Office of the Governor

COVID-19 UPDATE: While ICU and ventilator numbers hold steady, overall case count continues to drop rapidly

2/17/2022

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Active cases have dropped by approximately 75% in just the past three weeks
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.
CASE NUMBERS & HOSPITALIZATIONS UPDATE
During Thursday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that, although the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU and on ventilators has held steady of late, the state’s total case count and overall hospitalization numbers have declined dramatically in recent weeks.

Since peaking at 1,097 on Feb. 2, the number of hospitalizations is now 753; down by 344 (31%) over the past 15 days.

COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov

Due to technical issues, some sections of the DHHR’s COVID-19 Dashboard have not yet been updated to reflect today's numbers. The dashboard will be updated with the latest data as soon as possible. However, as of yesterday, there were 5,271 active cases of COVID-19 statewide.

The number of active cases has dropped by approximately 75% in just the past three weeks.
 
Yesterday's West Virginia County Alert Map also showed continued improvement:
Red (0) | Orange (2) | Gold (15) | Yellow (23) | Green (15)
BOOSTER SHOTS NOW AUTHORIZED FOR ALL WEST VIRGINIANS AGES 12 AND OLDER
Despite the improving case numbers, Gov. Justice read 123 new COVID-related deaths during today’s briefing, underscoring the continued importance of getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

“The most important thing on my list is that if you are fully vaccinated, we have got you to get the booster, especially if you are over the age of 50,” Gov. Justice said.
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
COVID-19 RESOURCES
GOVERNOR SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER
Gov. Justice also announced that he signed Executive Order 1-22 yesterday, officially terminating Executive Order 11-21.

Issued in March 2021, Executive Order 11-21 suspended certain statutory provisions related to requiring the Commissioner of Workforce West Virginia to collect non-fraudulent unemployment overpayments, including those distributed with federal grant monies intended to address employment relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, nearly 11 months later, it is now appropriate to reinstate these statutory provisions.
GOV. JUSTICE OFFERS CONDOLENCES AFTER PASSING OF CABELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER NANCY CARTMILL
Also on Thursday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks on COVID-19 to offer his prayers and condolences to the loved ones of Cabell County Commissioner Nancy Cartmill, who passed away at the age of 79 earlier this week.

Cartmill joined the Cabell County Commission in 2003. Prior to that, she served as the mayor of Barboursville from 1993 to 2001.

“There’s no question whatsoever that Commissioner Cartmill loved her community, loved her family, and loved all those around her,” Gov. Justice said. “She was a member of our Communities In Schools Advisory Council with the First Lady. We thank her so much for the work she did with Communities In Schools.

“I ask all West Virginians to join Cathy and I in praying for this great woman who did a lot of great things in service to Cabell County and West Virginia,” Gov. Justice continued.
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Jordan Damron, jordan.l.damron@wv.gov

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