VA: COVID-19 Spread Continues at High Levels Across Metro Richmond

[appalachiablue]

NBC12, Jan. 8, 2023.

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The COVID-19 virus is on the rise across the Richmond Metro region. Most counties in our area are hitting the highest level of community spread on the CDC’s COVID data tracker. Case numbers have risen to about 160 over the past week in the city alone.

“The reason why Richmond specifically is at a high level this week is because those hospitalization rates did go up so yes it is definitely is something we are concerned about,” explained Elaine Perry who serves as the Director for the Richmond-Henrico Health District. Despite the increase in spread, the Richmond-Henrico Health District says we don’t need to be too worried yet. Community spread is still at a lower rate than it was in years past.

“At this time last year we were not using the CDC community levels that was something that was instituted more over the summer and so we were looking at things in slightly different ways but trying to look back just overall in terms of the cases and hospitalizations were not as high the hospitalization is not as bad as it was this time last year,” Perry said. But they warn things could get worse this winter.

“It’s too soon to tell if this winter is going to be like last winter and we hope not. One of the things that is very important to remember is that we do have good we have safe effective vaccines for COVID-19 and we don’t have those for all respiratory viruses,” Perry stated. The health department is urging people to do everything they can to cut down on the spreading of the virus. The CDC recommends everyone wear a mask when the community level of COVID-19 is high among other preventative measures...

https://www.nbc12.com/2023/01/08/covid-19-spread-continues-high-levels-across-metro-richmond/

[underpants]

1. I've seen a remarkable number of people in masks recently.

More than the little that I ventured out during the holidays. Yesterday at Ollie’s and Lowe’s. A noticeable number. No I didn’t have one on but I am very aware of distance, short interactions, and hand sanitization.

[kimbutgar]

2. Isn't Richmond a red part of Virginia?

[appalachiablue]

3. Politics of Richmond (Dem) and Virginia:

(Wiki). The politics of Virginia have followed major historical events and demographic changes in the commonwealth. In the 21st century, the northern region has become more liberal in attitudes and voting, constituting a reliable voting bloc for Democrats and joining with population centers in the * Richmond Metropolitan and Hampton Roads areas to dominate the state.

Political orientation varies by region, with the larger cities and suburban areas generally voting Democratic and the rural areas voting Republican. The southern, rural regions have remained rural and conservative. Until 2021when the GOP swept all state-wide offices, Virginia was shifting more Democratic and now is considered a swing-state again by most pundits..

Regional differences play a large part in Virginia politics. Rural southern and western areas moved to support the Republican Party in response to its "southern strategy", while urban and growing suburban areas, including much of Northern Virginia and recently, * Richmond form the Democratic Party base in response to their "Identity politics strategy". Democratic support also persists in union-influenced Roanoke in Southwest Virginia, college towns such as Charlottesville and Blacksburg, and the southeastern Black Belt Region. Enfranchisement and immigration of other groups, especially Hispanics, have placed growing importance on minority voting,...https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Virginia

[kimbutgar]

6. Thank you

About 8 years ago we took our son to Colonial Williamsburg. We drove from Dulles down to Williamsburg stopping in Richmond. I remember seeing a lot of religious pro Republican signs
( this was pre TFG) Driving back to DC we didn’t take the main road but a side road that ran parallel with main highway( suggested by a ride operator at the Busch amusement park. ) I never saw so many churches and the only radio we could get were Christian stations, as we got closer to DC we finally got some rock music. But it was an eye opener for us seeing that area littered with so many religious crosses and Jesus saves signs.

[jimfields33]

7. I guess if you consider 83 percent voting democratic red.

https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2022%20November%20General/Site/Locality/RICHMOND_CITY/Index.html

[kimbutgar]

8. Cool smart area of Virginia

Do you think repukes will be able to take the late reps seat?

[jimfields33]

9. Nope.

[appalachiablue]

10. Thank you for posting the reality.

[Diamond_Dog]

4. My area is supposedly ranked "high transmission" as well

Yet I see very few, if any, masks in stores.

My best friend told me her doctor’s office doesn’t even require them.

[appalachiablue]

5. IK, the lack of masks is prominent in many areas & dangerous as hell. People

are slacking off, not reading good news and becoming complacent... Wrong! This fight is long from over.

For 2 years, f&f in several states have mentioned doctors and staff that don't wear masks. One Dr in PA told a friend last year, 'you don't need that.'