A stray kitten found in Campbell County tested positive for rabies, according to the Central Virginia Health District.

New research is underway on long COVID, a prolonged illness after a coronavirus infection, and how it impacts our community.

The Central Virginia Health District will conduct the study about long COVID and its local impact

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.

A mass COVID-19 testing event at the Berglund Center led to major backups in Roanoke Wednesday.

There were 275 news cases of the virus in the Commonwealth Monday, and new cases have been rising in Virginia for about a month.

As state leaders celebrate hitting President Joe Biden’s July 4th goal to get 70% of adults vaccinated, local health leaders say there is still work to be done.

Lynchburg and its surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell are now in Phase Two -- meaning anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccines.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Anyone living inside the Central Virginia Health District that’s interested in making an appointment to be vaccinated for COVID-19 can now do so. On Tuesday, health leaders announced that the district, which covers Lynchburg, as well as Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties, has opened its phonebank to anyone living in those areas. Callers will receive an email that will allow them to complete the necessary information and make an appointment to receive their vaccination. For those making appointments, the health district asks that you not arrive earlier than 20 minutes before your appointment time. The health district is also asking for volunteers, both medical and non-medical.

More people in the Central Virginia Health District are now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. The health district entered Phase 1c on Thursday, according to health officials. Earlier this month, the Virginia Dept. of Health announced that all communities across the state would be in Phase 1c by mid-April. Essential workers are now eligible for the vaccine, including people in the following industries:EnergyWater, wastewater, and waste removal (includes recycling removal)Housing and constructionFood serviceTransportation and logisticsInstitutions of higher education (faculty and staff only)FinanceInformation technology & communicationMediaLegal servicesPublic safety (including engineers)Other public health workersBarbers, stylists, and hairdressersAnyone looking to get a vaccine can click here to pre-register or call 877-VAX-IN-VA.Below is a map that highlights what phase each health district is in:

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Central Virginia Health District leaders say they’re receiving more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and expect to have even more by the end of March. Dr. Lindsey Lockewood, Population Health Manager & Public Information Officer for CVHD, told 10 News Thursday that the district received 7,000 doses the week of March 7 – that’s more than double what they’ve been getting. Health leaders expect that to increase by 1,000 to 2,000 come April. Since the end of January, 3,050 doses were distributed per week to Lynchburg and surrounding counties.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Central Virginia Health District will continue to receive its share of vaccine doses based on population percentage. Last month, we reported the district would receive 3,050 doses per week through February to distribute amongst Lynchburg and surrounding counties. “We’re still receiving that same amount each week. We don’t have any new information that would indicate otherwise for future weeks to come,” said Dr. Lindsey Lockewood, population health manager and public information officer for the Central Virginia Health District. Virginia is expected to receive an increase of up to 161,000 doses per week, but the district has no information on when that will happen.

Liberty University post shows little to no mask wearing during snowball fightLYNCHBURG, Va. – We now know Liberty University received a notice of violation for a campus-wide snowball fight last month. On Jan. 31, the university had a massive snowball fight where hundreds of students were standing shoulder-to-shoulder, many without masks. A week after his apology, Feb. 9, the Lynchburg City Health Department issued Liberty University a notice of violation regarding the event. This came after the health department received 119 complaints about the snowball fight. The notice doesn’t come with any type of punishment for the university, but it does warn of future action if more violations are reported.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The City of Lynchburg announced Friday plans for a regional vaccination center. City and health leaders have an agreement with Liberty University, which owns Candler’s Station shopping center, to convert the old TJ Maxx. But there’s no date set for when the site will open. Dr. Keith Anderson, LU’s health and wellness director, said that’s because the health district doesn’t have enough vaccines yet. Wodicka said city and health officials are asking for patience.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Department of Health has been inundated with complaints about Liberty University’s unmasked snowball fight. VDH says they’ve received nearly 120 complaints since Sunday’s on-campus event. Liberty University post shows little to no mask wearing during snowball fightLU’s acting President Jerry Prevo led the event and has since issued an apology. And the size of the group was not in compliance either,” wrote Prevo in the statement. AdThe Central Virginia Health District is looking into it.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – City and health leaders in Lynchburg expanded vaccination distribution on Friday. “What we are doing today is vaccinating 150 Lynchburg City School employees and 150 Lynchburg City employees who are eligible for vaccination under the phase 1B guidelines,” said Reid Wodicka, interim Lynchburg city manager. Those 150 school employees were vaccinated at E.C. Crystal Edwards, school superintendent, said LCS tiered the 800 employees interested in getting the vaccine. “All those who are standing in front of our kids, transporting our kids, feeding our kids; those are the people we are prioritizing today,” said Edwards.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Central Virginia Health District (CVHD) is now in the 1B vaccination phase. But Dr. Lindsey Lockewood, CVHD’s population health manager, wants to be realistic with expectations. “Even if folks are in 1B, yes, they are eligible to receive vaccine; and, yes, they can go ahead and get signed up for preregistration. While there’s no timetable on when the vaccine will arrive, those who are eligible will have multiple opportunities to get vaccinated. Everyone is going to get a vaccine that wants one, but it’s going to take some time to get there.”CVHD is planning vaccination sites in Lynchburg and its surrounding counties, but exactly how many is still unclear.

A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the COVID-19 at a health center in Athens, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)The Central Virginia Health District is now in Phase 1b of the coronavirus vaccine distribution plan. Officials announced this shift on Wednesday and said their health district is seeing a much higher demand for the vaccine than the doses Virginia is receiving from the federal government. “We are working on as many alternatives as possible to make the vaccine available,” said Dr. Kerry Gateley, health director of CVHD. Eligible residents seeking to be vaccinated during Phase 1b should sign up here and complete the pre-registration form.

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – The Central Virginia Health District sent a notice to Bedford County, saying it violated the state’s COVID-19 restrictions at a November 23 board meeting. More than 70 people packed the administration building for a Board of Supervisors meeting to stand up against Governor Ralph Northam’s executive order limiting gatherings to 25 people. Northam’s office, health officials react to packed Bedford County meeting]Most people at the meeting were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing. There are a bunch of people there without taking the recommended precautions for preventing COVID; and that’s a bunch of people who could possibly be exposed,” said James Bowles, environmental health manager for the Central Virginia Health District. Bowles said the county was not fined, but reminded of the guidelines.

A person in the Central Virginia Health District who was sick with COVID-19 has died, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced Wednesday. The Central Virginia Health District contains Appomattox, Amherst, Campbell and Bedford counties, as well as the city of Lynchburg. This is the first fatality associated with COVID-19 in the Central Virginia Health District. The VDH did not release any information about the person, including age and where he or she lives.