The chaotic aftermath of a Blacksburg crash is still fresh in the hospital personnel’s minds.

ROANOKE, Va – A rise in hospitalizations for COVID-19 cases has health officials in the Roanoke and Alleghany Health Districts calling for more vigilance from the public when it comes to curbing the spread of the disease. Health officials say they are now seeing the most hospitalizations since March. This week the Virginia Department of Health is reporting an increase of 11 hospitalizations related to COVID bringing the total to 50 in the Roanoke-Alleghany region. As our Virginia Department of Health colleagues have mentioned, we saw 26 outbreaks of COVID-19 last week in the Roanoke and Alleghany Health District. Health Department leaders warn that as flu season quickly approaches, it is up to everyone to seriously follow the guidelines to prevent a further spike in hospitalizations, outbreaks, and COVID-19 cases.