Office of the Governor

COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice: “We are flooding our hospitals.”

1/28/2022

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COVID hospitalizations reach 1,088 Thursday; again breaking all-time pandemic record
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.
GOV. JUSTICE: “WE ARE FLOODING OUR HOSPITALS.”
During his latest briefing, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia reached 1,088 COVID-related hospitalizations on Thursday; once again setting a new all-time pandemic record.

COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov

“We are flooding our hospitals,” Gov. Justice said. “If we don't watch out, we're going to have real problems.

“Overwhelmingly, the people that are going to the hospital and the people we are losing are the people that are unvaccinated.” Gov. Justice continued.
The Governor went on to announce that 275 West Virginia National Guard members have now been authorized to deploy to 34 medical facilities across the state as part of the WVNG’s mission to provide staffing support to West Virginia hospitals in the face of the current surge.

“All I ask you to do is consider stacking the deck in your favor by getting your vaccination,” Gov. Justice added. “And if you’ve already gotten your vaccination, I don’t know how in the world you aren’t running to get your booster shot.”

An updated breakdown of the West Virginia County Alert Map is as follows:
Red (35) | Orange (10) | Gold (8) | Yellow (1) | Green (1)
BOOSTER SHOTS NOW AUTHORIZED FOR ALL WEST VIRGINIANS AGES 12 AND OLDER
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.
FIND A VACCINE NEAR YOU
FREE N95 MASKS | FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice offered another reminder that the federal government is now offering three free N95 masks per American.

As a result, free masks will soon be made available at pharmacies and community health centers across West Virginia.

The Governor also offered a reminder that the federal government continues to offer every household in America four free at-home COVID-19 tests.

To get your free at-home COVID tests, visit COVIDtests.gov.
GOVERNOR URGES CAUTION AMID ANOTHER WINTER STORM
Additionally Friday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks about COVID-19 to once again urge all West Virginians to be cautious with yet another winter storm forecast to hit West Virginia Friday and Saturday.

The West Virginia Emergency Management Division is coordinating with the National Weather Service to monitor the winter weather system.

Coordinating agencies are being placed on standby to report to the State Emergency Operations Center should the need arise. The West Virginia Department of Transportation is also ready to respond, with plow trucks fully stocked and standing by.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
GOV. JUSTICE RECAPS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice took time to recap his 2022 State of the State address, delivered last night in the House chamber of the Capitol Building.
During the address, the Governor announced his new Job Jumpstart Program, which will provide a one-time $1,500 payment to many West Virginians going back to work.

Complete eligibility requirements and Job Jumpstart Program applications are available online at workforcewv.org/jjp.

Click here to read more
Also during his address, the Governor announced that the deficit that has hindered the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Old Fund for decades has now been completely eliminated.

The Workers’ Compensation Old Fund, which in 2005 had racked up a deficit of $3.5 billion, now has a positive net asset balance of $57 million.

Under the Governor’s leadership, the Old Fund’s invested assets generated over $170 million during FY2021 alone; a 17.6% return for the year.

Click here to read more
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Jordan Damron, jordan.l.damron@wv.gov

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

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304.558.2000 or 1.888.438.2731

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