With some local CVS pharmacies now offering COVID-19 vaccinations, people in Central Virginia will have more opportunities to get a dose amid short supply and systems that have proven frustrating for many wanting to be immunized.
The Central Virginia Health District, made up of Lynchburg and the surrounding counties, started offering vaccines to people 65 years old and older, certain essential workers and adults with certain underlying conditions three weeks ago when it entered Phase 1b of vaccination rollout.
At the time, health officials said they were expecting to receive about 3,050 doses from the state per week based on the districtâs population until about the end of February. With more than 50,000 people in the district aged 65 and older and still more qualifying as essential workers, thereâs been a heavy imbalance in demand, and officials conducting vaccine clinics and planning for large-scale future rollout have consistently urged patience.
This morning, Centra Medical Group Nationwide vaccinated its first patient in Phase 1b of vaccine rollout in Virginia, which went into effect Jan. 18 in the Pittsylvania-Danville and Southside Health Districts.
The Lynchburg-based hospital system with a prominent community hospital in Gretna vaccinated Mrs. Irene Devine, an elderly woman with ample reason in wishing to arm herself against COVID-19. My husband died of COVID, and then I contracted it, Devine said. I just believe in the science of it. I have a daughter that s a scientist and she thinks it s great. I have another daughter who s a nurse and she thinks it s great. And my son is a doctor and he s already had his. So those are all good reasons, I think.
Centra officials: good news and bad news on the COVID front
Centra health officials say there’s good news and bad news when it comes to local COVID-19 numbers. There are currently fewer COVID-19 patients at Lynchburg General hospital: 92 positive patients in the hospital, down from 133 patients a week ago. The bad news is they’ve seen more deaths from COVID, including 10 since Monday. Centra’s Dr. Andrew Mueller says they expect the numbers to rise again:
Meanwhile, officials say they’ve vaccinated more than 9000 healthcare workers – both at Centra and private providers as well. Centra Transformation officer Michael Elliott says today they will begin vaccinating patients within the Centra Medical Group primary care offices.