High COVID-19 Community Spread Across All Of Virginia: CDC

VIRGINIA — Nearly all of Virginia is now experiencing the highest rate of spread of the coronavirus, according to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control.

In Northern Virginia, only the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax, which had transmission rates of substantial and moderate, respectively, have reported transmission levels below the CDC's highest ranking. That determination is based on the positivity rates in those areas during Aug. 17-24 compared to the rates posted during the previous 7-day period.

The only other jurisdiction in the state to post a less than high rate of transmission is Highland County, which is located in the Shenandoah Mountains on the border of West Virginia. During the most recent 7-day period, it experienced substantial community spread of COVID-19.

Just a few days ago, Arlington and Prince William counties were the only Northern Virginia jurisdictions experiencing the highest level of community spread. But, health departments in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Clarke counties reported high levels of transmission over the most recent 7-day period, according to the CDC.

On Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 3,454 new COVID-19 cases in Virginia, which is the most new cases reported in a single day since Feb. 11. In addition, there were 129 new hospitalizations and 22 new deaths related to COVID-19.

In Virginia, 9,843,546 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. A total of 5,404,175 people in the state or 63.3 percent have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 4,781,159 people are fully vaccinated, which accounts for 75.4. percent of the population 18 and over.

CDC ranks Virginia's overall level of community transmission high with 18,216 cases of COVID-19 over the last 7-day period. Of those cases, 2,473 were new. Virginia's 7-day positivity rate was between 10-14.9 percent and there were 68 deaths due to COVID-19 during that time.

Read more: Masks Required At All Virginia Schools: Northam

The CDC says fully vaccinated people should wear masks indoors in public if they live in an area with "substantial" or "high" transmission of the virus. That includes all jurisdictions in Virginia, except for Fairfax City with its moderate transmission rate.

Gov. Ralph Northam already announced all Virginia schoolchildren, teachers and staff will start off the school year wearing masks every day.

The CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Students in Fairfax County Public Schools returned to their classrooms on Monday with a universal mask mandate in place.

Those who aren't fully vaccinated are urged to wear masks in public no matter what the level of transmission is, according to the CDC.