Holsworth: Nov. 25, 2020, Virginia Covid-19 Update

By Dr. Bob Holsworth

Editor’s note: Bearing Drift is grateful to Dr. Bob Holsworth for permission to share his daily Virginia coronavirus updates. For more, follow him on Facebook.

NOVEMBER 25, COVID-19 UPDATE

1. Hospitalizations Up

In my last post on November 17th, there were 1392 COVID-19 patients in hospitals. Today, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) reported 1549 COVID patients in hospitals. This is the largest number of patients in hospitals since May 9.

There are 361 COVID-19 patients in ICUs, the largest number since May 31st.

Statewide, ICU beds are at 76% of capacity and, if Virginia’s potential surge capacity is considered, the percentage declines to 51%. Relatively speaking, Virginia is currently in a much better position than several other states. Yet statewide capacity does not always mean the individual hospitals are not under significant stress.

2. Record High Case Numbers

Since my last post, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has reported record number of cases, ranging from 1954 on November 19, to 3242 on November 23. Put simply, the daily case counts have doubled and, on some days, tripled where we were a month ago.

Cases in the major metros have gone up significantly, especially in NOVA and greater RVA; we’ve seen long-care facilities in Roanoke come under tremendous stress; and, in Culpeper, a correctional facility has reported more than one third of their 900 prisoners infected.

Test positivity that had declined to 4.6% is now up to 7.5%.

3. A Year From Now …

… we should be celebrating a relatively normal Thanksgiving and subsequent holiday season. I’m very fortunate that even this year I have much for which I’m extremely grateful.

I’m also continually amazed by the spirit of the nurses, doctors, medical personnel, first responders, essential workers, non-profit organizations, food bank volunteers, and all the others assisting the individuals and families that have been impacted by the virus.

Ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things every day.

In this vein, I watched an interview the other evening with an individual who happened to be a veteran in a food bank line for the first time in his life. He noted that as soon as he gets back to work, he’d be volunteering his time to help others less fortunate.

It’s Americans like this who puts me and most of us to shame.

In the past couple of days, I’ve done a set of interviews with reporters about whether the 2021 General Assembly session in Virginia should be limited, as some have advocated, to 30 rather than 45 days because the special session called by the Governor has just recently been completed.

As if this is a serious matter to any Virginian.

The focus shouldn’t be on the length of the session, but on honoring the spirit of the veteran who longs to get back volunteering and all the others who are working to keep us alive as we cross the bridge to the vaccine.

Instead of being concerned about how long the legislature should work, perhaps the focus could be on addressing the real life consequences of the pandemic.

How can Virginia best assist the individuals, families, and businesses that have borne the brunt of the virus’ economic consequences?

How do we intend to identify the educational consequences of the pandemic for Virginia’s children and develop a plan to rectify the negative impacts?

And how will we monitor the vaccination program in the Commonwealth to ensure that it is timely, effective, and reaches our most vulnerable populations?

The consequences of the pandemic have been devastating for far too many people and families. And I’m very worried that the next few months could be even worse. But I’m extraordinarily grateful for the Virginians who have spent the past nine months doing all they can to lessen the impact for the rest of us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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