The number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia rose almost 15 percent from Wednesday to Thursday.

There are now 1,706 cases out of 17,589 people who have been tested. There have been 246 hospitalizations and 41 deaths.

The Peninsula Health District now reports 159 cases — 97 in James City County, 33 in Newport News, 17 in York County, nine in Williamsburg and three in Poquoson.