The number of active COVID-19 cases in the Roanoke region grew by another thousand over the past week.
Dr. Cynthia Morrow, director of the Roanoke City-Alleghany Health District, reported 2,929 active cases as of Tuesday morning. Last week, the figure stood at 1,925. A case is considered active when the infected person is still in the 10-day isolation period. On a weekly conference call with reporters Tuesday, Morrow described the number as "extremely high."
"As we go into another holiday week, we’re continuing to see so much activity and it's so important for all of us to continue to follow all of the strategies we’ve talked about over the last many months," Morrow said. The safest strategy for the holiday is to stay home if you can. If you are visiting friends or family, Morrow recommends keeping gatherings small with minimal intermingling of households. Travel in your own vehicle. Wear a mask, wash your hands and keep your distance.
The number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 related complications was 85 Tuesday, up from 81 the week before. Twenty-eight additional deaths were added to the district's tally over the past week, bringing the total to 211.
Eight fewer active outbreaks were reported Tuesday. Morrow said the 20 outbreaks are predominately in long-term care and congregate living settings.
Moderna Vaccine Arrives
Morrow said the first shipments of Moderna vaccine have arrived at both the health department and hospitals. Doses of the Pfizer vaccine began arriving at hospitals last week.
Morrow said the first phase of vaccinations, focused on front-line health care workers, has been running smoothly. The health department is preparing to begin vaccinating paramedics and EMTs. It will then move to other health providers like dentists.
The Centers for Disease Control recently decided that the next vaccination priority group will be people over age 75 and essential workers like teachers, police officers and grocery store workers. Morrow said the decision of when to start vaccinating the "1B" group will be made at the state level. "We do not anticipate that happening until, I would guess, the new year," Morrow said Tuesday. "And we will wait for the state to give us the green light."
