Office of the Governor > News > Press Releases > 2021 Press Releases > COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice: All eyes on West Virginia as 100% of vaccines received to date in arms or scheduled to be administered

COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice: All eyes on West Virginia as 100% of vaccines received to date in arms or scheduled to be administered

1/11/2021

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CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice joined West Virginia health leaders and other officials today for his latest daily press briefing regarding the State’s COVID-19 response.

WEST VIRGINIA CONTINUES TO SET THE BAR FOR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION During his Monday press briefing, Gov. Justice reported that West Virginia continues to lead the nation in the rate of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. As of Monday, 92,070 1st doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 13,469 second doses have been administered, totaling 105,539 doses distributed statewide.  Gov. Justice announced that 100% of the first-doses of vaccine West Virginia has received from the federal government up to today have either been administered or are scheduled to be administered to a specific person this week. “West Virginia knew how to move without a playbook. We knew how to move to get things done,” Gov. Justice said. “We are accomplishing some really wonderful things and I know we will continue to lead the pack in terms of caring for our people.”

More info: vaccinate.wv.gov

WEST VIRGINIA RANKED #1 IN NATIONAL COVID-19 VACCINATION TRACKER Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice once again highlighted the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccination Tracker, noting that West Virginia continues to be the top-ranked state in the entire nation for vaccine distribution on a per capita basis.

NATIONAL MEDIA RECOGNITION As West Virginia continues to succeed with vaccine distribution and administration, Gov. Justice was asked to join CNBC’s Squawk on the Street to talk about the steps the state is taking to protect its citizens. The Governor also highlighted several national news articles recognizing West Virginia's success with COVID-19 vaccine distribution.  David Clement: How West Virginia, one of America’s poorest and most rural states, became a leader in rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine ​

Why West Virginia's Winning The Race To Get COVID-19 Vaccine Into Arms

“As the world sees West Virginia leading, it drives people to us,” Gov. Justice said. “It makes people want to come to us and it changes our image. It does so much good for the state.”

COVID-19 DASHBOARD UPDATE Gov. Justice announced that a new tab has been added to the West Virginia COVID-19 dashboard. The new tab shows a variety of data including total number of first doses administered and total number of fully vaccinated individuals.

COVID-19 VACCINE INFO LINE REMINDER Also on Monday, Gov. Justice provided a reminder that the State has launched a new COVID-19 Vaccine Info Line to help West Virginians get information on the distribution process and availability of COVID-19 vaccines. VACCINE INFO LINE: 1-833-734-0965 The line operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Visit vaccinate.wv.gov for more information, including details on vaccine availability and other frequently asked questions.

SCHOOL AND SPORTS EXECUTIVE ORDERS During Monday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that he issued an executive order establishing that all West Virginia public and private elementary and middle schools may reopen to in-person learning five days each week beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. All high schools will remain closed to in person classes and extracurricular activities if the school's county is in the red on the DHHR County Alert System.  Additionally, Gov. Justice issued another executive order announcing that winter sports teams will be able to begin practicing on February 14th, with games beginning on March 3rd. Additional guidance will be published by the West Virginia Department of Education later this week.

COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS UPDATE Also on Monday, Gov. Justice reported that the current number of active cases in the state is now 29,257, up from 28,189 active cases during the Governor’s previous COVID-19 briefing on Friday January 8. West Virginia has recorded 1,070 new positive cases over the past 24 hours. The number of active hospitalizations is now 755 patients, down from 787 on Friday, with 212 of those patients currently in the ICU. The cumulative percent of positive cases has now reached 5.38%. Click here to view the latest COVID-19 data As of Monday afternoon, the statewide rate of COVID-19 transmission – also known as Rt – decreased to .97; ranking West Virginia as the 7th-best such rate of any state in the country.

MONDAY MAP UPDATE Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice provided a look at West Virginia’s latest mid-week County Alert System map update. The map is updated live on the DHHR’s COVID-19 Dashboard (Click "County Alert System" tab) throughout the week. Red counties: 42 (Barbour, Berkeley, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Summers, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood, Wyoming) Orange counties: 11 (Cabell, Calhoun, Fayette, Kanawha, Lewis, Monongalia, Putnam, Pleasants, Roane, Tucker, Webster) Gold counties: 2 (Clay, McDowell) Yellow counties: 0 Green counties: 0

​ DHHR’s COVID-19 Dashboard (Click "County Alert System" tab)

OUTBREAK REPORT Also on Monday, Gov. Justice reported that, per the West Virginia Department of Education, there remain four active outbreaks in public schools across the state. These outbreaks account for 15 confirmed cases. Click here to view the WVDE’s Current Outbreaks in Schools chart West Virginia has 14 active church-related outbreaks across nine counties: Harrison, Jackson, Marion, McDowell, Mingo, Monongalia, Nicholas, Summers, and Upshur counties. These outbreaks account for a total of 132 cases. There are now 111 outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state. The Governor also reported that there are now 404 active inmate cases across the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) system. Among the cases that are currently active, 290 are at Tygart Valley Regional Jail, 80 are at Saint Marys Correctional Center. There are 57 active staff cases across the DCR system. Click here to view the latest corrections facility update

AGGRESSIVE TESTING CONTINUES ACROSS STATE Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice provided an overview of the 50 counties across the state that have free testing events scheduled through the Governor’s Aggressive Testing initiative. This testing is available to all residents, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Attendees should bring identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, to help in returning test results. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

An interactive online map of all free testing locations across West Virginia is available on the state’s COVID-19 website. Users can filter the map by type of testing site, including daily testing events, recurring testing events, as well as Walgreens and Fruth Pharmacy testing locations. Users can also filter by county. Each location is marked on the map with a pin. After finding a testing location nearby, users are able to click on the pin for more information about that particular testing site, including the specific location and timeframe during which testing will be held. Click here to view all locations, dates, times, and more details

UPDATED FACE COVERING REQUIREMENT IN EFFECT; SIGNS AVAILABLE FOR BUSINESSES Also on Monday, Gov. Justice provided a reminder that his broadened Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement remains in effect. The order requires all West Virginians age 9 and older to wear a face covering at all times inside all indoor public places, regardless of whether or not they are able to maintain proper social distance. The order requires that all businesses and organizations that invite the public into their facilities must post adequate signage advising guests of the requirement and are also responsible for enforcing the requirement to ensure it is being followed. Click here to read more details about the face covering requirement Posters are available on the DHHR’s online Face Covering Toolkit for businesses or organizations to print and display. Social media graphics are also available for download and use by the general public.

MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT REMINDER Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice offered a reminder that West Virginia plans to begin utilizing monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 more frequently, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent emergency authorization of the treatment. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off viruses. The Governor again urged all West Virginians over the age of 65 who test positive to ask their doctor if they qualify for this type of treatment.

WEST VIRGINIANS CALLED UPON TO DONATE BLOOD AND PLASMA Also on Monday, Gov. Justice once again encouraged all West Virginians to consider donating blood and plasma through the American Red Cross. In the Governor’s recent call with the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Vice President Mike Pence said that there is still a shortage of plasma and blood all across the nation. Those fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis may have plasma in their blood containing COVID-19 antibodies that can attack this virus. This plasma is being evaluated as a possible treatment for currently ill COVID-19 patients. For more information, visit redcross.org or call the local American Red Cross offices at 304-340-3650.

FLU VACCINE REMINDER Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks on COVID-19 to remind and encourage all West Virginians to get their flu vaccine. According to health officials, everyone 6 months and older should receive this vaccine. In addition to providing protection from the flu, this vaccine helps reduce the burden on hospitals and healthcare systems. Locate a flu vaccine near you through the DHHR website.

FLAG ORDER Gov. Justice also issued a proclamation Sunday ordering that all United States and West Virginia flags on all State-owned facilities be displayed at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. The proclamation was established to honor of the life and service of United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. View the proclamation here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Click here to view all Executive Orders and other actions taken by Gov. Justice to combat the spread of COVID-19 in West Virginia. For more information about COVID-19 prevention and more, call the State’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or visit Coronavirus.wv.gov.

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