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CHARLESTON -- Statewide active cases jumped to more than 1,000 on Friday in West Virginia, the Department of Health and Human Resources said.
Also, a 57-year-old man from Wood County was among the confirmed deaths reported on Friday by the department. Another five deaths were reported on Friday.
The state reported 1,022 cases in its Friday morning pandemic update. Cases were at 968 on Thursday.
While the number of active cases have been on a downward trend, they have fluctuated up and down. The state Friday also reported it has received 288 new cases between Thursday and Friday.
Sixteen counties are now yellow, second lowest grade for infection rates, three more than on Thursday. In this region, Ritchie and Doddridge are yellow.
All other counties in the state are green.
Active cases in local counties on Friday (Thursday): Calhoun, 3 (2); Doddridge, 5 (5); Gilmer, 3 (2); Jackson, 14 (13); Pleasants, 5 (3); Ritchie, 6 (4); Roane, 11 (8); Tyler, 5 (6); Wetzel, 1 (3); Wirt, 3 (2); and Wood, 48 (48).
In addition to the Wood County man, the state has confirmed the deaths of a 90-year-old woman from Wayne County, a 79-year-old woman from Fayette County, a 93-year-old woman from Lincoln County and an 84-year-old woman from Kanawha County.
The death toll since the pandemic began was 7,450 on Friday.
"Our thoughts are with the families who are experiencing the pain of loss due to COVID-19," department Secretary Bill J. Crouch said. "Please schedule your COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot today to protect yourself, your family and your community."
West Virginians 6 months and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. All individuals 6 months and older 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. Those 5-11 are recommended to get an original (monovalent) booster shot when due and those 12 and older are recommended to get an omicron booster shot (bivalent) at least two months after completing their primary series.
Statewide hospitalizations totaled 185 patients with 28 in an intensive care unit and 13 on ventilators. Four pediatric cases with one in an ICU and one on a ventilator were reported.