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CHARLESTON -- Hospitalizations increased while active cases dipped, according to Wednesday's COVID-19 update from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
There were 330 patients with the virus in the state's hospitals, compared to 312 a day earlier. More than half -- 182 -- are classified as vaccinated, although that only takes into account the initial two doses (or one for the Johnson and Johnson shot), not any recommended booster shots.
The number of patients in intensive care units declined from 49 to 39, with 28 vaccinated. Six are on ventilators, all of them vaccinated.
There were 870 new cases reported since Tuesday's update, but an overall decline of active cases from 2,817 to 2,780.
Eight deaths were attributed to the virus, ranging from a 72-year-old Fayette County woman to a 94-year-old Clay County man. That brings West Virginia's total fatalities since the start of the pandemic to 7,099.
"As we extend our deepest sympathies to their loved ones, we also encourage all West Virginians to recognize the continued need to take every possible step to slow the spread of this disease, including vaccination and booster shots," DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch said.
Active cases in local counties on Wednesday (Tuesday) were: Calhoun, 7 (8); Doddridge, 7 (6); Gilmer, 11 (10); Jackson, 22 (21); Pleasants, 14 (15); Ritchie, 8 (8); Roane, 20 (20); Tyler, 8 (6); Wetzel, 20 (22); Wirt, 3 (2); Wood, 132 (133).
A majority of West Virginia counties, 40, were yellow on the County Alert System map. That's the second-lowest of the five tiers on the scale based on the number of new cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days or percentage of positive tests, whichever is lower.
All Mid-Ohio Valley counties were yellow except Jackson and Wirt, which were among 13 on the lowest level of the scale, green. McDowell and Webster counties were gold, the middle tier.