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West Virginia reports spike in active COVID cases

CHARLESTON — Active COVID-19 cases in West Virginia made a steep increase between Thursday and Friday, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources said.

Active cases were at 3,187 on Friday, up 366 from Thursday’s county, according to the Friday morning pandemic update from the department. Cases rose nearly 200 statewide between Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

The department also reported 1,060 new cases of the virus have been received in the 24-hour period between the Thursday and Friday updates.

The increase in cases is reflected on the County Alert System Map where there are five gold counties, mid-level on the map based on infection rates and spread, four more than on Thursday.

Only eight of the 55 counties are green, the lowest level of alert on the map. All other counties are yellow, second lowest.

In this region, Pleasants, Tyler, Doddridge and Wirt counties are green.

Wood County for the second consecutive day increased in active cases by more than 20. According to the state, 167 cases were active on Friday compared to 143 on Thursday.

Current active cases in local counties (previous day) were: Calhoun 12 (10), Doddridge 5 (6), Gilmer 17 (18), Jackson 40 (29), Pleasants 5 (4), Ritchie 12 (9), Roane 17 (16), Tyler 8 (5), Wetzel 19 (21), Wirt 4 (4), and Wood 167 (143).

The Centers for Disease Control has released its weekly COVID Community Levels update. The alert increased for three Mid-Ohio Valley counties, with the others remaining high.

All area counties except Tyler were rated as high when the levels were updated Thursday. Tyler was considered medium, in which people at higher risk for serious illness are advised to consult with their health care provider about whether to mask or take other precautions. Calhoun and Pleasants counties were in that category last week but returned to high. Tyler had been low, where masks are only recommended on public transportation.

The levels take into account new COVID cases and hospital admissions related to the virus in the preceding seven days to recommend precautions people should take, primarily focusing on masking. In counties rated “high,” people are advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.

Seven more deaths were reported on Friday. The count since the pandemic started was 7,268 deaths attributed to COVID-19 on Friday.

The department has confirmed the deaths of a 71-year-old woman from Wayne County, an 83-year-old woman from Kanawha County, an 89-year-old man from Marshall County, a 75-year-old man from Lincoln County, a 77-year-old woman from Summers County, a 92-year-old woman from Wood County and an 82-year-old man from Kanawha County.

“West Virginia’s end of summer weekends are a wonderful time to enjoy with family and friends,” said department Secretary Bill J. Crouch. “Before gathering for picnics, sporting events and family reunions, take the extra steps to safeguard good health by staying up to date on your COVID vaccine and booster.”

The department updated the statistics for long-term care facilities on Friday. The state reported 407 staff and 563 residents had the virus.

Local cases reported were: 12 in Mountain View Care Center in Jackson County; nine at Ravenswood Village; six at Stonerise Belmont; 17 at New Martinsville Center; two at Parkersburg Center; four at Stonerise Parkersburg; four at Willows Center; and five at Worthington Healthcare Center.

Forty-two staff and 144 inmates, 17 more than Thursday, have the virus, the Division of Corrections said. Eight cases are at North Central Regional Jail, two are at the St. Marys Correctional Center and two are at Parkersburg Community Corrections.

Hospitalizations statewide dropped to 299 on Friday. Forty-seven patients were in an intensive care unit and 13 were on a ventilator.

Eleven pediatric patients were in the hospital with four in an ICU and one on a ventilator.

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