See below for graphics of the newly posted COVID-19 numbers by the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. So, at this point (5/1), in Virginia we’re at 16,901 total reported – confirmed plus probable – cases (note that actual cases, as well as deaths, could be higher, maybe even a LOT higher, based on stories like this one in the NY Times), 2,416 hospitalizations and 581 deaths from COVID-19. The number of reported cases went up 1,055 (+6.7%) in the latest statistics, which is a faster rate of increase than the day before, when reported cases were up 885 (+5.9%), and also the largest single-day increase in confirmed cases since the pandemic began. Also note, though, that the number of new COVID-19 test results SKYROCKETED yesterday, to 14,805, from 5,536 the day before and just 2,554 the day before that. Not sure what the deal is there. As for hospitalizations, they went up 94 (+4.0%), from 2,322 to 2,416 which is a faster rate of increase than the previous day (which was up 63, or +2.8%). Deaths are reported up 29 (from 552 to 581), compared to an increase of 30 (from 522 to 552) the previous day. By the way, note the discrepancy between the VHHA and VDH hospitalization numbers, with VHHA showing a significant *decline* – from 1,550 to 1,431 in one day! – while VDH still has them going up. Again, not sure what the deal is there.
Anyway, overall…mixed and somewhat confusing stats today, but still not a sign – other than, perhaps, the encouraging hospitalization numbers from VHHA – that Virginia is ready to “reopen” yet. Other than that, though, numbers keep going up, when what we really need is to start to see *decreases*, for a change. Hopefully we’ll start to see that in coming days/weeks if we keep up the social distancing and other measures. We’ll see.
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