“There's beginning to be, I don't want to say anger, but people being very upset that we are getting incredibly busy again, and getting upset at those that have chosen not to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Jordan Asher, chief physician executive for Sentara Healthcare.

With the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases, propelled by the more contagious delta variant, public health officials added a day for testing at Military Circle Mall.

Epidemiologists say with any vaccine, some breakthrough cases are expected, as none is 100% effective at preventing illnesses. As the number of people who are vaccinated increases, so will the number of breakthrough cases.

The Virginia Department of Health is working on support for QR-code based tracking systems that prove a person’s vaccination status. The technology could be ready in two or three weeks.

University of Virginia pandemic forecasters say more than 60,000 potential cases could be avoided with mask-wearing and social distancing.

Public health officials say the delta variant spreads two to four times more easily, which means herd immunity might not be reached until perhaps as much as 90% or more of the population is vaccinated.

Over the past month, vaccinations have largely stalled in the state. That troubles health experts, who believe vaccines will be the most effective strategy in ending the pandemic.

Across the state, 7.1% of nasal swab tests are coming back positive statewide, a jump of more than 40% in a single week.

Following Gov. Ralph Northam's announcement that state workers will need to be vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing, it’s not known whether the state will want workers to show their vaccination record cards to prove their inoculation. The state is still working out the logistics.