Virginia Feb. 8 COVID-19 update: 1,700 new cases, 42 new deaths; CVS to start helping with vaccinations this week – WAVY.com

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia reported its lowest one-day increase in new coronavirus cases in over a month on Monday with just 1,700 total, a notable figure as Virginia sees cases trend down overall.

Reporting can typically be lower on Mondays, but Virginia is seeing a significant decrease in new cases on average. Cases are down about half on average compared to three weeks ago when Virginia saw a peak of 6,166 per day.

Still, case levels are higher than most of the pandemic, and the Virginia Department of Health also reported 42 new deaths and 2,285 current COVID-19 hospitalizations. Hospitalizations have dipped some, but deaths are still rising overall, with 49 per day on average.

Cases counts could however start to be affected by the new coronavirus variants from the U.K. and South Africa, which have been detected in Virginia. Theyre more contagious, and if virus levels overall stay high, that leaves the door open for future mutations that could become more resistant to current vaccines.

Statewide numbers

Vaccine distribution is improving in Virginia and there will be new options to get the vaccine for those eligible starting this week with CVS pharmacies.

Supply is still limited overall, but production is ramping up and there might be a new vaccine coming as early as March. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is less effective overall than the ones from Pfizer and Moderna, but health officials have emphasized its still very effective at preventing serious illness and death. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires just one dose, and 100 million doses could be distributed in the U.S. by June.

Key local metrics

Test positivity

Click here to viewmore coronavirus data from the Virginia Department of Health.

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Virginia Feb. 8 COVID-19 update: 1,700 new cases, 42 new deaths; CVS to start helping with vaccinations this week - WAVY.com