DANVILLE, Va. – Sovah Health announced Friday that the hospital is rescheduling elective and non-urgent surgeries due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases. The decision affects both the Danville and Martinsville hospitals.

According to a statement, no other surgeries or procedures will be affected at this time. Sovah said “the decisions about which procedures can safely move forward will be made by working with our clinical teams to carefully evaluate each patient’s needs.”

“The rising number of cases indicates substantial spread of the virus within our community, which is disheartening and concerning. The low vaccination rates in our regions leave our communities incredibly vulnerable to severe illness, hospitalization, and death.”

“It’s unfortunate that we must again take this action to pause elective surgeries,” said Dr. Sheranda Gunn-Nolan, Sovah Health Market Chief Medical Officer, in a news release. “We would also like to acknowledge the tireless work our team has provided to what equates to over 600 days of a global pandemic. Together, we will get through this.”