By Carol Vaughn
Five deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported on the Eastern Shore in the past month, with four of the five reported last week.
In four of the cases, the person who died was more than 80 years old.
In addition, 58 people on the Eastern Shore visited the hospital emergency department for COVID-like illness the week ending Aug. 6, and 66 went to the emergency department for COVID-like illness the week before, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Additionally, the Shore currently has five outbreaks going on in congregate settings, all of which began between two and six weeks ago, according to Richardson.
An outbreak is defined as three or more cases.
“All of the current outbreaks seem to have already peaked and are in decline,” Richardson said.
Three of the outbreaks are in nursing homes or multicare facilities, according to VDH data.
Outbreaks in progress in Accomack County as of Aug. 5 are at Commonwealth Senior Living at the Eastern Shore, reported July 22, with 14 cases; and at Riverside Shore Rehabilitation Center, reported June 30, with 39 cases.
In Northampton County, an outbreak was in progress as of Aug. 5 at The Citadel in Nassawadox, reported June 7, with 25 cases.
No deaths have been reported from these outbreaks, according to the VDH dashboard.
The vast majority of current cases on the Shore are Omicron subvariants, as has been the case since around December or January, according to Richardson.
Omicron generally results in less severe illness than previous strains, such as Delta.
Accomack County reported 840 cases in the past 13 weeks; Northampton reported 360 cases.
Still, the ready availability of home tests, including a federal program that ships tests directly to homes, likely means there are more cases than what is being reported.
“We are certain there is an under-reporting of cases but it is very difficult to ascertain just how much,” Richardson said.
With the potential for under-reporting, the health district has shifted its focus to hospitalizations and deaths, as those are easier to track accurately.
“Deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID remain low relative to earlier in the pandemic,” Richardson said.
Everyone age six months or older is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
In Accomack County, 72.7% of residents have had at least one dose of vaccine and 67.6% are fully vaccinated, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
For children ages five through 11 in Accomack, 22.4% have had at least one dose and 19.9% are fully vaccinated.
For ages 12 through 17, 56.7% have had at least one dose and 51.2% are fully vaccinated.
In Northampton County, 83.6% of residents have had at least one dose and 78.5% are fully vaccinated.
For children ages five through 11 in Northampton, 31.9% have had at least one dose and 27.5% are fully vaccinated.
