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Staff Report
CHARLESTON -- A Jackson County man was among the COVID-related deaths reported Tuesday while active cases took another drop to below 1,600 in West Virginia, according to the Department of Health and Human Resources.
Eighteen deaths were reported on Tuesday, raising the death toll to 6,470 residents since the pandemic began more than two years ago.
The department reported the death of a 75-year-old man from Jackson County and deaths in Berkeley, Lincoln, Mineral, Kanawha, Clay, Cabell, McDowell, Mason and Logan counties. The youngest was a 51-year-old woman from Lincoln County.
The report also includes deaths found in the Bureau of Public Health's data reconciliation with the death certificate. Among those were residents in Hancock, Berkeley, Lincoln, Morgan and Fayette counties from December to February. The youngest was a 45-year-old man from Morgan County.
"Every loss brings much grief to family and friends," department Secretary Bill J. Crouch said. "We must do our best to stop this deadly virus by choosing to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19."
Wood County is third in the number of deaths in the state with 335. Most of the deaths in the state have been in Kanawha County, 686, followed by Cabell with 358.
Death totals in other local counties are: Wirt, 23; Wetzel, 80; Tyler, 30; Roane, 36, Ritchie, 30; Pleasants, 34; Jackson, 131; Gilmer, 18; Doddridge, 18; Calhoun, 13.
Wood County is third highest in West Virginia for deaths. Most of the deaths in the state have been in Kanawha County, 686, followed by Cabell with 358.
The state reported 1,582 active cases on Tuesday, down from 1,909 on Monday. The state also reported 292 new cases were received since Monday's pandemic report.
Active cases have not been this low since at least July 2021. The highest number of active cases in the latest omicron variant surge in West Virginia was 21,717 on Jan. 22.
State health officials have yet to say the pandemic can be classified as an epidemic and while the declining numbers are encouraging, the virus can change at any time. Vaccinations and booster shots are still recommended.
Almost 54 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated as of Tuesday, the state said. Forty-three percent have received a boost dose.
Hospitalizations also have dropped below 400.
Of the 397 residents hospitalized with COVID-related infections, 228 are unvaccinated. Ninety-nine people are in an intensive care unit, 70 of those unvaccinated, and 55 are on a ventilator, 37 of those unvaccinated.
Five pediatric cases were reported on Tuesday with four in an ICU and one on a ventilator.