Virginia Jan. 17 COVID-19 update: Steep rise in cases, hospitalizations appears to have hit plateau – WAVY.com

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia has seen an unprecedented spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations to record levels with the omicron surge, but that rapid rise appears to have somewhat slowed.

ICU and ventilator use have gone up since last week (to record levels), but overall total COVID hospitalizations have leveled out slightly. Cases have hovered around the 17,000-18,000 case per day mark since last Monday (though case report on weekends and Mondays tend to be lower).

Data continues to show the vast majority of those in the hospital and dying are unvaccinated. Those who are fully vaccinated have strong protection against severe symptoms, and a booster shot increases those protections even more.

Virginia has one of the best vaccination rates in the country, and more than 2 million have gotten boosters.

Statewide metrics

Local cases (additions are combined numbers from Saturday, Sunday and Monday)

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Virginia Jan. 17 COVID-19 update: Steep rise in cases, hospitalizations appears to have hit plateau - WAVY.com