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Governor again urges vaccinations as Delta variant case count continues to climb
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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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DO IT FOR BABYDOG: GOVERNOR INTRODUCES LATEST PRIZE WINNERS FROM 4TH 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 4th round of the “Do it or Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” Vaccination Sweepstakes.
“We’ve had some tremendous winners and we gave out some incredible prizes on Wednesday,” Gov. Justice said. “I’m tickled to death for all of our winners.
“I couldn’t be any happier,” Gov. Justice continued. “It was a great day.”
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Bridgeport resident Timothy Jackson’s life was changed forever when he received a surprise visit at work from the Governor and Babydog, who announced that his name had been drawn as the latest million-dollar prize winner of the sweepstakes.
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The Governor and Babydog also surprised Thomas Sowers, a Riverside High School assistant football coach from Belle (below left), and surprised Grace Fowler from the community of Nettie in Nicholas County (below right), presenting them each with the keys to brand-new, custom-outfitted trucks.
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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.
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During Friday’s briefing, the Governor was joined by Christopher Ellis from the community of Bruno in Logan County; one of this week’s two college scholarship prize winners through the sweepstakes.
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Gov. Justice congratulated Ellis and presented him with a custom “Do it for Babydog” backpack as part of his prize winnings.
“Christopher, we’re very happy for you,” Gov. Justice said. “You’re on your way in your life. Just go on and do great things; we know you’re going to.”
The Governor also offered his congratulations to this week’s other college scholarship prize winner; Liam Cox of Weston.
“Today is Liam’s birthday. He’s off somewhere enjoying his birthday and we couldn’t make it work to where he could be with us, but we congratulate him as well,” Gov. Justice said.
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Vaccinated West Virginians only have three more chances to win in the “Do it for Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” Vaccination Sweepstakes.
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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 355,000 West Virginians have registered for the sweepstakes to date.
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Online registration to be eligible to win in the next prize drawing will remain open until Sunday, July 18, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Winners will be announced next Wednesday, July 21.
Additional prize drawings will be held weekly, with winners being announced each Wednesday through August 4.
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GOVERNOR PROVIDES UPDATE ON DELTA VARIANT IN WEST VIRGINIA; ONCE AGAIN URGING VACCINATIONS
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice reported that State pandemic response leaders continue to closely monitor the Delta variant of COVID-19 in West Virginia.
There are now 19 confirmed Delta variant cases in the state, spread across nine West Virginia counties; up from 17 such cases as of the Governor’s previous briefing on Tuesday.
Once again, the Governor encouraged all West Virginians who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 to do so as soon as possible.
“The vaccines are tremendously effective against this variant,” Gov. Justice said. “Our cases of this variant are still moving really slowly in West Virginia, but mark it down, and our health officials will tell you over and over, this is coming. You need to be vaccinated.”
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WEST VIRGINIA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASES FOR 14TH STRAIGHT MONTH
Additionally Friday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has decreased once again, dropping two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.3% in June 2021.
West Virginia’s unemployment rate has declined for 14 consecutive months and remains better than the national unemployment rate of 5.9%.
“West Virginia, you continue to beat up on the nation and make yourselves look great,” Gov. Justice said. “But we’ve still got folks that are out there that we need to get back to work.”
The number of unemployed state residents decreased by 1,700 to 42,000.
“Our businesses still have jobs available; good-paying jobs,” Gov. Justice added. “Please take advantage.”
Click here to view WorkForce West Virginia’s most recent Labor Force Summary
Click here to view available jobs in West Virginia
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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.
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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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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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On Friday, the Governor reported that there are currently four active outbreaks reported at churches in Cabell, McDowell, and Webster counties. Additionally, there are now two 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.
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COVID-19 TESTING STILL AVAILABLE ACROSS STATE
Also on Friday, 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.
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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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WEST VIRGINIANS IMPACTED BY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 STORMS CAN APPLY FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
Additionally Friday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia residents who suffered losses or damage from the severe storms and flooding in the state from Feb. 27 to March 4 are encouraged to review the many types of grants and loans that are available through FEMA.
“For those of you who were involved in the storms, if you haven’t applied for assistance yet, you’ve got to get with it and apply by this coming Monday,” Gov. Justice said. “Hopefully you’ll be able to get assistance from FEMA, take care of that damage, and move on down the road.”
Residents of Cabell, Kanawha, Mingo or Wayne counties who suffered damage from these storms are eligible to apply.
The application deadline is this upcoming Monday; July 19, 2021.
To apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
West Virginia Severe Storms And Flooding: 4605-DR-WV
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NEW AND EXPANDED “COLLEGE FOR WEST VIRGINIA” ONLINE RESOURCE UNVEILED
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice reported that the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) is expanding and revamping its online presence to make it easier for students and families to explore the State’s wide range of financial aid and college planning programs.
The HEPC just released “College for West Virginia,” which is the new and expanded resource for West Virginians to find information about the State’s free resources for planning, applying, and paying for college.
This expansion represents a rebrand of CFWV.com, the State’s college and career-planning web portal previously known as the College Foundation of West Virginia, and the launch of its sister site, CollegeforWV.com, which is focused on State-sponsored financial aid programs that total more than $100 million in scholarships and grants for West Virginians each year.
Together, these sites redefine CFWV as “College for West Virginia,” home to the state’s free resources for planning, applying, and paying for college.
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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