The number of new COVID-19 infections in the Roanoke City-Alleghany Health District held steady over the past week.
Dr. Cynthia Morrow says there were 923 new infections over the last week. That’s nine less than the number reported by the district last week.
Hospitalizations remained flat, too.
Morrow was optimistic during Tuesday’s update:
“We do still have very high levels of COVID-19 activity in our community," Morrow said. "We believe that we’re going to start seeing some significant decreases in the next few weeks. As exhausted as all of us are with this pandemic – we just need to continue to do what we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Morrow also said vaccination rates have been pretty steady, too. 1,500 doses were administered over the last week.
Health Officials Provide Guidance on Halloween Activities
Halloween is right around the corner – and parents may be wondering if trick or treating is safe in the middle of a pandemic.
Dr. Noelle Bissell with the New River Health District provides some guidance:
“Outdoor trick-or-treating, outdoor gatherings are safe; we know that, the data supports that. We just have to watch the carpooling between neighborhoods or going to parties and things," Bissell explains. "Make sure we have good ventilation and if people from multiple households are together, put the masks on.”
And the fall also marks the beginning of flu season – which Bissell says will be more prevalent this year compared to last. She says now is the time to go ahead and get you flu shot.
