COVID case counts have been falling. Restrictions have been removed, and the public health emergency is winding down. The COVID vaccine campaign has been a huge success.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Rappahannock Cellars in March 2020, owner John Delmare initially thought the worst. 

“I chose to get the vaccine because I don’t want to get sick.” “I got vaccinated for my grandchildren.”

New COVID-19 cases in Virginia and Northern Virginia have more than doubled in the past month and are now at their highest levels since late May, according to new data from the Virginia Department of Health.

The Rappahannock Food Pantry will hold a walk-in vaccine clinic from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesday (July 13). The Pantry is located at 11763 Lee Highway in Sperryville. For more information call the Pantry at (540) 987-5090. Vaccinations are free of charge.

New COVID-19 cases in Virginia are at their highest level in a month, while Northern Virginia's cases have ticked up this week as well, according to new data from the Virginia Department of Health.

Virginia's COVID-19 state of emergency officially ended this week after 15 1/2 months, but the number of new cases of the virus statewide is actually on the rise again, as vaccinations slow significantly.

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District (RRHD) will close the doors on the Germanna Community College mass vaccination site on June 24. 

As the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations slows and variants continue to spread, the decline in new cases across Virginia and Northern Virginia has slowed over the past week, according to new data from the Virginia Department of the Health.

Virginia has met President Joe Biden's COVID-19 vaccination goal, almost two weeks before the July 4 target date. 

A Friday afternoon news release from the Rappahannock Office of Emergency Management:

All measures of hospitalizations for COVID-19 treatment fell to record lows Friday as the number of new cases reported both statewide and in Northern Virginia remains the fewest since the early days of the pandemic.

A week after Virginia ended its COVID-19 restrictions, the number of new cases of the virus continues to plummet both in Northern Virginia and statewide. 

Though their school year officially ends this week, a larger than usual number of the county’s public school students will be returning to classrooms after Memorial Day.

We check in with the local health director

Our COVID-19 coverage blog

Virginia is 343,000 first doses away from having 70% of adults vaccinated, but herd immunity may not be possible without immunizing more young people, according to the state's vaccination coordinator, Dr. Danny Avula.

In collaboration with local government, the Virginia Department of Health will host its first walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Rappahannock County at the elementary school on Tuesday, May 25 from 1 to 6 p.m. The clinic will provide first doses of the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 12 and older who wants one.

FDA approves vaccine for use in adolescents ages 12 and older

Virginia is ending its universal mask mandate and will lift all COVID-19 mitigation restrictions on May 28, two weeks earlier than planned, Gov. Ralph Northam announced late Friday afternoon.

The Virginia Department of Health announced Wednesday that providers across the state can begin vaccinating those aged 12 to 15 following federal approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in adolescents.

As the heavy initial demand for coronavirus vaccines has weaned, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District is making it easier for area residents to get shots by launching walk-in vaccinations.

Hospitalizations for treatment of COVID-19 are at their lowest levels in Virginia and Northern Virginia since the information began being reported early last April, as case counts are at their lowest levels since last summer, according to new data released Monday.

Virginia and Northern Virginia each reported their fewest number of new COVID-19 cases this week since early October as the state looks toward a full reopening in mid-June.

Veterans who lost their jobs due to the pandemic can apply to the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Virginia will lift its COVID-19 restrictions on June 15 if case numbers continue to decline and vaccination numbers continue to rise, Gov. Ralph Northam said Thursday. 

The number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations for treatment of the virus continue to fall dramatically in Virginia and Northern Virginia, with hospitalizations nearing their lowest levels ever. 

RICHMOND — Virginia colleges are beginning to announce mandatory fall COVID-19 vaccine policies following the state attorney general's opinion that higher education institutes can require the vaccine. 

This past weekend, my wife and I hugged our oldest daughter for the first time in over a year. Afterwards, we ate lunch and enjoyed a delightful visit with her and her gentleman friend, holding hands while saying Grace, freely passing food, and sharing smiling faces with NO MASKS. The reason…

Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday amended Virginia's mask mandate, saying those who are vaccinated don't have to mask up outdoors alone or in small gatherings.Mask use is still required indoors, and outdoors at large crowded events like concerts, sporting events, and graduation ceremonies. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine.

Five students test positive for COVID-19 in two weeks

RICHMOND — College graduations will still look different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but more Virginia universities are returning to in-person ceremonies.

Northern Virginia has passed a landmark in its fight against COVID-19 as the average number of daily cases and hospitalizations are both below the levels they were exactly one year ago.

As of this week, all Virginians ages 16 and up are eligible to sign up for a vaccine. “We estimate at least three million Virginians will become eligible on Sunday [April 18] and it may take a few weeks to get appointments for everyone,” said Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. “ Working with our partners in local health districts, private pharmacy chains, doctor’s offices and others, I am confident that every adult in Virginia who wants the vaccine can get their shot by the end of May.”

Virginia has moved to Phase 2 for COVID-19 vaccinations.  All residents age 16 and older (Pfizer) and 18 and older (Moderna) are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

Rappahannock County Public Schools informed families on Thursday that a high school student has tested positive for COVID-19. According to the letter sent home to parents and guardians, the student was last at school on Tuesday, April 20. All individuals who were exposed to the positive stud…

Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday announced that sports and entertainment venues in Virginia may begin to operate with expanded capacity, and social gathering limits will increase beginning Saturday, May 15.

RICHMOND — Virginia universities plan a return to campuses in the fall, but there are questions if the COVID-19 vaccine can be mandated. 

A decline in new COVID-19 cases over the past few days has brought the averages in Virginia and Northern Virginia down to their lowest levels in over a month, according to new data Tuesday from the Virginia Department of Health. 

All Virginians age 16 and older will be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine starting Sunday, April 18.

Virginia health officials say a woman who died a few weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is among six cases nationwide that prompted a pause in use of the one-dose shots.