Virginia reports 1,345 new COVID-19 cases; Most Hampton Roads health districts report test percent positivity under 5%

The Virginia Department of Health released their daily updated numbers involving COVID-19 cases within the state.

According to their website, there are now 176,754 total cases, 164,308 of which are confirmed and 12,446 are probable. There are 3,616 total COVID-19 related deaths, with 3,364 being confirmed and 252 being probable. The case numbers are up by 1,345, hospitalizations are up by 64 and deaths are up by 16 since Tuesday.

A total of 2,563,313 COVID-19 PCR tests have now been given in Virginia.

Local health districts are reporting test percent positivity rates under 5%, including Chesapeake (4%), the Eastern Shore Health District (2.8%), Hampton (4%), Norfolk (4.9%), the Peninsula Health District (4.2%) and the Western Tidewater Health District (4.8%). Portsmouth is the only local area reporting a percent positivity rate above 5%, sitting at 5.1% as of Wednesday.

The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association also updated their numbers. As of Wednesday, there are 732 people currently being hospitalized, confirmed with COVID-19. There are 336 people receiving inpatient hospital care whose test results are still pending. Combined, there are a total of 1,068 being hospitalized for coronavirus related illness.

113 hospital patients, both confirmed for coronavirus, and those with test results pending, are currently on a ventilator. 814 ventilators are being used in hospitals out of the 2,917 in the state - that's 28% usage.

19,786 patients who have been hospitalized for coronavirus have been discharged.

Gov. Northam provided updates on Wednesday afternoon about the state's COVID response. He says numbers in the eastern region are not spiking, but is worried about numbers in the southwestern part of the state.

Northam cautioned about the upcoming winter and Halloween weekend. "Some favorite activities are not cut out for social distancing. Big crowds are a bad idea," he said.

Northam also addressed Election Day. So far, more than two million people have voted early in Virginia. Getting results will take longer this year. Election officials will count absentee ballots until 11 pm on Election night before resuming the count in the following days. Because mail-in ballots are accepted until noon Friday November 6, the results could change after election night.

"I just wanted to remind everyone we're looking at an election rather than an election night," he said. "That's nothing to alarmed about."

Northam also says voting will be safe and healthy on Election Day. "We want to ensure the polling places will be safe and your vote will be counted," he said.