COVID-19 News and Updates

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

The Chesterfield Health District (CHD) is a division of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The CHD is comprised of the counties of Chesterfield and Powhatan and the city of Colonial Heights. VDH distributes COVID-19 vaccines to local health districts, such as CHD, which then administer the vaccine to eligible individuals within the health district, according to phases set by VDH. For current vaccination data for Chesterfield County and the Chesterfield Health District, as well as overall vaccination data for Greater Richmond region localities, visit the Chesterfield COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard. To find a COVID-19 vaccine near you, visit VaccineFinder.org. 

To view current information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in:

  1. Aug. 5 Updates
  2. July 21 Updates
  3. July 9 Updates
  4. July 1 Updates
  5. Updates Archive

Aug. 5, 2021 Update - 2:30 p.m.

Governor Northam Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for State Workers
Localities and private employers are encouraged to do the same

Governor Ralph Northam has announced that Virginia will require its state workers to show proof that they are fully vaccinated or be tested for COVID-19 every week. This policy will impact approximately 122,000 employees and will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.

Governor Northam’s action comes as the highly transmissible Delta variant is driving up cases across the Commonwealth and around the country, primarily among unvaccinated people. Nearly 73% of Virginia adults have had their first shot and 54% of all Virginians are fully vaccinated against the virus, which is higher than most states.

Last week, President Joe Biden announced a vaccination requirement for federal workers and Governor Northam’s executive directive is consistent with this policy. View the full text of Executive Directive Eighteen (PDF). 

Virginians who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to go to vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1) to find a nearby vaccination clinic. For answers to frequently asked questions or to learn more about vaccination for COVID-19 in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.

View the full news release on the Virginia Governor Newsroom. 


Aug. 5, 2021 Update - 1 p.m.

Chesterfield Health District is Reminding Residents to Get Vaccinated as Delta Variant Spreads
While optional, COVID-19 vaccinations and wearing a face covering could significantly curb the spread of the Delta variant

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Chesterfield Health District (CHD) is reminding residents to get vaccinated and wear face coverings while in public indoor settings as COVID-19 case numbers rise as a result of the Delta variant – including in Chesterfield County. The Chesterfield Health District is a state entity of the Virginia Department of Health and includes Chesterfield and Powhatan counties and the City of Colonial Heights. 

Dr. Alexander Samuel, Chesterfield Health District director, said case numbers throughout the health district have significantly increased over the past few weeks – with the district moving from a seven-day average of 1.4 cases per 100,000 people on July 1 to 20 cases per 100,000 people on Aug. 4. The rate of increase is similar to the surge during the late autumn and early winter of 2020, Dr. Samuel said. The seven-day average per 100,000 people peaked at 84.1 cases at the height of the pandemic in mid-January of this year.   

“The pace at which new cases are appearing indicate that the virus is spreading rapidly,” Dr. Samuel said. “We now meet the CDC definition of having a high transmission level.”

Many of the new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are amongst people who have not been vaccinated.  

“The vast majority of cases are among unvaccinated individuals,” Dr. Samuel said. “The rise in cases also can be attributed to the relaxation of mitigation practices with the expiration of the governor’s executive orders, increased travel and the rapid emergence of the Delta variant as a predominant variant strain.” 

The Delta variant is different from the original version of COVID-19 and other variants that have arisen in a few ways, Dr. Samuel said. For starters, it is much more contagious and poses more of a risk to those who have not been vaccinated. It also spreads more than twice as easily as other variants – making it the predominant variant strain in the United States.

While the Delta variant is causing some vaccine breakthrough infections, meaning people who have been fully vaccinated have become infected, Dr. Samuel said most breakthrough infections are mild and the vaccines are working as they should by preventing severe hospitalizations and deaths.  

“So far, virtually all hospitalizations and deaths in this most recent wave in the Chesterfield Health District, and across the United States, continue to be among the unvaccinated,” Dr. Samuel said.  

The CDC and VDH recommends people – including the fully vaccinated – wear a mask in public indoor settings. Other mitigation efforts, such as hand washing and social distancing, should be practiced to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.

However, Dr. Samuel said the best way to fend off the latest variant of COVID-19 is for residents to get vaccinated. 

“Vaccination is the best way to protect you, your family and your community,” Dr. Samuel said. “Higher vaccination coverage will reduce the spread of the virus and prevent new variants from emerging.”  

Visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877 VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682) to learn how to get a free COVID-19 vaccination.

View the full news release.