On May 14th, when Governor Northam’s mask mandate was rescinded, Virginia’s seven-day average for deaths of people with traces of COVID-19 was about 16. As of August 5th, the seven-day average is about 3. To say it another way – it has fallen about 82% since the first mask mandate was rescinded. Here in Prince William County, the seven-day average for deaths from people with traces of COVID-19 is 0.

Although cases are rising due to the increased infectiousness of the (B.1.617.2) Delta variant of COVID-19, both deaths and hospitalizations remain lower than in months previous.

Restrictions were first put in place last year with the stated goal of preventing hospitals from exceeding capacity. Currently, there are about 10% less hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients now than there were when Governor Northam rescinded his mask mandate May 14th. In Prince William County, COVID-19 related hospitalizations per 100,000 residents remains at less than 1.

The reason for the lack of correlation between cases and severe illness is due to the number of Virginians who now have immunity to the virus. According to the National Institutes of Health, the hundreds of thousands of Virginians who have been infected now have lasting immunity after recovery from COVID-19. This population, combined with the over 5.2 million Virginians who have been vaccinated, are all unlikely to have a symptomatic case or get seriously ill from contracting COVID-19.

You can view current Virginia COVID-19 statistic on the Department of Health’s website.

– Coles District Staff