COVID-19 Vaccine

The post-holiday surge of COVID-19 cases continues an upward trend with 301 statewide confirmed cases hospitalized, 52 in intensive care and 16 on a ventilator.

Twenty-nine West Virginians have died from COVID-19 this week alone as deaths and hospitalizations continue to rise.

During his regular briefing, Gov. Jim Justice reported 551 new positive cases of COVID-19 after the holidays with 360 patients hospitalized.

As cases of respiratory diseases fill hospitals and health officials urge communities to get vaccinated this winter, $6 million will be awarded to West Virginia health centers to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to underserved populations.

Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s coronavirus czar, said he’s closely watching how the most common COVID-19 variant is changing, which could lead to an increase in hospitalizations.

Earlier this week, West Virginia surpassed 7,500 COVID-19 deaths. But the virus has not had an equal impact everywhere. Across the country, some states and communities continue to be harder hit by the pandemic than others, and West Virginia is no exception — even varying by county.

Gov. Jim Justice doubled down on his stance against vaccine mandates at Monday’s press conference.

Gov. Jim Justice reported nine more deaths during his COVID-19 briefing Wednesday afternoon.

Coronavirus czar Dr. Clay Marsh discussed the emergence of new COVID omicron subvariant BQ1.1, and Ret. Maj. Gen. Jim Hoyer urged West Virginians to also get flu shots to help avoid more strain on the state’s hospital system.

The state’s COVID-19 numbers continue to improve incrementally, but the virus is still claiming lives.