On Friday, Gov. Jim Justice said that he and other state pandemic response leaders are “pushing as hard as we can” – urging the federal government to supply more doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to West Virginia.
According to the latest numbers posted to the CDC’s National Vaccination Tracker, out of the 57.4 million vaccine doses that have been delivered to states across America, only 35.2 million have been administered to date; an overall administration rate of 61.2 percent. Meanwhile, West Virginia has successfully administered 294,059 of the 328,600 total doses that have been delivered in the state to date; an overall administration rate of 89.4 percent.
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After participating in a national COVID-19 leadership call Tuesday with members of President Joe Biden’s administration, other governors across America, United States COVID-19 Czar Jeff Zients, and others, Gov. Justice reported Wednesday that West Virginia will soon be receiving an increase in its allocation of vaccine doses from the federal government.
“There’s going to be about a million vaccines that are going to be given to pharmacies all across our land, and it’s going to be appropriated by population,” Gov. Justice said. “It’s going to give West Virginia between an additional 2,500 and 3,000 vaccines per week.”
The Governor went on to say that, in the weeks ahead, he anticipates West Virginia's total weekly vaccine allocation will approach 30,000 doses.
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During Monday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that free COVID-19 vaccination clinics would be held this week in all 55 counties across West Virginia through operation “Save Our Wisdom.” The clinics are available for West Virginians who are 65 years of age and older. Residents from any county in West Virginia may access an appointment at any of the vaccination clinics listed, regardless of their county of residence. The clinics started on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. Different locations were open on different days through today, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021.
Visit vaccinate.wv.gov to view all current clinic locations and schedules.
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West Virginians can now pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine through the West Virginia COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration system at vaccinate.wv.gov. All clinics require appointments and walk-ins will not be accepted.
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On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia’s percentages of long-term care facility residents and employees who have chosen to be vaccinated are significantly outpacing the national averages in these categories. Tuesday, the CDC released a report which said only 77.8 percent of long-term care facility residents and 37.5 percent of staff members were choosing to get the vaccine nationwide.
Meanwhile, in West Virginia, approximately 81 percent of long-term care facility residents and 61 percent of staff members have chosen to be vaccinated as of Wednesday.
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On Monday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia’s general revenue collections for the month of January 2021 came in at $46.6 million above estimates and 1.6 percent above prior year receipts, despite the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the state’s economy. Year-to-date general revenue collections are now $173.8 million above estimates and 4.7 percent above prior year receipts.
West Virginia has now banked surpluses in six of the first seven months of Fiscal Year 2021.
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On Friday, Gov. Justice announced that there will be a second round of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) allocated to eligible children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will continue to be administered through the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. On Feb. 4, 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved issuance of a second round of P-EBT for children who would have received free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program if their schools were not closed or operating at reduced attendance hours due to COVID-19.
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Gov. Justice announced Friday that he received a letter from Minnesota State Senator Michelle Benson, thanking the West Virginia pandemic response team for being a national leader in COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts and requesting advice on how to improve vaccine distribution in Minnesota. Gov. Justice was overjoyed to offer West Virginia’s assistance.
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French Creek Freddie, West Virginia's famous weather-prognosticating groundhog, has predicted an early spring for the Mountain State. Freddie made his prediction Tuesday morning during a private ceremony in his home at the WV State Wildlife Center. This year's Groundhog Day Celebration was cancelled due to COVID-19.
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Gov. Justice issued a proclamation Monday recognizing February as Black History Month. The proclamation “encourages all citizens to recognize the many contributions made by African Americans in West Virginia and the nation.” HHOMA marks February 2021 by joining panel discussions, hosting a lecture series, and more. The month concludes with the annual Trailblazer Awards Gala.
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The West Virginia Department of Education has awarded STEM-minded Educator Grants to 86 West Virginia educators across the state. The purpose of the program is to fund student-centered STEM projects designed to engage them in interdisciplinary STEM learning. The STEM-minded Educator Grant Program will award up to $1,000 for materials or technology that can be used in the classroom in the student’s home.
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Thanks to a collaborative effort, new economic opportunities are on the horizon for Pocahontas County. In 1985, Trout Run Bridge, which spans the Greenbrier River, was washed out during flooding. The bridge was never replaced. Now the West Virginia Division of Highways, West Virginia State Rail Authority, and the owners of the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad are working together to reopen the bridge and connect the rail line from Durbin to Cass and back. The DOH section of the project is scheduled for completion by July 2021.
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