CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Gov. Justice reported that the state’s total number of active cases has continued to drop. However, as expected, the number of West Virginians in the hospital with severe cases continues to hold near peak levels for now.
There are now 13,344 active cases statewide; down more than 1,100 cases since the Governor’s previous briefing on Monday.
The active case count is down by 16,400 cases since peaking just 12 days ago, dropping more than 55% in less than two weeks.
COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov
“There’s every reason to believe we’re right in the eye of the storm. We’re right at the peak of the surge right now,” Gov. Justice said. “I keep reminding everybody all across this wonderful state that the way we can curb this once and for all is by getting vaccinated.”
Meanwhile, the state continues to see a small downward trend in the number of COVID-related hospitalizations, dropping to 974 from 978 on Monday.
The number of patients in ICUs has once again set a new all-time peak of 298. However, the number of patients on ventilators has dropped slightly to 187 from 193 on Monday.
State health experts say that, with the overall case count dropping, the number of severe cases should begin declining as well in the weeks ahead.
The statewide death toll from COVID-19 has reached 3,642, with 74 more deaths being reported since the Governor’s previous briefing on Monday, 38 of which were as a result of the DHHR’s reconciliation process with official death certificates.
The County Alert System map continues to show slow but steady improvement. A total of 45 of the state’s 55 counties are in either the highest-risk Red category or one step below in the Orange category. However, the map now features four counties in the Green category.
“Our young people need to get vaccinated,” Gov. Justice said. “The weather is going to get bad soon and we’re going to stay inside. With this Delta variant being highly infectious and us being inside, the likelihood of unvaccinated kids ending up with COVID is pretty dadgum high, and the possibility of adverse effects from COVID on our kids is real.
“If you’re a parent, I just don’t see how in the world you don’t decide to get your kids vaccinated,” Gov. Justice continued. “Even if you choose not to get vaccinated yourself, your kids depend on you. This vaccine is incredibly safe and it will help all of us.”