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CHARLESTON -- Active cases slightly rose again in West Virginia where the state is reporting another four deaths from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The Department of Health and Human Resources reported 358 active cases statewide, up from the 324 reported on Thursday. Cases were below 300, 263, a week ago.
Wood County active cases were 11 on Friday, no change from Thursday.
Active cases in other local counties on Friday (previous day) were: Calhoun 2 (2), Doddridge 0 (0), Gilmer 2 (2), Jackson 2 (3), Pleasants 1 (0), Ritchie 4 (5), Roane 3 (4), Tyler 1 (1), Wetzel 3 (2), Wirt 3 (2).
Another four deaths from the virus have been confirmed in Morgan, Harrison, Greenbrier and Kanawha counties. The youngest was a 26-year-old man in Kanawha County.
The death count since the pandemic started more than two years ago was at 6,753 deaths on Friday.
Condolences were expressed by Department Secretary Bill Crouch who again encouraged residents to get vaccinated and their booster shots.
"Vaccines are safe and effective, and if you are eligible, please do your part by scheduling a COVID vaccine and booster," he said.
The state reported 40 staff and 56 residents of long-term care facilities are active cases of the virus. Long-term care numbers are updated on Fridays.
In the Division of Corrections, the state reported two active staff and four active inmate cases. Two of the inmate cases are at the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County.
Hospitalizations continued to decline and were at 116 on Friday, 64 of those unvaccinated. Thirty-three patients are in an intensive care unit, 21 unvaccinated, and 16 are on a ventilator, 8 unvaccinated.
Three pediatric cases are in the hospital with one in an ICU.