MORGANTOWN — Along with ongoing talk about COVID-19 vaccines, much of Wednesday’s briefing from the governor’s office was occupied with the announcement that West Virginians can now test themselves for coronavirus at home.
The in-home saliva test, Gov. Jim Justice said, is manufactured by Vault Health. The state is covering the cost through CARES money. A look at the Vault Health website shows the tests cost $119 a piece.
They can be ordered at the Department of Health and Human Resources COVID dashboard, coronavirus.wv.gov. The top link box to the right of the dashboard says, “Free COVID-19 In-Home Testing.”
COVID-19 Czar Clay Marsh explained some of the details. Vault will send the sample kit to your home. Follow the instructions to set up a Zoom visit with a Vault representative who will explain how to use the kit.
You send the sample back to Vault in a provided envelope. Results will be sent within 24-48 hours by whichever means you designate — text, email or phone call.
You’re not supposed to eat, drink, smoke or chew tobacco or gum for 30 minutes before placing your saliva sample in the provided tube.
“So that your saliva will be richer from the genetic material from the virus, if you have it,” he said.
The addition of in-home testing, he said, is part of the overall goal to alleviate lines and reduce demand on the health care workforce. The state is also looking into ways for residents to administer their own swab tests under supervision. DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch said another in-home testing company will come online in the next couple weeks.
In response to various questions, it was noted Minnesota had to cap the number of tests offered because of demand, but Justice and Crouch said there are no plans to limit availability here. They will monitor the demand and keep in mind available dollars to pay for them.
They may have to cap, Crouch said, “but we certainly hope not.”
Crouch also said the test is accurate.
Surge and vaccine
The COVID numbers continue to worsen:
778 deaths; 1,087 new cases; 17,125 active cases; 622 hospitalized with 164 in ICUs. There were eight red counties and 19 orange, just shy of half the state’s 55 counties. The number of COVID cases has increased 91% since Halloween. Testing is averaging 13,330 per day.
Justice said the Rt factor reflecting the rate of spread was 1.06, 29th best in the nation.
“Man, if this is 29thbest I’d hate like crazy to see what the others are,” he said. The rt.live site shows the three worst were Washington at 1.27, New Hampshire at 1.29 and Oregon at 1.54.
On the vaccine front, Pfizer said Wednesday it received the world’s first emergency use authorization for a COVID vaccine from the United Kingdom. Marsh said U.S. approval should soon follow.
Moderna’s vaccine is not far behind, Justice and his team said. Justice said he was recently on a call with Vice President Mike Pence and learned Pfizer expects its initial rollout Dec. 14.
Adjutant General James Hoyer said the joint interagency task force charged with the state’s vaccine plans will hold an exercise Thursday to work through processes and procedures, and on Friday he’ll update the White House Operation Warp Speed team.
Other COVID news
Bureau for Public Health Commissioner Ayne Amajd said the bureau urges residents and businesses to avoid large holiday parties where the virus could spread.
If you have a party, she said, don’t serve food buffet-style. Seat people who aren’t members of the same household at least 6 feet apart. Wear masks.
Justice urged older residents, who are the most vulnerable, to consider staying home as much as possible and continue to exercise patience until the vaccine is available.
Justice also fielded a question on what will happen if the state uses up all its CARES money before Congress passes another relief bill.
He’d previously discussed the state’s revenue surplus ($20.1 million for November, $131.7 million fiscal year to date). But if the feds haven’t done anything, he’d need to call a special legislative session to appropriate dollars and shift them from one account to another.
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