district have been automatically imported into the new statewide system and do not need to pre-register again. As data migration continues, some pre-registrations may not yet appear in the search tool. Anyone who experiences difficulties with the search function should check the spelling of their name and email address carefully and consider whether they may have used a different name, phone number, or email address in the past. Anyone with questions should call 877-VAX-IN-VA rather than their local health district. A public information toolkit is available to assist local health districts, localities, and community partners with graphics, talking points, frequently asked questions, and other materials.
The new central Vaccinate Virginia phone number, 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682), has received more than 115,000 calls so far, and is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Service is available immediately in English and Spanish, with real-time interpreter services available in any of more than 100 languages as needed.
Based on our population, Virginia is now receiving approximately 161,000 doses per week from the federal government. There are still simply not enough doses available yet for everyone who is eligible to receive them. Virginia is not likely to meet the demand for Phase 1b until March or April. Unfortunately, it may be weeks or longer before vaccination appointments become available for those who have pre-registered.
As part of a federal retail pharmacy program, 140 pharmacy locations in Virginia are now receiving a total of 52,000 new first doses per week beyond Virginia’s normal allocation. Participating locations include CVS, Food City, Giant, Kroger/Harris Teeter, Safeway, Walgreens, Walmart, and multiple independent community pharmacies. The Commonwealth is working with these pharmacies to ensure that as many appointments as possible are offered first to people age 65 and older who are currently on local health district waitlists, rather than accepting new signups from the general public. Unfortunately, CVS has been unable to find a way to do this within the technical limits of their appointment system. Anyone 65 or older can check cvs.com regularly as appointments become available.
Governor Northam has amended Executive Order 72 to expand opportunities for outdoor activities in light of improving COVID-19 case statistics. While limits on indoor gatherings remain the same (including a limit of 10 people at indoor social gatherings), the limit on outdoor social gatherings and exercise groups will increase to 25 people and the limit on outdoor racetrack and amusement venues will increase to 1,000 people. The amended order removes the stay-at-home order from midnight to 5 a.m. and extends the cutoff time for alcohol sales in restaurant dining rooms from 10 p.m. to midnight. These amendments, which will be effective March 1, follow the recent amendment in effect as of February 22 to increase the capacity limit for outdoor recreational sporting events to 250 spectators. Summer camps will be able to open as of May 1, using strict mitigation protocols such as small cohorts of campers. Today’s news release, detailed guidelines, and frequently asked questions about Executive Order 72 are also available.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing after vaccination. We don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself. Experts are also looking at how many people get vaccinated and how COVID-19 is spreading in communities.
Until we learn more, continue to:
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
- Wash your hands often.
PREVIOUSLY RELEASED INFORMATION
COUNTY NEWS ON COVID-19
- County Administrator Scott Stevens provided a vaccination update to the Board of Supervisors during their Feb. 23 business meeting: https://play.champds.com/jamescitycova/event/139/s/2696
- COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Program
---- Do you live in James City County, the City of Williamsburg or York County?
---- Have you been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?
---- Are you behind in your rental payments?
You may be eligible for rental assistance. Call 757-259-5340 or email housing@jamescitycountyva.gov for more information.
- If you are a JCC resident and have questions about the CARES Act for your water or sewer bill contact James City Service Authority at 757-259-5416 or email at jcsa@jamescitycountyva.gov and put CARES Act in the subject heading. For those that have applied please monitor your account.
FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
- Virginia COVID-19 Briefing, Feb. 24, 2021: https://youtu.be/DGMUMBUZ3YQ
- Governor Northam Increases Capacity Limits for Outdoor Sports and Entertainment Venues as COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Infection Rates Continue to Fall, Vaccinations Rise: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4559
- Executive Order 72, Amended Feb. 24, 2021: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-72-THIRD-AMENDED-and-Order-of-Public-Health-Emergency-Nine-Easing-of-Commonsense-Surge-Restrictions-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf
- Governor Northam Unveils Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration System: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4533
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
- First Case of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 Variant Identified in the Central Region of Virginia: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4564
- Additional Pharmacy Networks Added to Federal Partnership to Provide No-Cost COVID-19 Vaccines: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4560
- VDH has started a Community Ambassador program to share COVID-19 updates and materials from top experts and sources. For more information, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGoe2wnqslieI6KTFLXbY-0rwmK9G4rUlY27LkwFIEwvDqvQ/viewform
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
- Vaccine Information for Veterans and VA Health Care Personnel: https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
- Updated - Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html
- Updated – What to Expect After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html
- New and updated COVID-19 videos are now available in American Sign Language (ASL) on CDC’s YouTube channel. The videos cover topics like masks, hand washing, planning outings and visits, and back to school planning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo9CbXNvNRw&list=PLvrp9iOILTQatwnqm61jqFrsfUB4RKh6J
- CDC 's new COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review helps you stay up-to-date on the pandemic and understand the data. The weekly report combines visualizations, analysis, and interpretations of key data and trends. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.html
- Data from first month of COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring are reassuring about safety of the vaccines. Most reports of adverse events were non-serious. Common symptoms reported after vaccination included pain, fatigue, headache, & muscle pain/body ache. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7008e3.htm?s_cid=mm7008e3_w
SCAMS
- INFORMATION FROM THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
You cannot pay to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and you will not need to provide your social security number or bank/credit card information to receive the vaccine. Learn what you can do to protect yourself from COVID-19 vaccine scams by visiting the FTC website. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/01/scammers-cash-covid-19-vaccination-confusion
- INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combattingfraud
- INFORMATION FROM THE FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/coronavirus
TESTING
- Who should get tested for COVID-19? https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/
ADD YOUR PHONE TO THE COVID FIGHT
- COVIDWISE is Virginia’s official exposure notifications app that lets you know if you’ve likely been exposed to another COVIDWISE user with a positive COVID-19 test result. COVIDWISE is free to download on your smartphone and designed to completely protect your privacy. The more Virginians that use COVIDWISE, the better you can be informed of potential exposure, which helps reduce your risk while protecting your family, friends and community. COVIDWISE is now connected to the National Key Server, which lets COVIDWISE anonymously share data with exposure notifications apps from other states. Visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covidwise/ for more information.
NEED HELP OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES?
- If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:
---- Call 911
---- Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
---- Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
COVID WARMLINE
- Call the Virginia C.O.P.E.S. warm line if you are feeling stressed by COVID-19 and need support. Virginia C.O.P.E.S., which stands for compassionate, optimistic, person-centered, empowering support, is a “warm” line set up to help people who are having trouble dealing with the changes in our lives due to COVID-19. Callers can receive emotional support and referrals for mental and behavioral health and other services. Unlike 911, which is used only for emergencies, a warm line offers support and gives people the chance to talk about their struggles and mental health. The COVID Warm Line number is (877) 349-6428 Toll Free. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 5 -9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Spanish speaking counselors are available.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
- Virginia Department of Health (VDH): www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus, Phone: 1-877-ASK-VDH3
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Media Contact:
Renee Dallman, Public Information Officer
757-253-6605; renee.dallman@jamescitycountyva.gov