Our next 4 p.m. update will be released on Thursday, April 29. We will continue to send urgent information as needed.
BY THE NUMBERS as of 10 a.m., April 29
Current 7-Day Positivity Rate PCR Only
State: 5.4%
Peninsula Health District: 5.9%
James City County: 3.2%
Statewide Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths
Cases: 654,929 (increase of 3,948 since Thursday, April 22)
Hospitalizations: 28,118 (increase of 201 since Thursday, April 22)
Deaths: 10,706 (increase of 53 since Thursday, April 22)
James City County Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths
Cases: 4,512 (increase of 24 since Thursday, April 22)
Hospitalizations: 144 (no change)
Deaths: 71 (increase of 1 since Thursday, April 22)
VACCINATIONS
Statewide
Vaccine doses administered: 5,911,691 (increase of 352,922 since Thursday, April 22)
People fully vaccinated: 2,445,766 (increase of 197,427 since Thursday, April 22)
James City County
Vaccine doses administered: 67,926 (increase of 2,703 since Thursday, April 22)
People fully vaccinated: 28,508 (increase of 1,731 since Thursday, April 22)
LATEST NEWS ON COVID-19
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
CDC Recommends Use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Resume: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/JJUpdate.html
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Statement from Virginia State Vaccination Coordinator Dr. Danny Avula on Federal Action Regarding Johnson & Johnson Vaccine: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4743
VDH and DCLS Launches COVID-19 Variants of Concern Dashboard: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4744
VACCINATE VIRGINIA – APRIL 22 UPDATE
Governor Northam has issued Fifth Amended Executive Order 72 as follows, effective April 21. These activities are still subject to updated guidance, including capacity limits and other safety requirements: Seating is now permitted in bar areas of restaurants, provided at least 6 feet is maintained between parties and no standing congregation is permitted.
- Outdoor races and marathons may place runners in staggered groups of up to 100 (up from 50).
- School theatrical and musical performances may allow patrons up to 30% of the venue capacity, with a maximum of 500 patrons indoors and no specific limit outdoors.
- Distancing requirements have been decreased from 10 feet to 6 feet for entertainment and public amusement venues, swimming pool seating, graduations, and recreational sporting events.
- Personal care and personal grooming studios are no longer required to maintain appointment logs and contact information for customers.
- Karaoke is no longer prohibited.
- Splash pads, hot tubs, and saunas are no longer prohibited.
- Brass instrument players may remove masks while playing, as could wind instrument players previously.
Governor Northam announced today that he will issue Sixth Amended Executive Order 72 as follows, effective May 15:
- Capacity limits at entertainment venues will increase from 30% to 50%, with an increase in the maximum number of indoor patrons from 500 to 1,000 and no specific limit on the number of outdoor patrons.
- Capacity limits at recreational sports venues will increase from 30% to 50%, with a maximum of 250 spectators per field for indoor events and 1,000 spectators per field for outdoor events.
- The limit on social gatherings will increase from 50 to 100 indoors and from 100 to 250 outdoors.
- Alcohol sales and restaurant dining will be permitted after midnight.
Virginia is now in Phase 2 of vaccination, with eligibility open to everyone age 16 or older. Anyone who pre-registered in Phase 1 has either been offered a vaccination appointment already or will be by April 30 if their contact information is accurate. Everyone should continue to visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA to get vaccinated.
With more than 5.5 million doses of vaccine administered so far in Virginia, more than half of all adults have received at least one dose and one in three adults are fully vaccinated. Virginia is administering vaccine doses as quickly as they are provided by the federal government.
PREVIOUSLY RELEASED INFORMATION
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/791/COVID-19-Vaccine-FAQs
COUNTY NEWS ON COVID-19
- Health Districts, Localities and Health Systems Join Forces Under Operation Vaccinate the Peninsula: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=4625
- 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.
JCC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Update: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has released official information about the RRF. Visit the website for more information: https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4723
Virginia 30 Day Fund Update: We have funded more than 125 businesses. We encourage businesses to review the Greater Williamsburg Small Business Relief Fund to assist with obstacles they have faced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Funding is still available.See if you qualify: https://va30dayfund.com.
VDEM/FEMA
- FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-Related Deaths in Virginia: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=4699
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
- Updated - What You Should Know About the Possibility of COVID-19 Illness After Vaccination: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/why-measure-effectiveness/breakthrough-cases.html
- Updated - Frequently Asked Questions about v-safe: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/faq.html
- Updated – Safer Travel Ideas: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-risk.html
- Updated - COVID-19 and People Who Use Drugs or Have Substance Use Disorder: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/other-at-risk-populations/people-who-use-drugs/QA.html
- Updated - Personal and Social Activities: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html
- Updated - People at Increased Risk: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html
FEMA
- Due to the large amount of speculation regarding COVID-19 vaccines, remember to rely on OFFICIAL sources to get information. Help control the spread of rumors by sharing this page: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/rumor-control fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/rumor-control
SCAMS
- FBI and Virginia Department of Health Partner to Warn of Fraud Schemes Related to COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4639
- People are reporting getting emails and texts asking them to complete a limited-time COVID vaccine survey. In exchange, people are offered a free reward, but asked to play shipping fees. This is a scam. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/ignore-bogus-covid-vaccine-survey
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