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Coronavirus

West Virginia sees fewer active COVID cases, more hospitalizations

CHARLESTON — Active cases of the coronavirus slightly decreased from Wednesday in West Virginia, where the omicron mutation is now the predominant strain, according to the state Department of Health and Human Resources. The department reported 15,687 active COVID-19 cases Thursday around the state, a drop from the 15,906 reported on Wednesday. Active cases may be nearing their plateau; however, hospitalizations and deaths may continue to rise for several weeks after, according to Dr. Clay Marsh, who leads the coronavirus efforts in West Virginia. The omicron mutation of the virus has ...

Marsh: West Virginia’s omicron peak could come within 2 weeks

CHARLESTON — West Virginia COVID-19 “czar” Dr. Clay Marsh predicts that, if omicron variant cases peak in about two weeks, this will be followed by a rise in hospitalizations, then an increase in deaths. During a briefing with state reporters on Wednesday, Marsh referenced a University of Washington study that suggested the omicron variant would peak in early February. “We know all these modeling predictions are merely that,” he said. “We do think the omicron spread, in terms of new cases, will likely start to peak and plateau over the next five to 14 days. As we see the ...

Officials say active COVID cases down in West Virginia

CHARLESTON — Active cases of the COVID-19 virus were at 15,906 Wednesday in West Virginia, another decline from the previous day’s tally, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources said. The number of active cases dropped 1,333 from Tuesday when cases were at 17,239. Cases don’t remain on the active list as long as reported prior to Jan. 6, when the state changed the criteria for active cases after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shortened the recommended quarantine period for asymptomatic individuals from 10 days to five. The department also ...

West Virginia’s COVID hospitalizations increase

CHARLESTON — COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide increased by more than 50 patients from Monday to Tuesday, according to the latest statistics from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. The state reported 907 patients were in the hospital, an increase of 53 from Monday to Tuesday morning. Intensive care patients with COVID complications increased by seven, from 200 on Monday to 207 on Tuesday. The state reported 124 patients on a ventilator on Tuesday, up from 116 on Monday. Unvaccinated patients accounted for 639, or 70.5 percent, of those in the hospital. ...

West Virginia National Guard to assist at Camden Clark

PARKERSBURG — Starting next week, WVU Medicine Camden Clark will be getting a pandemic assist from the West Virginia Army National Guard. The hospital requested assistance and anticipates the arrival of 12 non-clinical support staff and a clinical liaison on Jan. 26. The clinical liaison will be someone like a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, a hospital spokesman said. “The non-clinical team will be assisting with screening visitors at entrances, transporting patients, assisting on nursing units and in ancillary areas, stocking supply rooms, etc., and may be answering patient call ...