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CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources will end its daily COVID-19 coronavirus updates, the department announced Friday.
The change coincides with the expiration of the federal public health emergency set to end on May 11, the department said. The state is updating the COVID-19 dashboard statistics to better reflect the current response to the pandemic, the department said.
As part of the change, COVID-19 dashboard updates will occur weekly on Wednesdays. The next COVID-19 update will be on Feb. 22.
Current active cases will no longer be included in the dashboard, the department said.
The risk levels determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all local counties in West Virginia is low.
Among recommendations for low-risk counties is to stay current with vaccines and boosters, avoid contact with people suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, isolate if infected or suspected to be and follow the recommendations for what to do if exposed to someone with COVID-19.
People can wear a mask at any time, the health agency said.
The state reported one death on Friday, a 50-year-old woman from Cabell County. The death toll was at 7,926 on Friday since the pandemic started three years ago.
"Staying up-to-date on COVID-19 boosters provides the best defense against the virus," Dr. Jeffrey H. Coben, interim department secretary, said. "We share our sympathies with the families and friends who have lost someone due to COVID-19."