Trending
Staff Report
CHARLESTON -- Eleven more residents have died from the COVID-19 coronavirus, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reported on Thursday.
The deaths include 45- and 52-year-old men, the state said.
The additional deaths raise the count since the pandemic began more than 30 months ago to 7,513 residents of the state.
Deaths confirmed on Thursday were a 52-year-old man from Kanawha County, a 90-year-old woman from Putnam County, a 45-year-old man from Wyoming County, a 91-year-old man from Morgan County, an 89-year-old woman from Kanawha County, a 74-year-old woman from Raleigh County, a 66-year-old woman from Berkeley County, an 83-year-old woman from Mercer County, an 89-year-old woman from Marion County, a 68-year-old woman from Harrison County and an 89-year-old man from Harrison County.
"As we mourn the West Virginia lives lost today, we must not lose sight of our power to prevent severe illness and additional deaths by staying up-to-date on COVID vaccines and boosters," said department Secretary Bill J. Crouch.
The state reported 769 statewide active cases of the virus, up 48 from 721 reported on Wednesday. The numbers fluctuate up and down, but generally have been on a downward trend. Health officials expect an increase in numbers because of colder weather and people staying indoors.
The state also reported 293 new positive cases have been received in the 24-hour period between Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Active cases in local counties on Thursday (Wednesday) were: Calhoun, 2 (1); Doddridge, 3 (3); Gilmer, 7 (7); Jackson, 7 (8); Pleasants, 0 (10); Ritchie, 7 (5); Roane, 8 (5); Tyler, 5 (5); Wetzel, 8 (5); Wirt, 0 (1); Wood, 41 (35).
Pleasants County upgraded from gold, mid level on the County Alert System Map based on infection rates, to green, the lowest level. Tyler and Ritchie and Gilmer counties are yellow, second lowest on the chart.
All other counties in the region are green. Ten counties in the state are yellow and no counties are in the gold, orange or red zones, the highest levels for infections.
The state reported 153 patients are in the hospital with 23 in an intensive care unit and nine on a ventilator. Four pediatric cases were reported one on a ventilator.
Residents 6 months and older qualify for a COVID-19 vaccination and should receive a primary series of vaccination, the initial set of shots that teaches the body to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, the DHHR said.
At present one omicron booster shot (bivalent) is recommended for everyone 5 years and older who completed the primary series and their most recent COVID-19 shot was at least 2 months ago, the state said.
The free online COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator helps individuals determine when they may be due for a COVID-19 shot. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, or to find a vaccine, visit vaccines.gov, vaccinate.wv.gov, or call 1-833-734-0965. Go to COVID-19 testing locations page to locate testing sites.