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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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WEST VIRGINIA “READY TO GO” UPON FEDERAL APPROVAL OF COVID-19 VACCINE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5
During his briefing Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution leaders are “ready to go” if and when federal health regulators approve and recommend the vaccine for use in children under 5 years old.
“Vaccination continues to be the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones,” Gov. Justice said. “I continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to get their vaccine and to get their booster dose when the time comes.”
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Federal independent advisory committees are meeting to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for children under age 5. Their recommendations are anticipated in the coming days.
“We have been continually preparing for approval to occur for young people,” said West Virginia Joint Interagency Task Force Director Jim Hoyer. “Pre-ordering has taken place for the 5 and under age group. We anticipate approximately 17,400 doses arriving in our state between June 20 and June 29.
“About half of those have been ordered by our pharmacies. The other half are for physicians offices, including pediatricians, as well as local health departments, community health centers, and hospitals,” Hoyer continued. “It’s important for parents and guardians to understand that pharmacies can offer vaccines for children ages 3 and older. For under age 3, parents, guardians, and caregivers need to reach out to pediatricians and local health departments.”
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Primary series vaccinations and a first booster dose are currently encouraged for all West Virginians ages 5 and older.
A second booster dose is encouraged for all West Virginians ages 50 and older who are at least four months removed from their first booster dose, as well as certain immunocompromised individuals. All West Virginians who qualify can get a second booster dose everywhere vaccines are available.
The state’s free COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator – the only tool of its kind in the nation – has been updated to determine whether people are eligible for a second booster dose.
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GOVERNOR: P-EBT TO BE ISSUED FOR NON-STUDENTS RECEIVING SNAP IN WEST VIRGINIA
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Justice and DHHR officials announced that West Virginia has received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture to issue Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to eligible non-students or children under the age of six years old who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Eligible non-students are those who reside in a county where one or more schools have been closed or operated at reduced attendance due to COVID-19. Children in this population only will receive P-EBT for months in which they were in an active SNAP household.
If a child is eligible, they will be mailed a benefit letter. There is not an application for this benefit. Please retain the case number found on the letter.
Qualified children will receive $22.44 in P-EBT for each month they qualify. P-EBT benefits will be dispersed in two primary issuances: August–December 2021 will be issued in July 2022 and January–May 2022 will be issued in September 2022.
P-EBT will be issued on the WV P-EBT card in the name of the eligible child. If a child received a P-EBT card during the 2020-2021 program year, a new card will not be automatically sent. If the card has been lost, a new card may be requested by calling 1-866-545-6502.
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CASE NUMBERS INFO
On Wednesday, Gov. Justice reported that there are now just 1,855 active cases of COVID-19 statewide, down 134 since the Governor’s previous briefing on Monday.
COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov
An updated breakdown of the West Virginia County Alert Map is as follows:
Red (0) | Orange (0) | Gold (0) | Yellow (20) | Green (35)
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GOV. JUSTICE INVITES ALL WEST VIRGINIANS TO ATTEND STATE’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ON JUNE 20
Additionally, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks about COVID-19 to invite all West Virginians to the Capitol Complex in Charleston on Monday, June 20, 2022, for a day of fun in celebration of West Virginia’s 159th birthday.
The festivities start at noon at the State Culture Center, where the Governor and First Lady Cathy Justice will greet guests.
Gov. Justice and the First Lady will then announce the winner of the West Virginia Birthday Cake Contest and do the ceremonial cake cutting.
There will be a Golden Horseshoe Reunion. All former recipients of the Golden Horseshoe are invited to attend the ceremony, which will include the Governor being knighted with an honorary Golden Horseshoe.
Later in the afternoon, the Culture Center will host the first-ever History Bowl Legends Tournament, where past participants come together as All-Star teams to compete for bragging rights.
The celebration will also include a reception and choir performances.
“It’s going to be a neat day,” Gov. Justice said. “I really encourage everyone to attend.”
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GOVERNOR DECLARES JUNETEENTH 2022 A STATE HOLIDAY, PREVIEWS JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Gov. Justice also offered a reminder that, earlier in the week, he issued a proclamation officially declaring Juneteenth 2022 as a State holiday in West Virginia.
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Juneteenth, which is recognized on June 19 each year, celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States.
This year, June 19 falls on a Sunday. With the subsequent Monday already a State holiday for West Virginia Day, the Juneteenth State holiday this year will be observed on Friday, June 17, 2022, as a full-day holiday for all public employees of the State.
The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration on the Kanawha Boulevard lawns of the West Virginia Capitol Complex on Saturday, June 18, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The celebration will include three headline bands: Hi-5, Ruff Endz, and Surface. Award-winning comedian Crystal Powell will serve as the emcee, along with local West Virginia talent and DJ, Big L. Several additional West Virginia artists will perform. Food vendors and local organizations will also be present.
Click here to learn more about the event
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WEST VIRGINIANS CAN RIDE HATFIELD-MCCOY TRAILS FOR FREE DURING HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Additionally Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginians will be able to ride the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System for free during the upcoming holiday weekend, June 17-June 20, 2022.
West Virginia Day Trail Passes will be available to state residents who present a valid West Virginia driver’s license or West Virginia state-issued I.D. at trailheads and facilities.
Hatfield-McCoy Trails (HMT) officials caution all riders that HMT regulations apply to all riders and note that West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Police Officers will be out on the trails checking for rider permits.
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GOVERNOR DISCUSSES RECENT SEVERE STORMS; WARNS OF HEAT ADVISORY
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Justice took a moment to discuss the severe storms that struck the Northern Panhandle and parts of central West Virginia on Tuesday.
“It’s been really tough stuff,” Gov. Justice said. “We had wind gusts reaching 70 miles per hour that ripped through Ohio County and parts of the Northern Panhandle. There are still a lot of trees down and power outages. We had two Wheeling firefighters who were treated after being shocked due to a power issue related to the storm, and a third firefighter was injured from a fall due to treacherous conditions.
“The body of a 20-year-old woman was found Tuesday evening after she was swept away by a flash flood after being on a bridge in the Wileyville area,” Gov. Justice continued. “It’s just tragic beyond belief.”
The West Virginia National Guard and the West Virginia Emergency Management Division are both responding to this event with resources to help start the cleanup process. The Governor reminded all of the state’s municipalities to remain in close contact with their respective county Emergency Manager so that, when severe weather events occur, they are reported as quickly as possible.
The Governor also warned that all counties in the western half of the state are under either an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory today.
Heat Exhaustion is a serious condition that can lead to Heat Stroke. Cooling centers have been opened in several cities across our state.
“We all need to be pulling the rope together. Please make sure that you are carefully watching your loved ones for signs of these conditions,” Gov. Justice said. “And always remember to call 911 at the first sign of Heat Stroke.”
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GOV. JUSTICE APPOINTS JARRED CANNON TO HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Additionally, Gov. Justice announced that he has appointed Jarred Cannon of Hurricane to the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 22nd District. The district covers parts of Boone, Lincoln, Logan, and Putnam counties.
Cannon fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Joe Jeffries earlier this month and will serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
“Jarred is an exciting young man,” Gov. Justice said. “He’s a young man who is really on his way. He’s doing a lot of great stuff. We congratulate Jarred and I know he’ll do a great job.”
Born and raised in West Virginia, Cannon is the owner of Athena Consulting, a West Virginia-based public relations firm. Cannon graduated from West Virginia University. He serves on the board of the Ohio-West Virginia Youth Leadership Association and as an organizer and counselor for Camp Lincoln, a conservative youth leadership camp.
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