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West Virginia sees slight increase in COVID hospitalizations, infections

CHARLESTON — Hospitalizations slightly increased again in the 24 hours between Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

The department in its Wednesday morning pandemic update reported 349 people were in a hospital, 186 of those unvaccinated, up 12 from 337 on Tuesday.

Fifty-three patients are in an intensive care unit, 34 unvaccinated. Forty-nine patients were in an ICU on Tuesday.

Fourteen patients are on ventilators, five unvaccinated.

Six confirmed deaths were reported between Tuesday and Wednesday, raising the death toll to 7,169 residents since the pandemic started more than two years ago.

The deaths included a 74-year-old man from Jackson County, a 65-year-old woman from Hardy County, an 86-year-old man from Marshall County, a 51-year-old man from Mercer County, an 86-year-old man from Kanawha County and an 85-year-old woman from Braxton County.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to all grieving the loss of their loved ones,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “Please schedule a COVID-19 vaccine or booster today to protect yourself and those around you.”

Active cases as of Wednesday were 3,166 statewide, up 55 from Tuesday.

Active case numbers of local counties on Wednesday (previous report) were: Calhoun, 8 (8); Doddridge, 8 (8); Gilmer, 11 (9); Jackson, 36 (24); Pleasants, 9 (9); Ritchie, 16 (19); Roane, 38 (33); Tyler, 12 (8); Wetzel, 12 (15); Wirt, 11 (13); and Wood, 194 (180).

Ten of the 55 counties are green, the lowest level of infection spread on the County Alert System Map. All other counties are yellow, second lowest.

Locally, Wetzel and Jackson are green.

Fifty-four staff and 72 inmates are infected, the Division of Corrections said. Sixteen inmates are at North Central Regional Jail and two are at the St. Marys Correctional Center.

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