Governor Northam's COVID-19 Briefing - 2/24/2021

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 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.

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.

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.
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.