Gov. Jim Justice opened his first briefing of this week with the somber responsibility of reading 110 COVID-19 deaths.
Of those 110, 28 were reconciliation deaths, he said, bringing the state to 3,976.
“We urge you to get vaccinated,” he said. “It’s the only way on earth that I know of that we can slow this thing down.”
While the death rate mounts, other numbers appear to be declining — there are currently 840 people hospitalized, 250 in ICUs and 168 on ventilators. The state has 10,561 active cases.
Pfizer boosters are available for eligible people 18 and older, Justice said, while Dr. Clay Marsh noted they are currently looking at the possibility of mixing vaccines for third shots — giving a Pfizer booster to someone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, for instance.
The medical team also urged West Virginians to get their flu shots — you can get a flu shot and a COVID-19 shot at the same time — to avoid what some are calling a potential “twindemic.”
There is an outbreak in a veterans nursing home in Clarksburg, where eight residents and two staff have tested positive. Justice said the National Guard is on its way to the facility to help with cleaning and other mitigation efforts.
In non-health-related COVID-19 news, Justice reminded renters and landlords that assistance money is still available for those who suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic.
Justice also said he and his team and strongly considering a third round of Do It For Babydog vaccination incentives — this time, perhaps, geared even more narrowly to appeal to young residents.
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