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The state’s daily COVID-19 case numbers are continuing to trend downward as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the Pfizer vaccine for use in the 12- to 15-year-old range.

Monday, May 10, Acting Piedmont Health District Director Dr. Sulola Adekoya said coronavirus cases in the health district were seemingly remaining stable with slight fluctuations across each county.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) on Monday was reporting 14 new cases out of Charlotte County this week for a cumulative total of 858 since the pandemic began.

Lunenburg County increased two cases this week for a total of 763.

Prince Edward County saw 19 new cases over the last seven days, bringing the county’s cumulative total of cases to 2,145.

Buckingham on Monday was up 10 cases for a total of 2,219.

Cumberland County experienced 13 new cases in the past week for a total of 486 cases of the virus.

The state’s COVID-19 cases continued to trend downward this week. On Monday, May 10, the state’s daily average of coronavirus cases reached just 336, down from 611 a week prior. The state has not seen a lower daily average in case numbers since 11 months ago.

On Monday, Virginia’s seven-day moving average of cases was at 723, down from last week’s average of 999.

Adekoya acknowledged Monday officials are excited that more than 30% of adults in the health district have been vaccinated, adding many of the area’s college students recently received their second dose of the vaccine.

According to the VDH, the percentage of people in each county who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is as follows:

• Charlotte – 36.6%

• Lunenburg – 36.7%

• Prince Edward – 32.6%

• Buckingham – 37.9%

• Cumberland – 34.9%

On Monday, the FDA officially approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds.

Adekoya said while a common concern among citizens is the fact that COVID-19 vaccines like Pfizer are currently only approved for emergency use authorization, Pfizer is also currently applying for full licensure from the FDA. Officials expect the approval of the license will come soon.

The Piedmont Health District, she added, holds a Pfizer clinic each Wednesday in Farmville.