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Staff Report
CHARLESTON -- Active COVID-19 cases significantly dropped over the Columbus Day weekend in West Virginia, according to Tuesday's statistics from the Department of Health and Human Resources.
Statewide, the department reported 833 active case of the virus, down from 1,022 cited in Friday' pandemic report. The state also reported 795 new cases of the virus were received since the last report on Friday.
The number of cases has not been in the 850-range since the last week of April and in May. State health officials believe West Virginia may be passed the peak in cases and are on a downward trend.
Current active cases in local counties (last report) are: Calhoun 3 (3), Doddridge 2 (5), Gilmer 1 (3), Jackson 7 (14), Pleasants 4 (5), Ritchie (4), Roane 9 (6), Tyler 5 (5), Wetzel 2 (1), Wirt 0 (3), Wood 43 (48).
Twelve counties in West Virginia are yellow, second lowest, on the County Alert System map that is based on infection rates. All other counties are green, the lowest level.
"We're thankful for that, for sure," Gov. Jim Justice said during his pandemic briefing on Tuesday.
Ritchie County is the only yellow county in the region.
No counties are orange or red, the highest levels of infections, on the map.
The classification on the map is based on the lower of two measurements, infection rate and percent positivity, which are classified in ascending order of severity, green, yellow, gold, orange and red.
Wood and Tyler counties have percent positivity in the yellow range while Wetzel, Roane, Pleasants and Calhoun counties have infection rates in the yellow zone.
No deaths were reported since the last report on Friday. The death toll remains at 7,450.
The state reported 184 patients are in a hospital with COVID complications. Thirty one are in an intensive care unit and 13 are on a ventilator. Seven pediatric cases with one in an ICU and one on a ventilator also were reported.
Justice again encouraged residents to get vaccinated and get their booster shots.
"The more we get vaccinated, the less will die," he said.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available for West Virginians 6 months and older. After the primary vaccinations, those 5-11 are recommended to get an original (monovalent) booster shot when due and those 12 and older are recommended to get an omicron booster shot (bivalent) at least two months after completing their primary series.