Office of the Governor > News > Press Releases > 2021 Press Releases > COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice announces new online vaccination scheduling system; clinics to be made available in all 55 counties by February

COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice announces new online vaccination scheduling system; clinics to be made available in all 55 counties by February

1/21/2021

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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.

ONLINE VACCINATION SCHEDULING SYSTEM TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT WEEK During today’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that, beginning next Monday, West Virginians will be able to access a new online vaccination scheduling and distribution communication tool that will notify residents about the availability of vaccine doses to help streamline vaccination efforts statewide. West Virginia will be the first state in the nation to utilize this type of digital vaccination scheduling system when it launches on Monday, Jan. 25, at 8 a.m. The tool is through a company called Everbridge, which helps states notify their citizens when there is a fire, flood, or a hurricane.

“Now, they are going to help us coordinate vaccines as we get them from the federal government,” Gov. Justice said. “This system gives you the ability to put your information in directly and helps us coordinate, when vaccines are available, to notify you when and where to come to get your vaccine. “This will keep people from having to call our health departments time and time again and overwhelming our phone lines,” Gov. Justice continued. “I'm trying every way in the world I possibly can to make things easier and better for you, because I don't like the fact that you're having to call and call and call in the current system.”

Beginning Monday, all West Virginians age 65 and older will be able to access the tool through vaccinate.wv.gov to manually add their information themselves.

Those who don’t want to go online, can still call the West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine Info Line (1-833-734-0965) or their local vaccine distribution location to be signed up by an operator. “Staff will put your information into the system so that, when vaccines are available, we will be able to notify you about the availability of vaccines,” Gov. Justice said. “Whatever way you want us to notify you about availability, this system will allow you to pick that.” Users will get a message after registering to confirm they are in the system, and will be sent updates regularly. The system sends texts, email, and phone calls. “I am excited to get this system in place and I truly hope it will be a big benefit to West Virginians so that we can continue to lead the nation in getting vaccines in arms,” Gov. Justice said.

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PUBLIC VACCINATION CLINICS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN ALL 55 WEST VIRGINIA COUNTIES BY FEBRUARY Additionally Thursday, Gov. Justice announced that the community vaccination clinic model will be expanded to serve all 55 counties in West Virginia by Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. “We're trying to get these out and get them as many arms as we possibly can get them,” Gov. Justice said. “We're now going to expand to all of our counties, and this is to make sure that our limited supply of COVID vaccines are reaching every corner of this state.” For now, free vaccination clinics for West Virginians age 65 and older are being held this week in Berkeley, Braxton, Cabell, Greenbrier, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Kanawha, Logan, Marshall, Mercer, Monongalia, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Randolph, and Wood counties. Residents from any county in West Virginia may access an appointment at any vaccination clinic with availability, regardless of their county of residence. However, many clinics are full at this time and are utilizing waitlists. All clinics require appointments and walk-ins will not be accepted. Visit vaccinate.wv.gov for all current clinic locations and schedules

ADDITIONAL VACCINATION CLINICS AVAILABLE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS THIS WEEK Also today, Gov. Justice announced that 15 new community vaccination clinics will be held this Friday, Jan. 22, and Saturday, Jan. 23, specifically to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers across West Virginia. This includes those in fields such as behavioral health, dentists, physical and occupational therapists, hospice and home health workers, as well as EMS and CPS workers. “We’ll be using our successful community vaccination clinic model to continue to get vaccines to the critical frontline healthcare workers, who have been serving us through this whole pandemic,” Gov. Justice said. The Governor added that the goal is to offer vaccines to over 12,000 such individuals. The vaccination clinics will be held in Berkeley, Braxton, Cabell, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Kanawha, Logan, Mercer, Raleigh, and Wood counties. Certain clinics will be available Friday, some will be available on Saturday, and others will be available both days. Applicable frontline healthcare workers will receive specific instructions on how they will be able to be vaccinated from their licensing boards and associations.

VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UPDATE Additionally Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that West Virginia remains among the national leaders in the rate of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. According to the latest vaccine numbers posted to the COVID-19 Dashboard Thursday morning, West Virginia is now up to a first dose administration rate of 87.7 percent. After a recent shipment of second doses, West Virginia now has a second dose administration rate of 42.5 percent. “We just received more doses in,” Gov. Justice said. “If we keep pouring it on like we’ve been doing, we’ll get all of those shots in people’s arms by this weekend and we’ll be back up close to 100 percent.” To-date, West Virginia has administered 137,068 first doses and 32,122 second doses, totaling 169,190 doses administered overall statewide. In just the last 24 hours, 8,991 vaccines have been administered across the state. The Governor also once again 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.

FAIRMONT MEDICAL CENTER TO OPEN DOZENS OF BEDS TO BE UTILIZED AS COVID-19 SURGE HOSPITAL Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice announced that a recent increase in COVID-19 rates in Harrison, Marion, and Monongalia counties has filled WVU Hospital and United Hospital Center in Clarksburg to capacity. As a result, the Governor said that bed capacity will be increased at Fairmont Medical Center, enabling the hospital to care for up to 42 patients and provide the necessary services to meet the needs of COVD patients and others. “Many individuals are delaying care because there are no beds available,” Gov. Justice said. “So we need to move.” The capacity increase will also result in the addition of 65 staffed positions to care for these patients. “We need this facility, and just think about where we were about a year ago,” Gov. Justice said. “This hospital was dying. But, with the help of WVU and our legislators and other local leaders, we refused to let it die. If we would have sat on our hands any longer, it would have been mothballed. Instead, we saved a hospital that is so vital to the people of North Central West Virginia, we saved a bunch of jobs, and now that we need this hospital for COVID overflow, it’s there for us.”

GOV. JUSTICE GREETS U.S. COVID-19 CZAR JEFF ZIENTS FOLLOWING INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN Additionally Thursday, Gov. Justice announced that about one hour after the new President of the United States, Joe Biden, was sworn into office, the Governor took a phone call from the new U.S. COVID-19 Czar Jeff Zients  “He seemed like a really go-getter kind of a guy,” Gov. Justice said. “I told him about all that’s been going on in West Virginia. He knew about it and he congratulated us over and over about how we've been able to get vaccines in people's arms and how we're moving as fast as we possibly can. Then, I told him how we need more and more vaccines. I really appreciated the great call.” The Governor went on to discuss his willingness to work alongside President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. “I really congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris and wish them all the greatness that I could possibly wish them,” Gov. Justice said. “I stand ready to work with them in every way. “I encourage everyone in our state to respect the presidency of our nation,” Gov. Justice continued. “And, without any question, as good Americans and good West Virginians, we’ve got to get behind the efforts of our new president and try, with all in us, to absolutely make things better and better for the great people of West Virginia.”

WEST VIRGINIA INAUGURATION CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice offered a reminder that the 2021 West Virginia Gubernatorial and Constitutional Officer Inauguration Ceremony will be held tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, beginning at 1 p.m. The ceremony will include the swearing in of the Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Supreme Court Justices. After taking his oath of office, Gov. Justice will give his inaugural address. Due to COVID-19 protocols and due to security protocols, attendance will be limited to dignitaries, families of those being sworn in, members of the media, and other invited guests. The event will be live-streamed online. All West Virginians are encouraged to watch the ceremony at the following links: YouTube | Twitter | Facebook The ceremony will also be broadcast live on the West Virginia Channel. To find your station, click here (use column labeled “WV Channel”). Click here for more information

GOVERNOR REPORTS “BACK TO SCHOOL” CONTINUING TO GO SMOOTHLY Additionally Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that the reopening of West Virginia’s Pre-K-12 schools to in-person learning continues to go smoothly. “This pandemic shines a light on the important role our teachers and service personnel play in the lives of our children, our families, and our communities each and every day,” Gov. Justice said. “I want to thank the State Board of Education for all they are doing to make sure the in-person learning option is made available to all of our families throughout the state.” The Governor featured photos of children back in school at Jefferson Elementary School in Parkersburg. Wood County is currently using a blended learning model but will return to five days of in-person instruction, beginning Feb 15. “I can't say it enough, there is nothing to replace our kids being back in school and receiving in-person learning,” Gov. Justice said.

COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS UPDATE Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that the statewide rate of COVID-19 transmission – also known as Rt – is now 0.87; tied for the third-best such rate of any state in the country. The Governor added that the current number of active cases in the state is now 25,737, down from 26,675 as of the Governor’s previous COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday. The number of daily active cases in West Virginia has decreased for nine of the past 10 days. West Virginia has recorded 940 new positive cases over the past 24 hours. The number of active hospitalizations remains 638 patients, with 167 of those patients currently in the ICU. The cumulative percent of positive cases is now 5.52 percent. Click here to view the latest COVID-19 data

THURSDAY MAP UPDATE Additionally Thursday, 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: 15 (Berkeley, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Doddridge, Hardy, Marshall, Mingo, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Ritchie, Tyler, Wetzel, Wirt) Orange counties: 28 (Barbour, Cabell, Calhoun, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Mason, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pleasants, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Summers, Upshur, Wayne, Wood, Wyoming) Gold counties: 7 (Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Mercer, Randolph, Taylor, Webster) Yellow counties: 4 (Lewis, McDowell, Mineral, Monongalia) Green counties: 1 (Tucker)

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

OUTBREAK REPORT Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that West Virginia now has six active church-related outbreaks across five counties: Clay, Hampshire, Nicholas, Summers, and Wetzel counties. These outbreaks account for a total of 30 cases. There are now 98 outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state, up from 92 on Tuesday. The Governor also reported that there are now 163 inmate cases across the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) system, up from 150 on Tuesday. Of these active inmate cases, 105 are at Lakin Correctional Center and 49 are at North Central Regional Jail. Meanwhile, there are now 29 active staff cases across the DCR system, down from 32 on Tuesday. Click here to view the latest corrections facility update

AGGRESSIVE TESTING CONTINUES ACROSS STATE Additionally Thursday, Gov. Justice provided an overview of the 49 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. Click here to view all locations, dates, times, and more details

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 Thursday, 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 Thursday, 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 Thursday, 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.

FLU VACCINE REMINDER Additionally Thursday, 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.

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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