COVID-19 infection rates are declining but Virginia’s highest infection rates are still west of the Blue Ridge, according to an analysis of federal data by The Daily Yonder, a website that covers rural issues. The nine highest localities, and 10 of the top 11, are all west of the Blue Ridge. The only exception is Westmoreland County on the Northern Neck.
For the week ending Oct. 23, the highest infection rate in the state was in Bath County, although the rate was unchanged from the week before. Here are the highest infection rates in Virginia for the week ending Oct. 23 as measured on a rate per 100,000:
- Bath County 554.6, unchanged from week before
- Scott County 496.2, down from 542.5
- Norton 401.9, down from 427.0
- Wise County 398.6, down from 438.7
- Salem 339.9, down from 458.5
- Lee County 337.3, up from 286.0
- Shenandoah County 334.7, down from 433.3
- Smyth County 332.2, down from 614.5
- Giles County 317.0, down from 334.9
- Westmoreland County 299.8, unchanged
- Carroll County 298.8, down from 365.9
These are the localities with the lowest infection rates:
- Manassas Park 11.4, unchanged
- Emporia 18.7, down from 224.5
- Fairfax (city) 25.0, up from 20.8
- Winchester 53.4, down from 135.3
- Charles City County 57.5, down from 244.2
- Middlesex County 66.2, down from 160.7
- Lancaster County 66.0, down from 90.6
- Arlington County 77.7, down from 92.5
- Mathews County 79.2, down from 90.6
- Manassas 80.3, down from 185.0
- Alexandria 80.9, down from 106.0
- Loudoun County 80.8, down from 87.3
- Fairfax County 81.2, up from 79.2
- Virginia Beach 87.6, down from 132.7
- Norfolk 97.6, down from 142.1
Generally speaking, the highest infection rates are in the parts of the state with the lowest vaccination rates. You can find more recent data, and vaccination rates, on the Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard.