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CHARLESTON -- Three more Mid-Ohio Valley residents have been added to the COVID-19 death toll.
An 80-year-old Wood County man, a 97-year-old Ritchie County woman and a 97-year-old Jackson County woman were among 23 West Virginians whose COVID-related deaths were confirmed in Wednesday's update from the state Department of Health and Human Resources. The others ranged in age from 61 to 99.
"We mourn with all families suffering the loss of loved ones due to COVID-19," said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR cabinet secretary.
Wirt County moved into the red category on the state's COVID-19 alert map on Wednesday. Wood, Doddridge, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler and Wetzel counties are also on red, the classification indicating the highest level of spread of the virus.
Gilmer County is on gold, the middle category, while Calhoun and Roane are yellow, the second lowest.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department on Wednesday reported multiple outbreaks in its six-county region, which covers Wood, Wirt, Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie and Roane counties. No specific locations were named, but they include 13 long-term care facilities, two correctional facilities, one school and one day care. Two health care facilities and six other agencies or businesses are dealing with quarantining due to the virus, a release from the department said.
The department advised anyone planning to travel for the holidays to take precautions, including wearing masks and washing hands, and stay home if experiencing any type of cold or flu-like symptoms.
Virus statistics for Mid-Ohio Valley counties as of Wednesday's update were:
* Calhoun: 20 active cases, 97 recovered, 108 total confirmed, 9 total probable, 4,589 tests, 0 deaths.
* Doddridge: 50 active, 163 recovered, 172 total confirmed, 44 total probable, 3,220 tests, 3 deaths.
* Gilmer: 62 active, 256 recovered, 265 total confirmed, 54 total probable, 5,759 tests, 1 death.
* Jackson: 227 active, 782 recovered, 973 total confirmed, 65 total probable, 16,727 tests, 29 deaths.
* Pleasants: 160 active, 152 recovered, 253 total confirmed, 64 total probable, 4,351 tests, 5 deaths.
* Ritchie: 60 active, 234 recovered, 259 total confirmed, 42 total probable, 5,663 tests, 7 deaths.
* Roane: 48 active, 215 recovered, 254 total confirmed, 14 total probable, 9,942 tests, 5 deaths.
* Tyler: 52 active, 239 recovered, 210 total confirmed, 83 total probable, 4,745 tests, 2 deaths.
* Wetzel: 95 active, 505 recovered, 394 total confirmed, 222 total probable, 8,505 tests, 16 deaths.
* Wirt: 42 active, 145 recovered, 147 total confirmed, 41 total probable, 2,517 tests, 1 death.
* Wood: 1,029 active, 3,322 recovered, 3,364 total confirmed, 1,027 probable, 57,297 tests, 40 deaths.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is planning a free testing event in Calhoun County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Arnoldsburg Elementary School. People can pre-register at www.ipsumcovidresults.com.
Other ongoing testing locations and pharmacies offering drive-through testing can be found online at dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx.
The Health Department will continue to vaccinate first responders next week and follow up with second doses in early January, the release said. But it will not be the agency vaccinating the elderly or medical professionals.
The department recommends checking with one's physician or medical association as to where and when the vaccine will be available to you. The MOVHD will continue to inform the public as it knows more about vaccination rollouts for the general public.