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Online registration closes Oct. 5, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EDT
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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.
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ONE DAY LEFT TO REGISTER FOR “DO IT FOR BABYDOG: ROUND 2”
During Monday’s briefing, Gov. Justice reminded all West Virginia residents that there is only one day left to register to win big in the “Do it for Babydog: Round 2” vaccination sweepstakes.
West Virginians have until Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 11:59 p.m. EDT to get vaccinated and register at DoitforBabydog.wv.gov.
Among the final round of prizes is a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette, which will be given away at the Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop on Friday evening, Oct. 8.
“Somebody is going to win,” Gov. Justice said. “Please register, for crying out loud, and more importantly, go get yourself vaccinated.”
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Additional prizes – including five full ride college scholarships valued at over $100,000 each, a custom boat, a dream wedding valued at $150,000, free gas for 10 years, premium ATVs, top-of-the-line zero turn lawn mowers, WVU and Marshall University football or basketball season ticket packages, and season passes to West Virginia ski resorts – will be announced next Tuesday, Oct. 12.
*Those who previously registered for Round 1 of the vaccination sweepstakes are required to register again to be eligible for Round 2*
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ACTIVE CASE NUMBERS, HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND SEVERE CASES CONTINUE TO DECLINE
Also on Monday, Gov. Justice reported that there are now 12,284 active cases statewide; down by 1,730 cases since the Governor’s previous briefing on Friday last week.
The active case count is down by 17,460 cases since peaking just two-and-a-half weeks ago, dropping more than 58% in that timeframe.
COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov
Meanwhile, the state continues to see a small downward trend in the number of severe COVID cases. The number of hospitalizations, patients in ICUs, and patients on ventilators have all dropped between 9.1% and 9.6% since peaking in the final week of September.
The number of hospitalizations is now 915; down by 43 since Friday last week and down 9.6% from a peak of 1,012 on Sept. 24.
The number of patients in ICUs is now 269; down 9.1% from a peak of 296 on Sept. 29.
The number of patients on ventilators is now 177; down 9.2% from a peak of 195 on Sept. 25.
The County Alert System map now shows that 45 of the state’s 55 counties are in either the highest-risk Red category or one step below in the Orange category. Meanwhile, four counties are Gold, three counties are Yellow, and three counties are Green.
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GOV. JUSTICE URGES RESIDENTS TO GET BOOSTER SHOT IF ELIGIBLE
With the percentage of fully vaccinated residents hospitalized for COVID-19 slowly creeping higher in recent weeks, Gov. Justice took time during his briefing to encourage all West Virginians to determine if they qualify for a booster dose and then get one if they are eligible.
West Virginians who received specifically the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may qualify for the booster shot if it has been at least six months since their second dose.
The CDC recommends that:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings SHOULD receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second dose of Pfizer.
- People aged 50–64 years with *underlying medical conditions SHOULD receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second dose of Pfizer.
- People aged 18–49 years with *underlying medical conditions MAY receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second Pfizer dose, based on their individual benefits and risks.
- People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting MAY receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second Pfizer dose, based on their individual benefits and risks.
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* = Underlying medical conditions: State Coronavirus Czar Dr. Clay Marsh noted that the list of underlying medical conditions that would qualify an individual to receive the booster shot is extremely broad and includes anybody who is overweight, has high blood pressure, is a current or former smoker, has heart or lung conditions, is diabetic, is pregnant, has liver or kidney disease, has received a transplant, has cancer, has substance use disorder, has HIV, has had a stroke or other brain disorder, has dementia or other neurologic disease, has Down Syndrome, has sickle cell anemia, and more.
Click here to read more (via CDC)
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If you are eligible for the booster shot, you can go to any location offering COVID-19 vaccines with your vaccination card to receive the booster. If your card has been lost, you can request a new one from the DHHR.
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SCHOOL OUTBREAK REPORT
On Monday, Gov. Justice reported that, per the West Virginia Department of Education, there are currently 69 school outbreaks in 28 counties with 836 confirmed cases.
COVID-19 Outbreaks in State Public Schools (WVDE)
A total of 54 county school systems have either face covering requirements or a criteria for requiring face coverings. Only one county – Pocahontas County – does not have a face covering requirement at this time.
WV Department of Education COVID-19 Updates
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ADDITIONAL OUTBREAKS
There are now 77 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state.
Additionally, there are now 234 active inmate cases and 58 active staff cases across the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation system. To view the latest DCR case update, click here.
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WEST VIRGINIANS ENCOURAGED TO GET FLU VACCINE
With flu season just around the corner, Gov. Justice and State health officials took time Friday to 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.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS FROM ACROSS STATE INVITED TO EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING
Also on Monday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks about COVID-19 to announce that all law enforcement leaders from across West Virginia are invited to convene at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center on Oct. 20 for an emotional intelligence training called “Project EQ.”
Project EQ has been created to introduce law enforcement agencies to comprehensive emotional intelligence training.
“Emotional intelligence training is already taught to every basic officer and cadet being trained at the West Virginia State Police Academy, but there are a lot of other officers across the state who have not received this training,” Gov. Justice said. “Several of our State agencies are sponsoring this event, including the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, Department of Education, Jobs and Hope, and more.”
To learn more about the event and to register, go to the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security website.
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