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PARKERSBURG -- Fewer overall tests with more positive results drove West Virginia's daily COVID-19 positivity rate over 10 percent, according to the state Department of Health and Human Resources' daily update Tuesday.
"We know that COVID transmission is going up in West Virginia and around the country," said Dr. Clay Marsh, the state's coronavirus czar. The higher positivity rate also reflects "some reduction in testing because we've gotten refocused on vaccines and vaccine distribution," he said.
The percentage of tests coming back positive hit 10.25 percent for Monday, the highest rate since April 18.
As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the state had just under 75,000 total probable and confirmed cases since testing began. There were 22,864 active cases, meaning people who are self-quarantined or hospitalized, and 1,400 new cases reported in the previous 24 hours.
In the update, DHHR announced 42 COVID-19-related deaths, including two Wood County women, ages 100 and 83. That brings the total COVID-19 fatalities in the county to 39 and the statewide count to 1,171.
The other victims ranged in age from 48 to 94. Nine of them were from Monongalia County, six from Preston County, five from Cabell County, three each from Hancock and Mineral counties, two from Fayette and Mercer and one each from Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Harrison, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Nicholas, Raleigh and Summers counties.
"Each tragic death reported is a solemn reminder of the seriousness of this disease," said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR cabinet secretary. "We send our sympathy to these families and urge all West Virginians to continue following the guidelines to protect our residents."
Marsh warned that health care resources could be further taxed if people travel and gather around Christmas the way they seemed to for Thanksgiving. He compared available hospital and intensive care rooms to a glass that was nearly empty and the post-holiday influx of cases to water being poured into it.
"We're really worried that we start these holidays with a glass that was maybe half full," Marsh said. "It has the potential to amplify and build on what we saw at Thanksgiving."
It's important for people to make the best decisions about limiting exposure, with positive impacts from vaccine use and warmer weather a few months away, he said.
"What we do for the December holidays is going to play a big role ... into whether we have a very safe and good rest of the winter," Marsh said.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations say gatherings of friends and family who don't live together can increase the chances of spreading COVID-19 and the flu.
"As cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to increase across the United States, the safest way to celebrate the winter holidays is to celebrate at home with people who live with you," the agency's website says.
CDC recommendations for those who do choose to have small gatherings include limiting the number of attendees to allow for social distancing, holding outdoor gatherings when possible and requiring guests to wear masks or face coverings, even when outside.
More recommendations can be found online at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
Virus statistics for Mid-Ohio Valley counties as of Tuesday's update were:
∫ Calhoun: 19 active cases, 97 recovered, 108 total confirmed, 8 total probable, 4,575 tests, 0 deaths.
∫ Doddridge: 49 active, 160 recovered, 169 total confirmed, 43 total probable, 3,206 tests, 3 deaths.
∫ Gilmer: 42 active, 252 recovered, 265 total confirmed, 30 total probable, 5,770 tests, 1 death.
∫ Jackson: 217 active, 782 recovered, 967 total confirmed, 60 total probable, 16,730 tests, 28 deaths.
∫ Pleasants: 146 active, 152 recovered, 247 total confirmed, 56 total probable, 4,314 tests, 5 deaths.
∫ Ritchie: 66 active, 229 recovered, 259 total confirmed, 42 total probable, 5,653 tests, 6 deaths.
∫ Roane: 45 active, 214 recovered, 249 total confirmed, 15 total probable, 9,848 tests, 5 deaths.
∫ Tyler: 52 active, 236 recovered, 210 total confirmed, 80 total probable, 4,732 tests, 2 deaths.
∫ Wetzel: 85 active, 500 recovered, 386 total confirmed, 215 total probable, 8,491 tests, 16 deaths.
∫ Wirt: 44 active, 140 recovered, 145 total confirmed, 40 total probable, 2,510 tests, 1 death.
∫ Wood: 1,051 active, 3,246 recovered, 3,328 total confirmed, 1,008 probable, 57,043 tests, 39 deaths.
Ongoing free COVID-19 testing events include:
Doddridge County
∫ Noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Ritchie Regional Health Center, Doddridge School-Based Health Center, 151 Doddridge School Road, West Union.
Ritchie County
∫ Noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Ritchie Regional Health Center, 135 South Penn Ave., Harrisville.
Roane County
∫ 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Roane County Family Health Care, 146 Williams Drive, Spencer.
More information about testing, including where drive-through pharmacy testing is available, can be found online at dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx.
Staff reporter Steven Allen Adams contributed to this story.