Richmond grapples with low COVID-19 vaccination rates

RICHMOND, Virginia (WWBT) – In the city of Richmond, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have increased in the past two weeks, but the vaccination rate is not moving much, it is still below 50%. Between convincing vaccine skeptics and preparing for a booster, Richmond health officials have their plates full.

“Now we are in public, our children are with us so now we are seeing a lot of pediatric infections,” said Dr Melissa Viray, Richmond – Henrico Health Districts.

The health district, covering Richmond and Henrico, mourns the loss of a child under 10 to COVID-19. Authorities said the child died this month.

“We are reminded that some of the consequences of COVID can affect even our, even our youngest, even our children. It is extremely important that we do this because our children cannot be vaccinated when they are under 12, that we who can be vaccinated do whatever we can in the community, ”said Dr Viray .

The health department is working with Richmond Public Schools to contain cases of COVID in the classroom. With only summer school underway, the division felt the effects of the virus, having to quarantine dozens of students and staff. Dr Viray says every outbreak is different and they monitor things on a daily basis.

“It’s hard to define a firm set of boundaries, especially because it depends a lot on individual circumstances,” Dr Viray said.

Starting in September, the health districts of Richmond – Henrico will add continuous and smaller vaccination clinics at four locations. One is in the city center of the city health department, the other is at the Henrico West clinic. Two more will be added, a south side and one in the east of Henrico, pending location logistics.

Meanwhile, the positivity rate in the city is almost 12%. There has been a 67% increase in cases and hospitalizations have more than doubled in the past two weeks.

January was the worst month for COVID here in Richmond across the board with cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The city is not there yet, but the data is getting closer and closer every day.

Copyright 2021 WWBT. All rights reserved.

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