UPDATE: 1/14/22
Gov. Justice health update: January 14, 2022
Governor’s condition continues to improve
CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice released the following statement today regarding his health condition following his diagnosis of COVID-19 on Tuesday:
“I’m feeling even better today than I felt yesterday. I miss being in the office and I’m excited to get back to work very soon,” Gov. Justice said. “I’ll never, ever forget all the prayers and well-wishes that I’ve received. I can’t tell you how much Cathy and I appreciate them.
“Getting this terrible disease for yourself gives you a whole new perspective,” Gov. Justice continued. “I’ve never been sick like that before. I felt great on Monday, and by Tuesday I was in bad, bad shape.
“I truly believe that my choice to get vaccinated and boosted saved my life. People might say, ‘Here’s Governor Justice, he got vaccinated and he still got sick.’ And to those people, I’d say, ‘Here’s Governor Justice talking to you today.’ That’s the difference. Governor Justice didn’t end up in the hospital, the ICU, or – God forbid – worse.
“I really, really plead with every West Virginian: get vaccinated and get your booster. This disease is nothing to fool around with. It hits you quick and fast when you least expect it. It’s some nasty stuff. Now, more than ever, I urge you to protect yourself and your family.”
*This will be the final daily update of the Governor’s health condition unless circumstances dictate that another be released at a later date.
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UPDATE: 1/13/22
Gov. Justice health update: January 13, 2022
Governor feeling much better
CHARLESTON, WV – Below is an update on the health condition of Gov. Jim Justice following his diagnosis of COVID-19 on Tuesday:
Gov. Justice continues to experience mild symptoms, but feels much better today. His monoclonal antibody treatment was received well and has begun to mitigate his symptoms.
“Thankfully, I am feeling much better today,” Gov. Justice said. “I desperately want to get out of this house and back to serving our state. I am not one to lay around.
“I deeply appreciate everyone’s prayers and well-wishes for my family and I this week. They mean more to Cathy and I than words can convey, and we will never forget them.
“Without question, the fact that I chose to get vaccinated and boosted saved my life, that’s all there is to it. So, now more than ever, I strongly encourage all West Virginians to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated.”
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UPDATE: 1/12/22
Gov. Justice health update: January 12, 2022
CHARLESTON, WV – Below is an update on the health condition of Gov. Jim Justice following his diagnosis of COVID-19 last night:
Gov. Justice continues to experience moderate symptoms which continue to
make him feel unwell. His course of monoclonal antibody treatment was
received well.
Throughout the course of the day today, Gov. Justice was in constant
communication with his Chief of Staff and office staff to ensure that several major economic announcements were made and his unprecedented State of the State message was delivered on time.
The Governor’s second confirmatory PCR test last night was positive.
First Lady Cathy Justice is still negative. Gov. Justice’s office staff
all tested negative today.
The Governor continues to be treated by several physicians, including Dr. Clay Marsh, MD, the State COVID-19 Czar.
Babydog is showing no signs of illness and maintains her healthy appetite.
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ORIGINAL STORY: 1/11/22
Gov. Justice tests positive for COVID-19
CHARLESTON, WV – Today, upon the sudden onset of symptoms Gov. Jim Justice received a positive PCR test for COVID-19. Confirmatory testing was performed by the West Virginia State Lab with an additional positive result. An additional test is being administered tonight to confirm the initial PCR results.
The Governor, who is fully vaccinated and boosted, is experiencing moderate symptoms and is isolating at home.
Upon recommendation from his physicians, the Governor will be receiving a course of monoclonal antibody treatment tonight. He is being treated by several physicians, including Dr. Clay Marsh, MD, the State COVID-19 Czar.
Everyone that the Governor has been in close contact with over the past few days is being notified. West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice tested negative this evening.
Gov. Justice is in communication with his Chief of Staff and office staff to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly.
The Governor’s State of the State address, scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 2022, will be delivered by written message to the West Virginia Legislature to satisfy constitutional requirements.
The Governor will deliver an address to the West Virginia Legislature at a later date.
“While I was surprised that my test results came back positive, I’m thankful to the Lord above that I’ve been vaccinated, I’ve been boosted, and that I have an incredible support system, especially my loving family,” Gov. Justice said.
“That being said, I feel extremely unwell at this point, and I have no choice but to postpone my State of the State address to the Legislature. I woke up this morning with congestion and a cough. A little while later, I developed a headache and fever, so I decided to get tested right away. The rapid test that I took came back negative, but by the late afternoon, my symptoms were still getting much worse. My blood pressure and heart rate were extremely elevated, and I had a high fever. Finally, my PCR test results this evening confirmed I was positive. Because of all this, I began receiving my antibody treatment and I hope this will lessen these symptoms.
“For this to happen just one night before the State of the State – knowing I won’t be able to be there – saddens me. There are so many great things happening in West Virginia right now. Tomorrow, even though I won’t be there, we are going to showcase what we’ve accomplished with economic development in West Virginia. We are on a rocket ship ride and the world is finally waking up to it. But, because of this pandemic, we all must adjust and realize that our lives aren’t the same as they were a few short years ago.
“I ask everyone to continue praying for the 5,452 great West Virginians that we’ve lost. We need to keep pulling the rope together. We’re going to get through this and put an end to this terrible pandemic once and for all.
“So I apologize in every way for not being able to join you tomorrow night, and I especially apologize to all our invited guests who are having to change their plans. I’ll be back in front of you in-person before you know it. I thank everyone who has offered their thoughts and prayers and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone soon.”
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Statement by Dr. Clay Marsh, MD, the State COVID-19 Czar and Vice President & Executive Dean for Health Sciences at West Virginia University:
“The Governor took the exact right course of action today. He got tested at the first sign of a COVID-19-related symptom, isolated himself, and, because he is over 65 years of age, he consulted with a doctor and was prescribed a monoclonal antibody treatment. I have full confidence that Governor Justice will recover quickly, and it’s because he chose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and his booster shot. Without the immunity afforded by those vaccines, his outcome could be much worse. I continue to strongly encourage all West Virginians to take the COVID-19 vaccine and get boosted when it’s time to do so. Everyone is susceptible to this infection, and with cases in the U.S. and in West Virginia at all-time highs, there has never been a more important time to get yourself and your family vaccinated.”
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Additional information:
Tomorrow’s 10:00 a.m. economic development announcement will be announced by press release, and the event will still be held by other officials at the same time and place as listed in the media advisory.
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