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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.
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NEW STRATEGY IMPLEMENTED TO EXPAND VACCINE ACCESS
During Monday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia will be implementing several new ideas to make COVID-19 vaccines more accessible than ever, as part of comprehensive efforts to increase vaccination rates across the state.
“We are going to immediately begin taking the vaccine clinics to the unvaccinated by using fixed sites and mobile sites,” Gov. Justice said.
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The Governor announced that vaccination sites will be set up at several high-traffic locations across the state, including fairs and festivals, church parking lots, sporting events, state, national, and county parks, bars, restaurants, shopping centers, and malls, community and civic groups, and business organizations such as Main Street programs.
Vaccines will also be offered through organizations like the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services and other home health agencies, as well as through related programs such as Meals on Wheels.
Additionally, the Governor said that State health officials will collaborate with hospitals and healthcare facilities to vaccinate patients on discharge, move messaging through primary care providers, open up vaccine availability to doctor’s offices and practices, and encourage physicians and medical professionals to engage with their local community clubs and organizations to push vaccine messaging.
“We are going to focus on new communication strategies to be able to really target our younger people through social media and streaming services,” Gov. Justice said. “We’re also going to reach out to the local EMS agencies to enhance vaccination opportunities.”
The Governor added that he is encouraging local businesses to offer discounts for getting vaccinated or to provide other incentives to employees..
“If we have to go door-to-door, we’ll go door-to-door on community-based outreach as well,” Gov. Justice said. “Really and truly, we know these vaccines are incredibly safe and we know what can happen for those who are exposed and what is happening all across this land.
“We've got to do any and everything to be able to get our people finally across the top of the mountain.”
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ADDITIONAL VACCINE INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY
Also on Monday, Gov. Justice reminded West Virginians of multiple initiatives that are already underway to encourage more people to get vaccinated.
The Governor once again noted that, in order to curb the high number of younger West Virginians who remain unvaccinated, West Virginia is offering a $100 incentive to all residents ages 16-35 who choose to get vaccinated.
The Governor also reiterated his announcement Friday that free COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held at all West Virginia State Parks and State Forests between now and Memorial Day.
Several state park and forest locations will host clinics prior to Memorial Day. Then, on Memorial Day weekend, all West Virginia State Parks and Forests will offer vaccines to employees, employees’ families, and park guests. Further details will be posted at WVstateparks.com as they become available.
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CHILD CARE SUBSIDY EXTENSION
Also, Gov. Justice announced that he has extended child care subsidy assistance for all essential workers of any income level.
“It is critically important that all our essential workers continue to be supported in every way as they work to combat COVID-19,” Gov. Justice said. “This act of financial support enables our essential workers to know that we value their work, and gives them continued assurance of the safety and care provided to their children through West Virginia’s child care system.
“Thank you all for all you’ve done and all you continue to do in every way,” Gov. Justice continued. “We’re going to stand steadfast behind you and try to help you in every way we can.”
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VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UPDATE
Gov. Justice announced Monday that the State of West Virginia has now administered 1,284,646 vaccine doses out of a total allotment of 1,531,420 doses from the federal government; an overall administration rate of 83.9%.
West Virginia COVID-19 Dashboard (Click “Vaccine Summary” tab)
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Factoring in federal partnerships and other vaccination programs, more than 1.35 million vaccine doses have been administered to West Virginians to date.
Out of 1,474,615 eligible West Virginians, 788,414 (53.5%) have received at least one dose of vaccine, while 648,651 (44.0%) have been fully vaccinated.
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Vaccinations are now available to all West Virginians age 16 and older. However, West Virginians who are age 65 and older will continue to be prioritized first until all state residents in this age range who desire the vaccine have been vaccinated.
Out of the 367,011 West Virginians age 65 and older, 290,965 (79.3%) have received at least one dose of vaccine, while 257,795 (70.2%) have been fully vaccinated.
At the Governor’s direction, the Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) has established fixed-location vaccination clinics in Berkeley, Kanawha, and Monongalia counties to ensure that every West Virginian age 65 and older has access to a vaccine.
All West Virginians interested in being vaccinated are urged to pre-register for an appointment by visiting vaccinate.wv.gov or by calling 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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Vaccinations also 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 go to vaccinefinder.org for assistance in locating and securing an appointment at one of these federal pharmacy partners.
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The JIATF continues to reach out to manufacturers and businesses across the state to increase vaccine access for employees and their families choosing to be vaccinated by organizing vaccination clinics at these facilities.
Additionally, church leaders are still being 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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GOV. JUSTICE ANNOUNCES APRIL REVENUE COLLECTIONS IN AT ANOTHER SURPLUS
Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice reported that West Virginia’s general revenue collections for the month of April 2021 came in at $1.9 million above estimates and a whopping 38.9% above prior year receipts, despite the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the state’s economy.
West Virginia has now banked surpluses in four consecutive months and nine of the first 10 months of Fiscal Year 2021. Gov. Justice reported that year-to-date general revenue collections are $237.3 million above estimates and 8.4% above prior year receipts.
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“Just think about it – a $237 million surplus so far this year – that’s wonderful news, West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “Congratulations to all those that put in the licks to make that happen every day in West Virginia, especially our businesses, our workers all across this great state, and our team at the Department of Revenue.”
Total General Revenue Fund collections for the month of April were nearly $539.8 million.
Year-to-date collections have totaled more than $4.001 billion; $309.4 million above prior year receipts.
Click here to read monthly revenue and cash flow reports from the West Virginia State Budget Office
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COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS UPDATE
Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice reported that the current number of active cases in the state is now 7,201, up from 7,089 as of his previous COVID-19 briefing on Friday last week.
There have been 289 new positive cases over the past 24 hours.
The number of active hospitalizations in West Virginia is now 224, down from 242 on Friday last week. Of those currently hospitalized, 84 are in the ICU, up from 81 on Friday last week.
The cumulative percent of positive cases remains 5.15%.
Click here to view the latest COVID-19 data
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MONDAY MAP UPDATE
Also on 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: 3
Orange counties: 10
Gold counties: 3
Yellow counties: 12
Green counties: 27
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OUTBREAK REPORT
Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice reported that there are now eight active church-related outbreaks in West Virginia, up from seven such outbreaks as of his previous COVID-19 briefing on Friday last week. The active outbreaks are located in Berkeley, Grant, Greenbrier, Hardy, Jackson, Nicholas, and Ritchie counties and account for a total of 88 cases, up from 85 such cases on Friday last week.
There are now 16 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state, down from 17 such outbreaks as of Friday last week.
The Governor also reported that there are now 26 inmate cases across the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) system, down from 39 such cases last week. Meanwhile, there are now five active staff cases across the DCR system, down from seven last week. To view the latest DCR case update, click here.
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AGGRESSIVE TESTING CONTINUES ACROSS STATE
Also on Monday, Gov. Justice provided an overview of the 51 counties across the state that currently have free testing events scheduled through the Governor’s Aggressive Testing initiative.
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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 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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FACE COVERING REQUIREMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT
Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice provided a reminder that his Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement remains in effect.
All West Virginians age 9 and older must 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 requirement does not apply to anyone who has trouble breathing or is otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance, anyone who is at a restaurant and actively consuming food or drink, anyone alone in a closed or physically distanced room, or anyone actively engaged in physical activity indoors.
READ MORE: Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement
All businesses and organizations that invite the public into their facilities must post adequate signage advising guests of the face covering requirement and are responsible for enforcing the requirement to ensure it is being followed.
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.
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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.
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 may be able to be used as a 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.
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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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