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CHARLESTON -- More people hospitalized with COVID-19 in West Virginia were vaccinated than unvaccinated Wednesday, but that does not take into account whether they have received booster shots, according to the state's coronavirus czar.
"We know that folks over 60 years of age and five months after their second or third shot are at risk of severe illness, ICU stay and death," said Dr. Clay Marsh, vice president/executive dean for health sciences at West Virginia University. "Getting the fourth shot (second boost) reduced death from COVID by 78 percent in Israeli data."
There were 80 COVID-related hospitalizations on Wednesday, down from 87 the day before, according to Wednesday's numbers from the state Department of Health and Human Resources. Of those patients, 43 (53.8 percent) had been vaccinated, while 37 were unvaccinated.
There were 22 patients in intensive care units, 15 (68.2 percent) vaccinated. Half of the 12 patients on ventilators were vaccinated. One pediatric hospitalization was confirmed.
Statewide, 972,575 people age 5 and up are considered fully vaccinated, but less than half of them -- 455,529 -- have received a booster dose, according to the DHHR.
Also on Wednesday, the agency confirmed the deaths of a 62-year-old woman from Braxton County, a 66-year-old woman from Wyoming County and a 73-year-old man from Kanawha County.
"We are deeply saddened to report the deaths of three more West Virginians due to COVID-19," DHHR Secretary Bill J. Crouch said. "I urge all eligible residents to get vaccinated or boosted to help save lives."
After a dip from Monday to Tuesday, active cases in the state rose slightly from 446 to 459 Wednesday.
Active cases in local counties Wednesday (Tuesday) were: Calhoun, 2 (3); Doddridge, 0 (0); Gilmer, 1 (1); Jackson, 1 (1); Pleasants, 0 (0); Ritchie, 1 (1); Roane, 2 (3); Tyler, 1 (1); Wetzel, 1 (2); Wirt, 0 (0); Wood, 18 (16).
The County Alert System map remained green across all 55 counties, indicating the lowest level of COVID-19 spread based on the lower of the number of new cases per 100,000 people in a given period or the percentage of positive tests.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.