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West Virginia: Active COVID cases edge past 900 again

CHARLESTON — Statewide active cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus were above 900 on Friday, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources said.

Friday’s pandemic report said there were 903 active cases across the state while 249 new positive cases of the virus were received in the 24-hour period between Thursday and Friday mornings.

The state reported 861 active cases on Thursday. While health officials believe West Virginia may have peaked on the number of cases, colder weather may cause an increase in numbers as people stay indoors.

Thirteen people have died since the last report on Thursday, the state said. The youngest was a 45-year-old woman from Mercer County, the department said.

The department also confirmed the deaths of a 78-year-old woman from Raleigh County, an 80-year-old woman from Cabell County, a 64-year-old man from Taylor County, a 67-year-old woman from Wyoming County, a 91-year-old man from Brooke County, a 72-year-old woman from Mercer County, a 97-year-old woman from Raleigh County, a 96-year-old woman from Jefferson County, a 70-year-old woman from Kanawha County, a 73-year-old woman from Taylor County, a 72-year-old woman from Monongalia County and a 99-year-old woman from Raleigh County.

“The more people who choose to get vaccinated and boosted, the safer everyone can be,” department Secretary Bill J. Crouch said. “COVID vaccines and boosters are widely available, free and easy to schedule.”

Twelve counties are yellow on the County Alert System Map based on infection rates. Yellow is the second lowest. Green is the lowest.

In this region, Tyler, Ritchie, Gilmer and Roane are yellow. All others are green as are all other counties in the state.

Current active cases in local counties (last report) are: Calhoun 3 (1), Doddridge 2 (2), Gilmer 5 (3), Jackson 13 (11), Pleasants 4 (3), Ritchie 4 (2), Roane 12 (12), Tyler 5 (7), Wetzel 2 (2), Wirt 1 (1), Wood 46 (47).

The state reported 187 patients are in a hospital with COVID complications. Forty-three are in an intensive care unit and 16 are on a ventilator. Five pediatric cases with one in an ICU also were reported.

Most Mid-Ohio Valley counties were listed as “medium” on the COVID Community Level guidelines released weekly by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and based on new cases per 100,000 people and hospitalization statistics in the previous seven days. In counties with that designation, people at greater risk for serious illness are advised to consult with their health care provider about precautions like masking.

Tyler and Wetzel counties were listed as “low,” in which the CDC recommends people keep up with vaccinations and boosters and get tested if they have symptoms of COVID.

No local counties were classified as “high,” where the CDC recommends people war masks in indoor, public spaces.

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