Virginia Reports Nearly 6,500 New COVID-19 Cases, Among Highest Yet

The COVID-19 uptick continues in Virginia: On Thursday, nearly 6,500 new cases of the virus were reported.

That’s one of Virginia's largest one-day jumps in cases since the pandemic began.

Virginia has only reported more than 6,000 cases in a day a few times, and it hasn't happened since January 2021, according to Virginia Department of Health data.

A total of 6,473 cases were reported Thursday, including 2,906  within the Northern Virginia region.

It also tops the number of cases counted on Wednesday, 5,972.

The seven-day average of new cases diagnosed has been steadily rising for weeks.

Hospitalizations are also up to 1,473, up from 856 one month ago.

NEW - The COVID surge in Virginia continues as @VDHgov reports nearly 6,500 new cases today. These last 2 days are among the largest new case days in the entire pandemic. VDH reports 33 new COVID related deaths (141 so far this week), hospitalizations trending up @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/yyxaZM1TG1

— Drew Wilder (@DrewWilderTV) December 23, 2021

Thirty-three more people died of the virus, according to state data.

COVID-19 cases are up 67.4% over the past two weeks, according to NBC News.

The large number of cases was announced just a day before Christmas Eve. The Virginia Department of Health urges anyone who would like to attend a holiday gathering to get tested first.