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While Covid cases and hospitalizations are on the rise across Virginia, hospitals within the Central Shenandoah Health District are not being overwhelmed, or even disrupted by cases.
“We’re in a much better place than this time last year,” said Dr. Elaine Perry, acting director of the Central Shenandoah Health District. “Overall community levels are still low.”
Cases have been on a steady rise across the health district since early July. According to the Virginia Department of Health, the seven-day average for cases on July 6 was 1.71, but the average had risen to 40.6 cases on Sept. 2. In the few days since, the number has begun to trend downward, with the sevenday average currently at 37.5 cases as of Sept. 5.
In Rockbridge County, 71 new cases have been reported in the past 13 weeks, with Lexington and Buena Vista reporting just over 20 cases apiece (24 in Lexington, 21 in Buena Vista). There has also been one Covid-related death reported within the county in that time.
“We continue to monitor Covid and its seasonality in our region,” said Greg Madsen, vice president of the Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital. “Like any type of illness, it’s not unusual for us to spool up or down resources based on community needs. Similar to our approach throughout the pandemic, we defer to VDH for the most accurate picture of Covid numbers for our region.
“Anecdotally, we have seen a slight uptick at the system level in Covid admissions, but it has not disrupted regular operations,” he added.
The current recommendation from the U.S. Center for Disease Control for anyone who feels sick is to take a test if symptoms persist after five days, and to remain home from work or school in the meantime, isolating and masking around other people when necessary. After five days, if a test is negative and symptoms have dissipated, you can return to work or school.
Dr. Perry also noted that a new vaccine booster will be available in the near future, likely by mid-September to combat the latest variants. She also said that anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated or hasn’t received a booster can still do so.
Area schools have reported few Covid cases since they welcomed students back three weeks ago. As of Friday, Buena Vista has had six cases across all its schools, and Rockbridge County has reported four. Lexington schools are not currently monitoring case numbers, though they are “watching for outbreaks,” according to Jason White, director of operations and student services.
All three districts still have protocols in place to keep any cases they do see from spreading.
Buena Vista is maintaining its increased cleaning schedule, said Superintendent Tony Francis.
“We are still doing the electrostatic spraying and we have air purifiers in all of our classes. We also have the air purifiers in common areas such as the cafeterias and gyms,” he told The News-Gazette.
Rockbridge students are asked to isolate for five days if they test positive, longer if symptoms persist.
“RCPS is following guidance from the CDC asking those who test positive to isolate for five days. They may return after day five if their symptoms have improved and they are feverfree for 24 hours without medication,” Rockbridge Superintendent Phillip Thompson explained. “We will recommend wearing a mask for days 6-10. If the student or staff member has not improved and symptoms are more severe, they will isolate for the entire 10 days.”
Lexington students are also advised not to come to school if they feel unwell.
“We continue with best hygiene practices, such as hand washing/sanitizing, and not sharing of materials,” said White. “We also continue to work with families on keeping children at home when they are sick.”
(Editor’s note: Anneliese Schneider contributed information for this story.)
