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Update on vaccine mandate waiver request for rural healthcare workers
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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 and vaccine distribution efforts.
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GOV. JUSTICE: “WITHOUT THAT BOOSTER SHOT, YOU ARE BECOMING VERY EXPOSED AGAIN.”
During Wednesday’s briefing, Gov. Justice continued to double down on his calls for all eligible West Virginians to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get their booster shot when the time comes to do so.
“Our deaths are growing once again, especially with our elderly people,” Gov. Justice said. “Without that booster shot, you are becoming very exposed again.”
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“I’ve always listened to my gut,” Gov. Justice continued. “My gut tells me that these deaths are going up because we’re not boosted how we need to be.
“That is something you really need to take to heart.”
Gov. Justice reported that there are now 11,491 active cases of COVID-19 and 1,097 COVID-related hospitalizations statewide; the highest number of hospitalizations for any day since the start of the pandemic.
A total of 275 West Virginia National Guard members have now been authorized to deploy to 34 medical facilities across the state to provide staffing support to West Virginia hospitals in the face of the current surge.
COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov
An updated breakdown of the West Virginia County Alert Map is as follows:
Red (14) | Orange (19) | Gold (13) | Yellow (6) | Green (3)
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COVID-19 booster shots are now authorized and encouraged for all West Virginians ages 12 and older.
Booster shots are available for free to all eligible West Virginians. The waiting period for those who received initial series Pfizer shots has been shortened to five months. Read more about booster eligibility at CDC.gov.
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.
Initial series vaccinations remain available for free for all West Virginians ages 5 and older.
West Virginians interested in being vaccinated or having their children vaccinated are encouraged to visit Vaccinate.wv.gov or call the West Virginia Vaccine Info Line: 1-833-734-0965.
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UPDATE ON VACCINE MANDATE WAIVER REQUEST FOR RURAL HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Justice provided an update on his announcement earlier in the week that he had joined with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in sending a joint letter to the U.S. Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, calling on CMS to grant a limited waiver of its vaccination requirement at rural or state-run facilities due to severe staffing shortages.
“Our rural hospitals are destitute to keep the doors open, as far as staffing goes, so we felt we needed to ask for some kind of waiver,” Gov. Justice said. “What’s amazing is that they’ve come back to us today and didn’t just say ‘no.’ They said that we will talk – which I think is major progress.
“I still stand rock-solid behind the fact that you should choose to get vaccinated and get your booster shot,” Gov. Justice continued. “But we can’t afford to have all of our hospitals have to fire all these people and then be forced to close their doors.”
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GOV. JUSTICE ANNOUNCES ANOTHER RECORD-SETTING MONTH OF REVENUE COLLECTIONS
Additionally Wednesday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks about COVID-19 to announce that revenue collections in West Virginia continue to make history – breaking several all-time state records in January.
West Virginia’s General Revenue collections for January 2022 came in at $573.3 million – a whopping $136.8 million above estimate and 29.4% ahead of prior year receipts.
Seven months through Fiscal Year 2022, year-to-date collections of $3.093 billion are $530.6 million above the YTD estimate; breaking the all-time record for total surplus through the month of January.
The $136.8 million surplus for the month of January is also believed by state revenue officials to be the highest January surplus ever recorded in state history.
Click here to read more
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GOV. JUSTICE CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that he signed a proclamation, formally declaring February as Black History Month in West Virginia.
“West Virginia has been home to some of the most influential African American scholars and leaders,” Gov. Justice said. “This month, we want to take time to honor their lives and their legacies.”
Click here to view proclamation
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GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF SCHOOLS TO WV GAMECHANGER SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM
Additionally Wednesday, Gov. Justice took time to recap his event earlier in the morning, where he announced Greenbrier East High School and Greenbrier West High School as the latest additions to the new, student-powered WV GameChanger Opioid and Substance Misuse Prevention Program.
GameChanger’s Opioid and Substance Misuse Prevention Program is the first program of its kind and results from a service agreement between WV GameChanger and the world-renowned Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
The program will be added to the schools’ curriculums in the fall of 2022.
“GameChanger is doing great stuff for our kids to address the opioid and addiction problems we’ve seen,” Gov. Justice said. “This is another tool in our toolbelt to stop the terrible scourge of drugs and addiction all across our state. I congratulate them on all they’re doing.”
Click here to read more
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GOVERNOR OFFERS CONDOLENCES AFTER PASSING OF FORMER WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Justice took time to offer his prayers to the loved ones of former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Edwin Flowers, who died last Thursday at the age of 91.
Justice Flowers began serving on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia in 1975, following the resignation of Justice James Marshall Sprouse. He served on the bench through 1976.
The Governor went on to announce that he will be issuing a proclamation to lower U.S. and state flags to half-staff on the day of services celebrating Justice Flowers’ life.
“Cathy and I send our deepest condolences,” Gov. Justice said. “We will mourn him and we will surely miss him.”
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