Office of the Governor > News > Press Releases > 2021 Press Releases > COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice directs state health officials to continue monitoring Omicron numbers and hospital bed availability

COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice directs state health officials to continue monitoring Omicron numbers and hospital bed availability

12/30/2021

 

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CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice and members of the West Virginia COVID-19 pandemic response leadership team held another news briefing today to update the public on the State’s latest pandemic response efforts. OMICRON VARIANT UPDATE Gov. Justice announced today that, with the number of Omicron variant cases climbing across the country, he has directed state health officials and his COVID-19 response team to continue closely monitoring case numbers along with the state’s hospital bed availability. “We only have 18 cases, but we know it’s absolutely moving. It’s going to get higher,” Gov. Justice said. “I’ve directed my team to keep a close watch and provide me with recommendations about our hospitals and our critical care infrastructure. “The bottom line is that we need to save lives, protect our hospitals, and protect our ability to care for our people,” Gov. Justice continued. “It is absolutely essential that we be concerned about the possibility that we could get into a situation where our hospitals are overrun.” The Governor added that West Virginians can do their part to lessen the load on hospitals by getting vaccinated or boosted to protect against serious COVID infection. “You really need to step up and get yourself vaccinated or get that booster shot,” Gov. Justice said. VIEW PHOTO ALBUM GET VACCINATED / GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOT Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available for everyone ages 5 and older. West Virginians interested in being vaccinated or having their children vaccinated are encouraged to visit Vaccinate.wv.gov or call the West Virginia Vaccine Info Line: 1-833-734-0965. Free booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are available for all eligible West Virginians (CDC guidance). A booster dose is recommended if at least six months have passed since you received your initial two-dose series of the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines or if at least two months have passed since you received your initial one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. West Virginians can go to any location offering COVID-19 vaccines with their vaccination card to receive their booster. If your card has been lost, you can request a new one from the DHHR. FIND A VACCINE NEAR YOU CASE NUMBERS & HOSPITALIZATIONS UPDATE On Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that there are now 11,017 active cases of COVID-19 statewide. The cumulative percent positivity rate stands at 6.48%. A total of 1,103,314 West Virginians – 64.9% of the eligible population ages 5 and older – have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Booster doses have now been administered to 317,638 people – or 34.6% of West Virginians who have received both doses of the Pfizer/Moderna vaccine series or their dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov An updated breakdown of the West Virginia County Alert Map is as follows: Red (30) | Orange (15) | Gold (5) | Yellow (1) | Green (4) Gov. Justice also reported that, per the West Virginia Department of Education, there are currently 22 school outbreaks in 15 counties with 272 confirmed cases. COVID-19 Outbreaks in State Public Schools (WVDE) COVID-19 RESOURCES Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program West Virginia Nursing Workforce Expansion Program Vaccine Information | Vaccinate.wv.gov Vaccine Info Line: 1-833-734-0965 COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov WV COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-887-4304 “Do it for Babydog” Vaccination Sweepstakes WV Department of Education COVID-19 Updates Free COVID-19 Testing COVID-19 News Executive Orders & Other Actions COVID-19 Transparency (WV State Auditor’s Office) Flu Vaccine Information (DHHR) Donate Blood & Plasma (American Red Cross) Local Red Cross Offices: 304-340-3650 GOV. JUSTICE DECLARES STATE OF PREPAREDNESS FOR ALL 55 COUNTIES IN WEST VIRGINIA Additionally Thursday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks about COVID-19 to announce that he has declared a State of Preparedness for all 55 counties in West Virginia due to the threat of flooding from additional rainfall this weekend.  Click here to view State of Preparedness proclamation Most of the state will see heavy rain on Saturday. Then, a cold front is expected to drop temperatures below freezing by Sunday evening, bringing the potential for snow or ice. The Governor has directed the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the state’s response and prepare for resources to be activated. The West Virginia Emergency Management Division will coordinate with all county and local emergency management officials and provide updates. GOV. JUSTICE MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER STATE SENATOR SUE CLINE Gov. Justice also took time Thursday to offer his prayers and condolences after the passing of former West Virginia State Senator Sue Cline. “Sue was not only a great senator, but a friend,” Gov. Justice “I knew Sue really well. I know how she championed all kinds of things in the southern coalfields and how fiercely loyal she was to the great people of Wyoming County. “She was a beautiful lady that was really passionate about all the folks from where she grew up and gave back to her community an awful lot,” Gov. Justice continued. “Please remember Sue and her family in your prayers.” The Governor went on to announce that he will be issuing a proclamation to lower all U.S. and West Virginia flags at the State Capitol and in Wyoming County to half-staff once the date of Cline’s services has been set. Share Tweet Forward

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