More than 150 West Virginians have died from COVID-19 since Monday, including a 17-year-old boy

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources announced Saturday that 1,464 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the Mountain State.

With the virus spreading at record levels, the death toll continues to increase at a rapid rate, with more than 150 West Virginians dying from COVID-19 since Monday. The state announced another 31 deaths Saturday.

West Virginia reported the youngest death to date on Friday, a 17-year-old male from Kanawha County.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for the families and friends of these West Virginians, especially during the holiday season,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “We offer our sympathies to each and every person connected to these individuals.”

The positivity percentage, meanwhile, is also well above the levels seen throughout much of the fall. With most schools now on holiday break, it’s unclear when students might return to the classroom. As of Saturday, less than one-fifth of the schools in West Virginia would be permitted to reopen under current health guidelines.

Half the state — including Upshur County — is now classified as red on the daily alert map, indicating the highest level of spread.

Locally, new cases were reported in Upshur (16), Barbour (14), Lewis (9), Randolph (6) and Webster (1) counties.

A total of 95 cases are currently active in Upshur County, according to the DHHR. Saturday’s Upshur County update:

• Added one probable case and 13 confirmed cases to Dec. 18
• Added three probable and five confirmed cases to Dec. 17
• Removed seven probable cases and added three confirmed cases to Dec. 16
• Removed two probable cases from Dec. 15
• Removed two probable cases and added one confirmed case to Dec. 14

The deaths reported statewide Saturday include:

• a 77-year old male from Marion County,
• an 82-year old male from Raleigh County,
• an 82-year old male Mineral County,
• a 75-year old male from Marshall County,
• an 82-year old female from Greenbrier County,
• a 75-year old male from Marshall County,
• a 90-year old female from Jefferson County,
• a 69-year old female from Berkeley County,
• an 81-year old male from Hancock County,
• a 65-year old female from Gilmer County,
• a 76-year old male from Hancock County,
• a 90-year old male from Greenbrier County,
• a 70-year old male from Hancock County,
• a 50-year old male from Marshall County,
• a 67-year old male from Raleigh County,
• an 88-year old female from Hancock County,
• an 86-year old female from Jefferson County,
• a 64-year old male from Wood County,
• a 74-year old female from Cabell County,
• a 77-year old female from Kanawha County,
• a 72-year old male from Morgan County,
• a 58-year old male from Hampshire County,
• a 101-year old female from Monongalia County,
• an 87-year old female from Putnam County,
• an 86-year old female from Cabell County,
• a 79-year old female from Kanawha County,
• a 68-year old male from Monongalia County,
• a 78-year old female from Kanawha County,
• a 93-year old male from Harrison County,
• a 70-year old male from Morgan County,
• an 81-year old male from Marshall County.

“The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reports as of December 19, 2020, there have been 1,378,211 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 71,215 total cases and 1,122 deaths,” according to a press release.

About 22,249 West Virginia cases remain active, according DHHR data. Of the cases that are no longer active, 47,844 people have recovered and 1,122 have died. The daily percent positive was 7.91%.

CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (605), Berkeley (5,084), Boone (900), Braxton (210), Brooke (1,144), Cabell (4,390), Calhoun (114), Clay (223), Doddridge (200), Fayette (1,477), Gilmer (270), Grant (647), Greenbrier (1,087), Hampshire (780), Hancock (1,529), Hardy (614), Harrison (2,323), Jackson (982), Jefferson (2,020), Kanawha (7,611), Lewis (392), Lincoln (634), Logan (1,364), Marion (1,415), Marshall (1,767), Mason (886), McDowell (796), Mercer (2,114), Mineral (1,978), Mingo (1,207), Monongalia (4,596), Monroe (522), Morgan (525), Nicholas (546), Ohio (2,185), Pendleton (214), Pleasants (277), Pocahontas (314), Preston (1,259), Putnam (2,629), Raleigh (2,292), Randolph (983), Ritchie (282), Roane (254), Summers (354), Taylor (565), Tucker (267), Tyler (272), Upshur (699), Wayne (1,468), Webster (119), Wetzel (576), Wirt (173), Wood (4,076), Wyoming (1,005).