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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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WEST VIRGINIA SURPASSES 60% VACCINATION RATE, CLOSING IN ON GOALS
During Thursday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that over 60.1% of all West Virginians who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine have now received at least one dose. To date, 936,453 of 1,557,837 vaccine-eligible West Virginians have received their first shot.
“We’ve crossed a milestone; I knew we would,” Gov. Justice said. “It’s fabulous, fabulous, fabulous.”
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As part of the Governor’s recently announced “Call to Arms” vaccine initiative, State COVID-19 pandemic response leaders have set a goal of administering at least one dose of the vaccine to 65% of all eligible residents ages 12 and older by West Virginia’s 158th birthday on June 20, 2021.
Pandemic response leaders also set goals of administering at least one dose of the vaccine to 75% of residents ages 50 and older and 85% of residents ages 65 and older. West Virginia has already surpassed one of these marks, reaching a 76% vaccination rate in the 50+ age range. The State is also now less than three-tenths of a percent from achieving its goal in the 65+ age range, reaching a 84.7% vaccination rate in this category.
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“Look at where we’re going. It’s great stuff; really good stuff,” Gov. Justice said. “The only stipulation is we’ve got to stop the deaths. We can do it. You need to step up and get vaccinated.”
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“DO IT FOR BABYDOG” SWEEPSTAKES: ALL VACCINATED WEST VIRGINIANS CAN NOW REGISTER TO WIN BIG
Once again on Thursday, Gov. Justice offered a reminder that online registration is now open for the Governor’s “Do it for Babydog: Save a life, Change a life” vaccination lottery. More than 70,000 West Virginians have already registered to win one of several major prizes that will be given away in the upcoming sweepstakes.
The prize giveaways include a $1.588 million grand prize, a $588,000 second prize, weekly drawings for $1 million, full scholarships to any West Virginia state college or university, custom-outfitted trucks, weekend vacations at state parks, lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, and custom hunting rifles and shotguns.
All West Virginians ages 12 and older who have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to register by visiting Doitforbabydog.wv.gov.
Lottery drawings will begin later this month with the first drawing scheduled to be held on Sunday, June 20 – also known as West Virginia Day in honor of the State’s birthday – with additional drawings continuing through Wednesday, Aug. 4.
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VACCINATED WEST VIRGINIANS AGES 16-35 CAN REGISTER TO RECEIVE $100 SAVINGS BOND OR $100 GIFT CARD
On Thursday, Gov. Justice also offered a reminder that online registration is open for his “Beat 588...Bad” West Virginia Strong Vaccine Incentive Program.
All West Virginians ages 16-35 who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are able to register online to receive either a $100 savings bond or a $100 gift card.
The $100 incentive is retroactive, meaning all West Virginians ages 16-35 who have received the COVID-19 vaccine at any point are eligible.
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VACCINE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to all West Virginians ages 12 and older.
All West Virginians interested in being vaccinated are urged to visit Vaccinate.wv.gov or call the West Virginia Vaccine Info Line: 1-833-734-0965. The info line is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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At the direction of Gov. Justice, West Virginia continues to expand vaccine access in innovative new ways, including setting up vaccination sites at several high-traffic locations across the state, offering vaccines through senior organizations, collaborating with hospitals and healthcare facilities to vaccinate patients, communicating vaccination information with younger West Virginians through social media and streaming services, and much more.
In addition to clinic locations, vaccinations continue to be made available at Walgreens locations, the Med Shoppe/Leader network of pharmacies, Walmart locations, and additional independent pharmacies throughout the state as part of the federal pharmacy partnership in West Virginia.
West Virginians can visit vaccines.gov for assistance in locating and securing an appointment at one of these federal pharmacy partners.
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The Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) on COVID-19 vaccines continues to ask manufacturers and businesses across the state to increase vaccine access for employees and their families by reaching out to the JIATF to organize vaccination clinics at their facilities. Additionally, church leaders are still urged to contact the JIATF for help organizing vaccination clinics for interested members of their congregations.
Anyone interested in organizing one of these vaccination clinics is asked to contact the West Virginia Vaccine Info Line: 1-833-734-0965.
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FACE COVERING REQUIREMENT LIFTED FOR FULLY VACCINATED WEST VIRGINIANS ONLY
Gov. Justice recently modified West Virginia’s face covering requirement to align with updated CDC guidance, which says that anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, regardless of crowd size.
The lifting of the face covering requirement only applies to those who have been fully vaccinated; meaning that at least two weeks have elapsed since the administration of a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or that at least two weeks have elapsed since the administration of a first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement is still in effect for all West Virginians who are not yet fully vaccinated, and will remain in effect for these individuals until June 20, 2021.
Face coverings must still be worn where required by federal law. Additionally, any private business or school system can still require individuals to wear a face covering.
As part of the Governor’s recently announced “Call to Arms” vaccine initiative, State COVID-19 pandemic response leaders have set goals of vaccinating 65% of all eligible West Virginians, 75% of West Virginians age 50 and older, and 85% of West Virginians age 65 and older with at least one dose by West Virginia’s 158th birthday on June 20, 2021; the same day that the Governor plans to lift the Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement for all residents.
According to the CDC, currently authorized vaccines in the United States are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have asymptomatic infection or transmit COVID-19 to others.
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OUTBREAK REPORT: ZERO ACTIVE CASES AMONG INMATES
On Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that there are now zero active inmate cases across the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) system.
Meanwhile, there are now just two active staff cases across the DCR system, down from three such cases as of the Governor’s previous COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday. To view the latest DCR case update, click here.
There are now four active church-related outbreaks in West Virginia, down from seven such outbreaks as of Tuesday. The active outbreaks are located in Monroe, Nicholas, and Pendleton counties and account for a total of 38 cases, down from 52 such cases as of Tuesday.
Additionally, there are now five active outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state, down from six such outbreaks on Tuesday.
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COVID-19 DATA AVAILABLE AT CORONAVIRUS.WV.GOV
For more information about West Virginia’s latest COVID-19-related data, visit the West Virginia COVID-19 Dashboard at Coronavirus.wv.gov.
The dashboard provides a detailed breakdown of case numbers, vaccination data, and more; including the color-coded County Alert Map system, hospitalization data, and several additional features.
The dashboard is updated Monday-Friday at 10 a.m.
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COVID-19 TESTING STILL AVAILABLE ACROSS STATE
Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice provided an overview of the 51 counties across the state that currently have free COVID-19 testing sites available through the Governor’s Aggressive Testing initiative.
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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 online. Users can filter the map by type of testing site or 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
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GOV. JUSTICE ANNOUNCES WEST VIRGINIA’S FREE FISHING WEEKEND TO TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Additionally Thursday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks about COVID-19 to offer a reminder that West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend is set to return this Saturday, June 12, and Sunday, June 13.
During these two days, residents and nonresidents are able to fish in West Virginia for free. The annual event gives novice and returning anglers the opportunity to fish without a license.
“Get out and go fishing. Enjoy these couple of days,” Gov. Justice said. “It will be something that you’ll want to continue on doing, and we’ll love having you in West Virginia. It is totally unbelievable what this great state has to offer. This state has so much beauty, it will touch your soul in every way.”
Click here to read more
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GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES TECH COMPANY DATAROBOT TO OPEN OFFICE IN MORGANTOWN
Gov. Justice also took time to offer a reminder of his announcement yesterday that leading tech company DataRobot is opening a new office in Vantage Ventures in Morgantown.
DataRobot is an Augmented Intelligence company that helps other companies better understand their data.
In addition to opening office space and hiring locally, DataRobot and West Virginia University are beginning to work together on the formation of a national center, based in West Virginia, that will provide technologically-focused solutions on critical pandemic and emergency response and preparedness and rural health.
Click here to read more
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GOV. JUSTICE ANNOUNCES ANOTHER MOMENTOUS ROAD BOND SALE FOR WV PARKWAYS TOLL REVENUE BONDS
Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice took time to announce that the West Virginia Parkways Authority priced its second tranche of Toll Revenue Bonds under the Governor’s Roads To Prosperity program, and its $333 million bond offering saw an overwhelming $3.8 billion in investor orders.
The investor demand for the bonds was 11.6-times the bond offering, which allowed the Parkways Authority to drive down the interest rate on the bonds and secure a 2.62% all-in cost of borrowing on its 30-year bonds.
The demand for the bonds was able to produce a $90 million premium on the issuance for a total bond sale of $423 million.
“We got a $90 million premium – free money – because the outside world believes in what we’re doing in West Virginia and we decided to go to the market,” Gov. Justice said. “We pushed the right buttons and did the right things. It's the result of a lot of good work, and I couldn’t be any happier.”
Click here to read more
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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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