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CHARLESTON -- Two deaths by the COVID-19 coronavirus were confirmed Thursday morning by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Deaths confirmed were a 61-year-old woman from Kanawha County and a 77-year-old woman from Raleigh County, the department said.
Seven deaths have been confirmed this week by the department. The two on Thursday raises the count since the pandemic started to 7,457 residents.
The department also reported 861 active cases as of Thursday, up 13 from Wednesday. Another 276 new cases of the virus have been received in the 24-hour period between Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
While state health officials believe the state may have passed the peak o the number of cases of the virus, this surge being the BA.5 variant, more infections may occur as the seasons change, according to department Secretary Bill J. Crouch.
"Community spread may rise in the coming months as colder weather leads to more indoor gatherings," Crouch said. "Make sure you are up-to-date with your COVID vaccines and boosters to increase your protection."
Current active cases in local counties (last report) are: Calhoun 1 (1), Doddridge 2 (4), Gilmer 3 (3), Jackson 11 (9), Pleasants 3 (4), Ritchie 2 (2), Roane 12 (11), Tyler 7 (7), Wetzel 2 (2), Wirt 1 (1), Wood 47 (40).
Tyler, Roane and Gilmer counties remain the only yellow counties in the region on the County Alert System Map based on infection rates. All other counties are green, the lowest level.
Eleven counties are yellow and all others are green.
The state reported 186 patients are in a hospital with COVID complications. Forty-one are in an intensive care unit and 16 are on a ventilator. Two pediatric cases with one in an ICU and on a ventilator also were reported.