Governor Northam's COVID-19 Briefing - 2/24/2021
FORWARD VIRGINIA
- The numbers of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are decreasing in each region across Virginia
- However, the Tidewater area is still experiencing a higher number of new cases than the rest of the state.
- This week, the 7 day moving average of percent positivity decreased 48% from the apparent peak last week.
- Starting this Monday, March 1, some of the mitigation strategies and restrictions put in place will be decreased.
- Alcohol sales will be permitted until 12:00AM, extended from 10:00PM.
- The modified Stay-at-Home order will be lifted, removing the nightly curfew.
- Outdoor social gatherings can have up to 25 people.
- Outdoor entertainment venues will be able to operate at 30% capacity, with a cap of 1,000 people total.
VACCINE LOGISTICS
- Vaccine shipments were delayed in the past week due to winter storms in Virginia and across the country, but are expected to catch up this week.
VACCINE REGISTRATION: vaccinate.virginia.gov
- The new, statewide pre-registration system has continued to operate successfully, both online and through the call center.
- 1.7 million Virginians have been pre-registered thus far.
- This week, call center workers have begun calling people that are in the pre-registration system, to help schedule appointments at Walmart and Giant pharmacies.
- The VDH and local health districts are hoping to expand the partnership between the VDH registration system, and the pharmacies.
- This will allow for those registered through health districts and the VDH to be vaccinated at pharmacies.
- The VDH and local health districts are hoping to expand the partnership between the VDH registration system, and the pharmacies.
VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
- 1.1 million doses have been administered, with an average of 35,000 shots being given per day.
- 13.5% of the statewide population has received their first dose.
- The Biden administration has increased the number of vaccine doses allocated to the states.
- The number of doses allocated to the federal pharmacy partnership program has also been increased.
- This means that more pharmacy locations, as well as more companies, including locally owned pharmacies, will be able to start holding vaccination clinics.
- The number of doses allocated to the federal pharmacy partnership program has also been increased.
- Walmart announced this week that they will be administering the doses that they will receive through the federal program through vaccine clinics in communities.
- Clinics operated by Walmart will not be held in their stores, but within their respective communities, allowing for the clinic locations to move each week based on need.
- Pharmacies will continue to prioritize Virginians that are aged 65 and over.
COVID-19 CASES, STATISTICS AND MODELING
- Total cases: 568,946
- New in the last 24 hours: 1,907
- Total deaths: 7,807