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CHARLESTON -- Forty-four additional COVID-19 cases and nine deaths were reported since Thursday's update from the West Virginia Department of Health of Human Resources.
As of Friday morning, 1,044 COVID-19 cases were reported, an increase of 420 from the beginning of the week and the state's total of deaths reached 7,627, according to the DHHR.
Among the deaths were an 87-year-old female from Putnam County, an 86-year-old female from Marion County, a 73-year-old female from Raleigh County, an 87-year-old male from Ohio County, a 91-year-old female from Ohio County, a 42-year-old female from Berkeley County, a 72-year-old female from Berkeley County, a 93-year-old male from Cabell County and an 82-year-old female from Putnam County.
Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary, encourages people to stay up to date on the COVID vaccines.
"COVID vaccines and boosters are the best protection against the virus. I encourage West Virginians who are eligible for a vaccine or booster shot to schedule an appointment today," Crouch said.
Children 6 months and older are eligible for a vaccine and DHHR officials said they should receive the primary series of vaccines to teach "the body to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19."
An Omicron booster shot is recommended for everyone over 5 years of age to those who completed the primary series of shots with their most recent shot taking place at least two months ago.
The DHHR reported 160 statewide hospitalizations with 24 of those patients in the intensive care unit and four people on a ventilator as of Friday morning.
Nineteen counties including Tyler, Doddridge, Wetzel, Gilmer, Roane and Jackson are in the yellow on the County Alert map and the remaining 36 counties are in the green.
The following numbers were reported as of Friday morning in the regional counties: Wood, 46; Calhoun, 3; Doddridge, 6; Gilmer, 7; Jackson, 26; Pleasants, 3; Ritchie, 5; Tyler, 4 and Wirt, 2.