Gov. Jim Justice was touting his plan to eliminate the state’s income tax on Friday when a COVID-19 briefing broke out.
While the session easily focused as much on taxes as coronavirus, Justice did provide an update on vaccination efforts, including a new initiative allowing health science students to get involved.
The WVVACS Team, or West Virginia Vaccine Administration Collaboration & Support, will be comprised of health science students and educators who volunteer to assist in COVID-19 vaccine distribution across the state.
Justice said the program is a collaboration of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the National Guard, and the Department of Health and Human Resources.
“So far, more than 1,000 students have signed up to complete the training and help our communities throughout the spring, summer and fall,” he said, noting more than 100 students have completed the training and have been given assignments.
“It just goes on and on, but it tells us in every way that, again, our higher ed folks are stepping up, our students are stepping up … It is really good. We thank them in every way.”
With every West Virginian 16 or older eligible to preregister for vaccination, Justice said the name of the game now is getting as many shots in arms as possible, even if that means coming to you.
“We’re reaching out to our manufacturers and our businesses to set up private clinics and everything, as well as reaching out if any pastors or whomever it may be, leaders of your church, would call in, we’ll come there and vaccinate your congregations,” Justice said, adding “Just give us a call.”
COVID-19 Czar Clay Marsh said that the far more infectious and lethal United Kingdom variant of the virus probably makes up at least 30%, but probably closer to 50%, of new cases.
Marsh said updated numbers on UK variant cases in the state will be provided next week.
He went on to say that the data is clear that the variant is not only infecting younger and younger people, but putting them in the hospital.
“Nobody has a pass on being at risk of getting COVID-19 today, young people included,” Marsh said, urging everyone over 16 to “absolutely please choose to be vaccinated.”
Justice opened his briefing noting seven West Virginians had died of the virus since Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 2,688.
He also noted that the state’s active cases had climbed to 6,642, including 420 in the previous 24 hours and that three counties — Jefferson, Raleigh, Berkeley — remain in the red based on infection rate/percentage of positivity.
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