Henrico reports 233 new COVID cases Tuesday

Henrico County reported its lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in four days Tuesday, but the total of 233 still was its fifth-highest single-day count during the pandemic. The county also reported three new deaths and three new hospitalizations related to the virus Tuesday.

The county’s seven-day average number of new daily cases rose to 237.

Virginia Department of Health data shows that PCR and rapid testing in Henrico continued to hover around the 2,500-per-day mark during the most recent week on record (Jan. 9-15).

During that same week, Henrico’s seven-day positivity percentage among PCR testing encounters dropped to 11.2% PCR, continuing to trend downward from its post-April peak of 15.4% Jan. 6. Its rate during the same timeframe among rapid tests fell to 8.9%.

But, neither rate yet reflects the positive tests from the past four days, during which the county’s case counts have exploded to record highs. A total of 1,165 positive test results have been reported since Saturday, and those may push the positivity percentages higher again in the coming days, unless the total number of tests given during those days also was significantly higher than normal.

As of this Tuesday, Henrico was experiencing eight active outbreaks, according to the VDH – one in a healthcare setting, three in long-term care facilities, and four in congregate settings. This brings Henrico to a total of 141 outbreaks since the pandemic has begun.

– Madyson Fitzgerald contributed to this article