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CHARLESTON -- Active cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus surpassed 9,000 on Friday, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources said in its pandemic update.
The state reported 9,037 active cases statewide, up from 8,857 on Thursday. Also reported was 1,063 new cases of the virus in the 24-hour period between Thursday and Friday mornings.
State officials have warned cases would increase as cold weather sets in and people remain indoors.
Active cases in local counties are (previous day): Wood County, 381 (371); Wirt, 35 (28); Wetzel, 94 (98); Tyler, 27 (29); Roane, 76 (76); Ritchie, 44 (41); Pleasants, 45 (40); Jackson, 69 (78); Gilmer, 20 (16); Doddridge, 17 (15); Calhoun, 42 (38.)
Thirty deaths were reported between Thursday and Friday. That includes 17 people in a data reconciliation with death certificates by the Bureau of Public Health. Among the deaths were a 71-year-old woman from Jackson County, Reconciliations include a 53-year-old man from Ritchie County.
"There are many heroes in our fight against COVID-19, and that list includes every West Virginian who has chosen to be vaccinated," department Secretary Bill J. Crouch said. "Thank you for helping save the lives of your families, friends and community."
Wood, Wetzel, Pleasants, Wirt, Ritchie and Roane are red on the County Alert System map, the highest level based on infection rates.
Jackson, Gilmer, Tyler and Calhoun are orange, second highest. Doddridge is yellow, second lowest.
The state reported 63 people are in a hospital with COVID complications, 482 of those are unvaccinated. Intensive care patients with COVID totaled 211, 179 of those unvaccinated. The state reported 101 of the 119 people on ventilators are unvaccinated.
Hospital admissions peaked at 1,012 on Sept. 24. Cases are primarily the delta variant.