CHARLESTON — On Friday, Gov. Jim Justice reported that there are now 10,213 active cases of COVID-19 statewide — up by 510 cases since the Governor’s previous briefing on Wednesday.

Despite the small increase over the past two days, the active case count is down overall by 19,531 cases since peaking less than a month ago, dropping by 65.7% in that timeframe.

COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov

Meanwhile, the state continues to see a steady downward trend in the number of severe COVID cases.

The number of hospitalizations, patients in ICUs, and patients on ventilators have all dropped between 16.4% and 23.3% since peaking in the final week of September.

The number of hospitalizations is now 785; down by 38 since Wednesday. Since peaking at 1,012, hospitalizations have dropped by 227 (22.4%).

The number of patients in ICUs is now 227; down by 12 since Wednesday. Since peaking at 296, the number of patients in ICUs has dropped by 69 (23.3%).

The number of patients on ventilators is now 163; down by 12 since Wednesday. Since peaking at 195, the number of patients on ventilators has dropped by 32 (16.4%).

However, the statewide death toll from COVID-19 has now reached 4,108, with 110 more deaths being reported since Wednesday, including 31 as a result of the DHHR’s data reconciliation with official death certificates.

The County Alert System map now features 20 red counties, 26 orange counties, six gold counties, one yellow county, and two green counties.

CLARKSBURG VETERANS NURSING FACILITY UPDATE

Also on Friday, Gov. Justice provided an update on the recent COVID-19 outbreak at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg.

The Governor reported that the outbreak is contained to the Alzheimers/Dementia Ward.

There have been 13 positive cases among the 17 total residents in this ward. Additionally, five staff members have tested positive.

One infected patient who was under hospice care prior to their infection died Thursday.

The Governor went on to add that all residents have now received antibody treatments and that there are no patients hospitalized at this time. 

“We have it contained to the very best of our abilities,” Gov. Justice said. “We thank our National Guard for doing what we always say and running to the fire. These are our heroes and we’re trying to look after them in every way.

With the percentage of fully vaccinated residents hospitalized for COVID-19 slowly creeping higher in recent weeks, Gov. Justice took time during his briefing to encourage all West Virginians to determine if they qualify for a booster dose and then get one if they are eligible.

West Virginians who received specifically the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine  may qualify for the booster shot if it has been at least six months since their second dose.

The CDC recommends that:

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings SHOULD receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second dose of Pfizer.
• People aged 50–64 years with *underlying medical conditions SHOULD receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second dose of Pfizer.
• People aged 18–49 years with *underlying medical conditions MAY receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second Pfizer dose, based on their individual benefits and risks.

People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting MAY receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second Pfizer dose, based on their individual benefits and risks.