CHARLESTON — Two people from the region are among the 12 confirmed deaths from the COVID-19 coronavirus reported Wednesday morning by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Eleven of the deaths in Wednesday’s pandemic update are from a data reconciliation with death certificates by the Bureau of Public Health, the department said. Seven of the deaths were from April and May and the other four occurred in September, October and January, two of which were in October.

The state reported the death of a 79-year-old woman from Gilmer County and a 79-year-old man from Wetzel County. Also confirmed were an 88-year-old woman from Wayne County, a 76-year-old man from Berkeley County, an 84-year-old won from Jefferson County, a 90-year-old woman from Wayne County, an 81-year-old woman from Mineral County, a 65-year-old woman from Braxton County, a 54-year-old man from Fayette County, a 94-year-old woman from Marshall County, a 76-year-old woman from Mercer County and an 83-year-old man from Kanawha County.

Deaths total 2,891 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

“We are saddened by the loss of more West Virginians and extend deepest condolences to these grieving families,” department Secretary Bill J. Crouch said. “Let’s continue taking every precaution we can to stop the spread of this disease, including scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination for yourself and all eligible family members.”

Seven residents of Gilmer County and 32 residents of Wetzel have died from the virus, according to the state. The highest death counts among counties in West Virginia are Kanawha with 356, Cabell with 178 and Wood with 176. The least deaths are in Calhoun County with one resident.

The number of active cases slightly dropped from 1,378 on Tuesday to 1,356 on Wednesday, the state said. New active cases since the last update on Tuesday totaled 49.

New cases are people who have not been vaccinated, Dr. Ayne Anjab, state health officer, said on Tuesday. Health officers are concerned with the spread of the Delta variant, which they say is more infectious and carries a greater risk of hospitalization.

The state reported 79 people are in a hospital with 21 in an intensive care unit and nine on ventilators.

Nearly all counties are green in West Virginia, the lowest level on the County Alert System, except for Wyoming, which is yellow.

Active cases in local counties as of Tuesday (previous) were: Calhoun, 5 (3); Doddridge 11 (13); Gilmer, 5 (5); Jackson, 12 (12); Pleasants 0 (0); Ritchie, 4 (3); Roane, 7 (5); Tyler, 7 (7); Wetzel, 13 (13); Wirt, 0 (0); Wood, 25 (27).

A vaccination clinic will be 1-3 p.m. today for Tyler and Wetzel counties at the Wetzel County DHHR office, 1236 North St., New Martinsville.

Vaccination information is at www.vaccinate.wv.gov or call 1-833-734-0965.