NoVA Returns To In-Person Schooling As Variants Grow More Deadly

VIRGINIA — The coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom in late 2020 is linked not only to greater risks of transmission but to a higher risk of death than other versions of the virus, according to new research by scientists.

The variant is probably 30 to 70 percent more deadly, based on a new study by the British government released Friday. The study, which assessed a larger sample size of COVID-19 patients, also found a higher rate of hospitalization, according to the New York Times

In January, scientists said the variant was likely more contagious than others. Now, the scientists believe the variant is likely linked to an increased risk of hospitalization and death.

On Friday, the Virginia Department of Health announced that another case of the U.K. variant had been identified in a sample from an adult resident of eastern Virginia with no history of travel outside of Virginia.

"A preliminary report from experts in the United Kingdom indicates that this variant causes more severe illness than other variants, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding," the VDH said.

In addition, a second case of the South Africa variant was also identified in an adult resident of eastern Virginia. At this time, there is no evidence that suggests the South Africa has any impact on disease severity, although studies show it carries a mutation that appears to make it more contagious or easy to spread.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified Virginia of both new cases that were identified at a commercial laboratory. To date, Virginia has now identified a total of six cases of the U.K. variant and two cases of the South Africa variant.

"With our surveillance efforts, it is likely that additional cases will continue to be identified," the VDH said.

CDC Issues Cautious School Reopening Guidance

The case numbers of the new variants in Virginia are increasing as some school systems in Northern Virginia prepare to resume in-person instruction this week. The counties are returning to in-classroom learning before all teachers have received their COVID-19 vaccine.

Fairfax County Public Schools is preparing to bring back its first groups of students for hybrid learning on Tuesday. The first groups to return will include students in select specialized career prep classes, preschool autism, preschool class-based students, Elementary Comprehensive Service Sites, adaptive curriculum programs, Key Center, Kilmer Center and Burke School (elementary).

In Loudoun County, nearly 15,000 elementary school students are returning to in-person learning on Tuesday. Their parents chose the hybrid learning model, which includes two-days of in-person learning a week, as well as a couple of days of virtual learning.

In guidelines released Friday, the CDC recommended full in-person schooling only when levels of community transmission are at a certain low level, a standard that few districts in the nation meet today. If community spread remains substantial, the CDC recommends either fully remote or hybrid plans, where students spend some time in school and some at home.

Teachers expressed relief that the CDC did not recommend that all schools were safe to return to full-time in-person instruction.

“The CDC met fear of the pandemic with facts and evidence,” said a statement Friday from Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “For the first time since the start of this pandemic, we have a rigorous road map, based on science, that our members can use to fight for a safe reopening.”

COVID-19 Data

On Monday, 1,539 new coronavirus cases were reported in Virginia, and the seven-day average is 2,959 daily cases. Northern Virginia had 359 new cases and a seven-day average of 798. Cumulative cases to date across the state stand at 551,538, according to the VDH.

There were four new deaths reported on Monday, bringing the cumulative total to 7,016 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

Current hospitalizations fell from 1,904 to 1,831 on Monday. Current patients include 398 in the intensive care units and 251 on ventilators. Northern Virginia has 288 current patients.

According to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, ICU occupancy among all hospital patients is at 77 percent, and ventilator use is at 33 percent.

The statewide seven-day average of positive PCR tests is 9.3 percent as of Feb. 11, and Northern Virginia's average is 8.5 percent. The state is averaging 24,595 PCR testing encounters per day, which is down from a peak average of 35,023 testing encounters on Jan. 14.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Sunday to Monday:

• Alexandria: 10,006 cases, 496 hospitalizations, 104 deaths; increase of 21 cases
• Arlington County: 12,611 cases, 749 hospitalizations, 209 deaths; increase of 22 cases and two hospitalizations
• Fairfax County: 63,965 cases, 3,419 hospitalizations, 829 deaths; increase of 165 cases and four hospitalizations
• Fairfax City: 464 cases, 35 hospitalizations, 12 deaths; increase of three cases
• Falls Church: 327 cases, 20 hospitalizations, seven deaths; no changes
• Loudoun County: 22,246 cases, 815 hospitalizations, 193 deaths; increase of 60 cases
• Manassas: 3,922 cases, 157 hospitalizations, 33 deaths; increase of three cases
• Manassas Park: 1,106 cases, 66 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of two cases
• Prince William County: 37,969 cases, 1,353 hospitalizations, 327 deaths; increase of 83 cases and one hospitalization
• Fredericksburg: 1,705 cases, 90 hospitalizations, 14 deaths; increase of four cases
• Spotsylvania County: 7,935 cases, 258 hospitalizations, 88 deaths; increase of 15 cases
• Stafford County: 9,159 cases, 297 hospitalizations, 54 deaths; increase of 19 cases