Gov. Jim Justice opened the doors Monday for more West Virginians who have pre-existing medical conditions to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with the goal of having almost all state residents vaccinated by May 1.
People 16 and older with chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, Down’s syndrome, obesity, or sickle cell anemia will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Also included are all West Virginia school employees 50 and older and essential workers who want to receive the shots. Other conditions include liver disease, heart disease and asthma.
“Take the vaccine,” Justice said during his regular media briefing. “Every day I read the people who have died from this. This vaccine is so safe, it’s off the charts.”
Justice said there have been 20 COVID-19 related deaths since Friday, bringing the state’s death total to 2,531 out of a total of 135,678 confirmed cases. There are 5,214 active cases of the virus, down 80% from January. Monongalia County has 8,308 cases of the virus.
The governor said 151 people remain hospitalized with COVID-19 and 50 of those are in intensive care. Plus, 24 inmates and 10 staff members at state correctional facilities have the virus.
“We have 635,801 doses in arms,” said Justice, adding 58% of state residents 65 and older have received their shots. It’s a great success story.”
Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s coronavirus Czar, said there are still only four reported cases in West Virginia of the UK variant. He said the vaccines have proven effective against that strain.
Separately, State Health Officer Dr. Ayne Amjad said spring break is fast approaching and warned that people still need to be on guard. Several states – West Virginia is not one of them – have dropped their mask requirements.
“Wear a mask,” she said.
States that no longer require masks in public include South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Alaska.
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