Augusta Health: COVID positivity rate near 40% in Staunton, Augusta County, Waynesboro

STAUNTON — A very high level of COVID-19 activity in the community and at Augusta Health continues, according to an update from the hospital system.

Augusta Health's testing positivity rate for the week of Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 was 39.3%. Current inpatient COVID-19 census is 33, with seven deaths over the past week.

In the last day, 47 new positive cases of COVID were diagnosed at Augusta Health testing sites. The past week has been and up and down, the hospital reported, with positive cases ranging from a low of 43 on Feb. 1 to a high of 98 on Feb. 2.

On Tuesday, Feb. 8, 36 Augusta Health employees are absent with illness.

Augusta Health continues to pivot its clinical COVID focus to aggressive outpatient management. In addition to the significant vaccination efforts, Augusta Health is treating infected patients who meet criteria with Monoclonal Antibody infusions (MABS) when supplies are available. MABS infusion follows a positive COVID test and a physician referral.

Last week, Augusta Health infused 55 patients for a total of 1,128 patients since the clinic was opened. Less than 5% of those who receive a MABS infusion need to be admitted to the hospital later. Augusta Health has 100 doses this week, the update said.

"Please vaccinate, wear masks indoors even if vaccinated, wash hands frequently and stay socially distant from others when possible. Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce spread of COVID and to protect yourself from severe COVID that requires hospitalization."

Vaccination eligibility

Augusta Health is vaccinating everyone age 5 and older who lives, works or goes to school in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for individuals age 18 and over.

Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals age 5 and older; a parent or legal guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of those under the age of 18.

Additionally, booster criteria have been updated today to accommodate a fourth dose for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Eligibility varies by vaccine, so please be aware of the criteria changes and updates for the vaccine selected.

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Children 5- to 11-years-old

To ensure patient safety and in awareness of the different dosage for the 5-11 year old age group, there are separate clinics for ages 5-11 only at the on-campus location. A parent or legal guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of minors.

If you have questions about eligibility, please call Augusta Health’s Vaccination Call Center at 540.332.5122.

Please bring your COVID Vaccination Record Card to the booster appointment.

Vaccinations in Primary Care Offices

Vaccinations for COVID-19 continue in all Augusta Medical Group primary care offices. Patients who prefer to receive a vaccination from their personal physician should contact their doctor’s office to be scheduled into the next available vaccination appointment block.

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Community-based clinics

This week, Augusta Health’s Community Vaccination Team will be providing vaccines at Craigsville Elementary School, Waynesboro City Schools, Grandview Estates, Valley Mission, Bridgewater College and Ritenour Rest Home.

To date, more than 10,000 vaccines have been administered at clinics within vulnerable communities by the Augusta Health Task Force. Community organizations that would like to partner with Augusta Health for a Vaccination Clinic can contact VaccinationTaskForce@augustahealth.com for more information on the requirements.

Large on-campus Vaccination Clinics

Please make an appointment for on-campus clinics.

Go to vaccinate.augustahealth.com to view the links and schedule an appointment. Information about new clinics, the links and the criteria for each link, are posted as available. On-campus clinics this week are:

Wednesday, Feb. 9: Moderna and Johnson & Johnson clinics from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for those age 18 and older.

For first dose, second dose and booster dose available to those age 18 and older. Please verify criteria before registration.

Thursday, Feb. 10: Pfizer clinic for children 5-11 only from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A parent or guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of minors.

Friday, Feb.11: Pfizer clinic from 9 a.m. to noon for those age 12 and older.

For first dose and second dose available to those age 12 and older, booster dose available to those age 16 and older. A parent or guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of a child under the age of 18. Please verify criteria before registration.

Remember to bring your vaccine records card. Appointments for all clinics can be made at vaccinate.augustahealth.com.

— Monique Calello (she/her) has been a journalist with The News Leader/USA TODAY Network since she made the Shenandoah Valley her home almost 10 years ago. Have a good feature or story tip? Questions? You can reach her at mcalello@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @moniquecalello.

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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta Health: COVID positivity rate at 40% in Shenandoah Valley