|
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.
|
|
DO IT FOR BABYDOG: GOVERNOR INTRODUCES LATEST PRIZE WINNERS FROM 3RD ROUND OF GIVEAWAYS
During his latest briefing, Gov. Justice recapped his journey across the state to surprise the winners of the three biggest prizes given away in the 3rd round of the “Do it or Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” Vaccination Sweepstakes.
“We had a great day. Babydog drove with us. We traveled a lot of miles,” Gov. Justice said. “For those of you who aren’t vaccinated, you’re missing out on a lot of good stuff. We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated.”
|
|
|
Princeton resident Heather Coburn’s life was changed forever yesterday when she received a surprise visit at work from the Governor and Babydog, who announced her name has been drawn as the latest million-dollar prize winner of the sweepstakes.
|
|
|
The Governor and Babydog also surprised James Sanson of Fairmont (below left) and surprised William Harris of Clendenin (below right), presenting them with the keys to brand-new, custom-outfitted trucks.
|
|
|
A total of 50 West Virginians were announced as prize winners Wednesday. Additional prizes included two full four-year scholarships to any public institution in the state, five lifetime hunting licenses, five lifetime fishing licenses, five custom hunting rifles, five custom hunting shotguns, and 25 weekend getaways to West Virginia State Parks.
|
|
During Thursday's briefing, the Governor was joined by Devin Dawson of Alma and Paige Stanley of Parkersburg; the two college scholarship prize winners for this week.
Gov. Justice went on to present both Dawson and Stanley with a custom “Do it for Babydog” backpack as part of her prize winnings.
|
|
|
“I’m really thankful that I’ve been given the chance to get this scholarship and have a free Bachelor’s degree so I can help make West Virginia better by doing my part for the state,” Dawson said.
|
|
|
“I am very thankful,” Stanley said. “I didn’t think this would ever happen to me. I wasn’t expecting it to happen to me, but I am very grateful to have a full ride to college. I don’t know what to say, I’m so shocked.”
|
|
“All I can do is thank both of you for getting vaccinated and for your contributions to this great state,” Gov. Justice said. “I know both of you are going to do great stuff. Congratulations.”
Vaccinated West Virginians have four more chances to win in the “Do it for Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” Vaccination Sweepstakes.
|
|
|
All West Virginians who have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can register at DoitforBabydog.wv.gov for an opportunity to join the list of winners. Over 339,000 West Virginians have registered for the sweepstakes to date.
|
|
Online registration to be eligible to win in the next prize drawing will remain open until Sunday, July 11, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Winners will be announced next Wednesday, July 14.
Additional prize drawings will be held weekly, with winners being announced each Wednesday through August 4.
|
|
GOVERNOR PROVIDES UPDATE ON DELTA VARIANT IN WEST VIRGINIA
Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that State pandemic response leaders continue to closely monitor the Delta variant of COVID-19 in West Virginia.
There are currently 15 confirmed Delta variant cases spread across six West Virginia counties.
“It has now jumped from 12 to 15,” Gov. Justice said. “It doesn’t sound like much, but if this thing takes off and you’re not vaccinated, this thing could be super-deadly.
“I’m not here to alarm you. All I’m here to do is tell you the truth,” Gov. Justice continued. “How you can be taking a chance to be walking the streets without this vaccine, no matter what your age, I’ll never understand. It’s just too big of a chance.”
|
|
VACCINE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Free COVID-19 vaccinations are 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.
All West Virginians who have received one dose of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines need to remember to get their second dose as well to ensure maximum protection against COVID-19.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
On Thursday, Gov. Justice took time to point out that West Virginia’s cumulative positivity rate has dropped to 4.99%; the State’s first day below 5% in this metric since Dec. 31, 2020.
The Governor went on to report that there are currently zero active outbreaks associated with churches and five active outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state.
Meanwhile, there is currently just one active inmate case and two active staff cases across the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation system. To view the latest DCR case update, click here.
|
|
COVID-19 TESTING STILL AVAILABLE ACROSS STATE
Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice provided an overview of the 50 counties across the state that currently have free COVID-19 testing sites available through the Governor’s Aggressive Testing initiative.
|
|
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
|
|
GOVERNOR, LAW ENFORCEMENT STEPPING UP WORK ZONE SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT STATEWIDE
Additionally Thursday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks on COVID-19 to discuss a fatal accident last week that occurred in a work zone on I-81, just outside of Martinsburg.
Investigators say they believe speed was a contributing factor to the accident.
“This is just a terrible tragedy,” Gov. Justice said. “Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan Harmon said it was one of the worst accidents he has seen in his career. The cleanup and ensuing investigation resulted in the closure of two lanes of I-81 for seven hours.
“All of this is unacceptable,” Gov. Justice continued.
The Governor went on to announce that, after meeting with Senate President Craig Blair earlier in the week to discuss the incident, he has directed the West Virginia State Police to immediately begin additional enforcement of the 55 miles per hour speed limit in this work zone and all work zones across the state.
|
|
He added that he has also directed the West Virginia Department of Transportation to go above and beyond the national safety standards with signage and traffic controls in the area.
“I know we’re all in a hurry. But you’ve got to watch what you’re doing,” Gov. Justice said. “Let’s all slow down, just a little bit, all of us need to do that.
“We’re going to do better,” Gov. Justice continued. “We’re going to enforce like crazy and we are going to try in every way we possibly can to keep our people safe.”
|
|
WEST VIRGINIA KOREAN WAR SOLDIER’S REMAINS RECOVERED
The Governor also took time to echo an announcement by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency today that Army Cpl. Pete Conley, 19, of Chapmanville, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for on June 5, 2020.
According to the DPAA, in late 1950, Conley was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
He was reported missing in action on Dec. 12, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea.
Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered.
On July 27, 2018, following the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in June 2018, North Korea turned over 55 boxes, purported to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War.
They were then able to identify Conley’s remains.
Conley will be buried in Pecks Hill, West Virginia.
Click here to read more
“We’re bringing a hero home,” Gov. Justice said. “We recognize for this family their loss, but we absolutely celebrate this family’s hero that is coming home.”
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|