For the week ending Saturday, March 29, COVID-19 accounted for .9% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with overall respiratory illness rates low and trending down compared to previous data. No COVID-19-related deaths were reported during this period at press time.

As of the latest sampling on March 2, COVID-19 wastewater data was unavailable for Richmond, while levels in Henrico County remained steady. However, CDC monitoring from March 16 through 22 detected high viral activity across Virginia, with reports from six sites statewide. The highest concentrations were found in northwestern and southwestern regions, as well as in Petersburg.

RHHD’s Resource Centers are providing free at-home tests for pickup at select locations:

• Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, call 804-371-0433.

• Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., call 804-786-4099.

• Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., call 804-786-1960.

• Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., call 804-230-7740.

• Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., call 804-786-0204.

• Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Road, Unit B, call 804-230-2077.

• Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., call 804-786-0555.

For Virginia Department of Health testing locations, visit vdh.virginia.gov. Additional testing site information can be found at vax.rchd.com.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are approved for those 6 months and older, while Novavax is for individuals age 12 and older. To schedule an appointment with the Richmond and Henrico health districts, call 804-205-3501.

A list of pharmacies and clinics offering the vaccine is available at Vaccines.gov. Additional locations can be found by texting your ZIP code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233.

Compiled by George Copeland Jr.