Office of the Governor

COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice urges all West Virginians to get vaccine or booster dose ahead of holiday season

12/2/2021

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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.
GOV. JUSTICE ENCOURAGES VACCINE AND BOOSTER DOSE DURING BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON 
During Thursday’s briefing, Gov. Justice one again reminded West Virginians of the importance of being vaccinated and receiving a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the holiday season.

Specifically, he urged individuals age 50 and older to make sure they are fully vaccinated with a booster dose before holiday shopping with large crowds or attending events with loved ones.  

"We have a small percent of people 50 and older who are fully vaccinated but have not taken their booster shots. That is just plain not smart," said Gov. Justice. "Run to the fire and get your booster shots. We have to do better." 
WEST VIRGINIA ONCE AGAIN RECOGNIZED AS TOP TOURIST DESTINATION
Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice recognized that West Virginia has been selected as one of the Best Places to Go by Condé Nast Traveler.

This recognition follows a series of recent major announcements by Lonely Planet and TIME Magazine, that together rank West Virginia as a leading global destination for travel in the New Year. 

"We knew West Virginia was great but people from the outside world always looked at us as backward," said Gov. Justice. "We started changing, we made a real commitment to our roads, we became diversified. Now low and behold the world is awakening to the fact that this is the diamond in the rough that they have missed."
BOOSTERS AVAILABLE FOR ALL WEST VIRGINIANS
The FDA and the CDC both recently recommended booster doses for all Americans ages 18 and older, provided that at least six months have passed since receiving their two-dose Pfizer/Moderna vaccine series or that at least two months have passed since receiving their one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
West Virginians can go to any location offering COVID-19 vaccines with their vaccination card to receive their booster.

If your card has been lost, you can request a new one from the DHHR.
FIND A VACCINE NEAR YOU
“DO IT FOR BABYDOG” VACCINATION SWEEPSTAKES CONTINUES
Vaccinated West Virginians still have two more chances to win big in the Babydog sweepstakes.

Online registration to be eligible to win in the next prize drawing will remain open until Sunday, Dec. 5, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced the week of Dec. 6.

The final prize drawing will be held the following week.

Do it for Babydog: Round 3 is open to all West Virginians ages 5-18 who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Children ages 5-17 must have parental consent to be vaccinated and to register.

*Those who previously registered for Round 1 and/or Round 2 of the sweepstakes are required to register again to be eligible for Round 3*
REGISTER: DoitforBabydog.wv.gov
CASE NUMBERS & VACCINATION UPDATE
On Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that there are now 7,113 active cases of COVID-19 statewide.

The cumulative percent positivity rate stands at 6.24%.

A total of 1,063,487 West Virginians, 62.6% of the eligible population over 5 years of age, have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Booster doses have now been administered to 228,836 people, or 12.8% of West Virginia's eligible population.

COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov
Gov. Justice also reported that, per the West Virginia Department of Education, there are currently 19 school outbreaks in 14 counties with 374 confirmed cases.

COVID-19 Outbreaks in State Public Schools (WVDE)
COVID-19 RESOURCES
GOV. JUSTICE CONGRATULATES MUNGER ON NATIONAL GUARD PROMOTION
Today the West Virginia National Guard held a ceremony to promote Col. Michaelle M. Munger to the rank of brigadier general.

Munger is the first female general officer for the West Virginia Army National Guard in the state’s history. 




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Contact Information

Jordan Damron, jordan.l.damron@wv.gov

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State Capitol, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E
Charleston, WV 25305

Office Phone:
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