Our next 4 p.m. update will be released on Monday, May 3. We will continue to send urgent information as needed.
Vaccine Appointments Available TOMORROW, April 30!
The Greater Williamsburg Clinic, operating out of the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, has available appointment slots on Friday, April 30 for ANYONE who is 18 or older.
https://vaccineappointments.virginia.gov/reg/6512296034
Need help scheduling your appointment? Call 877-724-1954.
BY THE NUMBERS as of 10 a.m., April 29
Current 7-Day Positivity Rate PCR Only
State: 4.9%
Peninsula Health District: 5.5%
James City County: 2.6%
Statewide Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths
Cases: 658,341 (increase of 3,412 since Monday, April 26)
Hospitalizations: 28,351 (increase of 233 since Monday, April 26)
Deaths: 10,751 (increase of 45 since Monday, April 26)
James City County Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths
Cases: 4,534 (increase of 22 since Monday, April 26)
Hospitalizations: 145 (increase of 1 since Monday, April 26)
Deaths: 72 (increase of 1 since Monday, April 26)
VACCINATIONS
Statewide
Vaccine doses administered: 6,093,967 (increase of 182,276 since Monday, April 26)
People fully vaccinated: 2,550,627 (increase of 104,861 since Monday, April 26)
James City County
Vaccine doses administered: 69,083 (increase of 1,157 since Monday, April 26)
People fully vaccinated: 29,177 (increase of 669 since Monday, April 26)
LATEST NEWS ON COVID-19
OPERATION VACCINATE THE PENINSULA
Operation Vaccinate the Peninsula hosted a panel to share information on vaccines, including an update on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and discuss area clinics. They also addressed vaccine hesitancy and common misperceptions about the vaccine and its efficacy. Video: https://fb.watch/5antR7Acwd/
VACCINATE VIRGINIA – APRIL 29 UPDATE
The CDC updated its guidance on April 28 about what people can do when they are fully vaccinated (which occurs two weeks after their final vaccine dose). The new guidance no longer calls for people who are vaccinated to wear masks outdoors unless they are in crowded settings. Governor Northam will amend Executive Order 72 this afternoon to align the mask requirements with the CDC guidance. A separate change to the Executive Order will increase the limit on spectators at outdoor recreational sports events from 500 to 1,000 individuals. The amended Executive Order 72 will be posted on the Governor’s website this afternoon.
Everyone in Virginia age 16 or older is eligible to be vaccinated. Anyone who pre-registered in Phase 1 has been offered a vaccination appointment if their contact information was accurate. Everyone should continue to visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-in-VA, and the website now includes a simple address search to help everyone find the most convenient ways to get vaccinated.
With more than 6 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.
Virginia has resumed use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, following the recommendation from the CDC that the vaccine should be made available to all adults.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Updated – Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html
Updated - Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for People who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
Updated - How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations-process.html
Updated - How to Talk About COVID-19 Vaccines with Friends and Family: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/talk-about-vaccines.html
Updated - How to Talk About COVID-19 Vaccines with Friends and Family: https://youtu.be/1Mf3ZWmK1wM
Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
Updated – Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Vaccination: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
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
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
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
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