|
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 SECOND ROUND OF GIVEAWAYS
During his latest briefing, Gov. Justice recapped his journey across the state yesterday to surprise the winners of the three biggest prizes given away as part of the second round of the “Do it or Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” Vaccination Sweepstakes.
“We want to try to create as much excitement as we can,” Gov. Justice said. “Well, yesterday was an exciting day and we surprised some people, that’s for sure.”
|
|
|
The Governor and Babydog visited a Monongalia County restaurant to surprise Morgantown resident Sharon Turner with a check for $1 million.
|
|
|
The Governor and Babydog also surprised Ciara Jacobs of Parkersburg and Tracy Brownell of Frankford, 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 Jenna Atwell of Paynesville; one of the two college scholarship winners.
“Jenna, we’re proud of you. Thank you for getting vaccinated,” Gov. Justice said. “I just want to congratulate you.”
|
|
Gov. Justice went on to present Atwell with a custom “Do it for Babydog” backpack as part of her prize winnings.
“We’ll continue these prize drawings for five more weeks, and if you haven’t gotten your vaccination, you’re crazy,” Gov. Justice said. “For crying out loud, all you have to do is get one shot and register. You’ve got a great chance of winning all kinds of great stuff.”
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Online registration to be eligible to win in the next prize drawing will remain open until Sunday, July 4, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Winners will be announced next Wednesday, July 7.
Additional prize drawings will be held weekly, with winners being announced each Wednesday through August 4.
|
|
|
“You’re in one lottery or the other. The wheel is turning every day,” Gov. Justice said. “The virus is still with us and the variants are still with us. You’re either in the lottery of goodness and protection and prizes, or you’re in the lottery of death; and is your number going to be called?”
|
|
GOV. JUSTICE REPORTS FY2021 ENDS WITH $413 MILLION SURPLUS
Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that the State of West Virginia ended Fiscal Year 2021 with a $413 million revenue surplus, despite the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the State’s economy.
Gov. Justice requested and the West Virginia Legislature approved the appropriation of $150 million for secondary roads and $253.8 million for a variety of other purposes in a pair of recent Special Sessions. The remaining surplus will be deposited to the Rainy Day Fund soon.
“We asked the Legislature to step up...they did so, and those dollars will be flowing through projects to help our roads and to help all kinds of other different projects all throughout our state,” Gov. Justice said.
The Governor went on to report substantial growth in its returns in corporate net income tax, consumer sales tax, personal income tax, and severance tax.
“Our state is diversified today in many different areas; from medicine to high-tech to tourism and all the different things that are happening all across our state,” Gov. Justice said. “Severance tax being up is another goody, that’s for sure. But it is not the only goody. In fact, it’s far from it.
“You’ve done really good, West Virginia, and I’m really proud of you.”
|
|
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 54 of West Virginia’s 55 counties are currently Green in the County Alert Map.
The Governor went on to report that there are currently zero active outbreaks in churches and just five active outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state.
Meanwhile, there is currently one active inmate case and four 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 SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER
Gov. Justice signed Executive Order 22-21 Wednesday, transferring funds from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund to the balance of the General Revenue Fund in order to make timely payments of the State’s obligations at the outset of the new fiscal year.
|
|
GOVERNOR URGES SAFETY AMID CONTINUING RAINSTORMS
Additionally, Gov. Justice urged West Virginians to exercise caution following a day full of rainstorms Wednesday that produced flooding and other storm-related damage across the state and with additional rain forecast to fall into Thursday evening.
“We’ve had some heavy rains, especially in Ohio, Marshall, Brooke, Hampshire, Kanawha, and Morgan counties,” Gov. Justice said. “We want to be on the watch, especially this time of year. We get big rains, and you’ve always got to be on guard in West Virginia.”
The West Virginia Emergency Management Division reports that no county or region has unmet needs or resources requested at this time. Emergency officials will continue to monitor weather and receive regular updates from the National Weather Service in Charleston.
“We’ve got emergency management people that are out there working,” Gov. Justice said. “We want to continue, with them, to run to the fire, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
|
|
GOV. JUSTICE WISHES WEST VIRGINIANS A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND
Also today, with the Fourth of July on the horizon, Gov. Justice took time to wish all West Virginians a Happy Independence Day weekend.
“I encourage people to spend some time over the weekend with your loved ones and remember all those who fought – and those who still continue to fight – in our armed services; all those we lost and all those that give us the Fourth of July, that give us our freedom,” Gov. Justice said. “Every single thing that we have in this great country, we owe to our military and all the greatness that they have delivered and all the sacrifices they have made. So make sure you think about them.
“Also, once these storms end, we’re supposed to have pretty weather. Get out and go to our State Parks,” Gov. Justice continued. “We’ve made some great improvements to many of our parks to help you enjoy ‘Almost Heaven’ even more.”
|
|
GOVERNOR OFFERS CONDOLENCES AFTER PASSING OF CHARLESTON NEWS DIRECTOR
Additionally, Gov. Justice took the time to offer his condolences and prayers after the passing yesterday of Rod Jackson, News Director at WOWK 13 News in Charleston.
“This is a good, good man that we just lost,” Gov. Justice said. “I surely want to recognize him and thank him for all that he brought to West Virginia, for all the great work that he did, and just for his kindness.
“We want to pass along all of our condolences and ask all West Virginians to join us in prayer for Rod and his loved ones,” Gov. Justice added.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|