Gov. Justice says 110 have died in W.Va. from COVID-related causes since his last briefing

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — UPDATED, 12:18 p.m. 10/11/21

Gov. Jim Justice continued his grim task of chronicling the mounting number of coronavirus deaths in West Virginia.

At his news conference Monday, the governor said 110 residents have died since his last briefing. The last state coronavirus news conference was Thursday last week.

Video of the news conference can be viewed below:

The governor always reads the name, age, gender and county of residence for every person who dies of COVID-19.

West Virginia’s death total from the pandemic is at 3,976.

Meanwhile, officials reported that the flu is starting to show up around the region. Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s coronavirus czar, said it is safe to get both the flu and coronavirus vaccines at the same time.

ORIGINAL STORY

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice will join other state leaders Monday to provide an update on the coronavirus pandemic.

The news conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be shared below in this story.

Justice on Thursday said he believes West Virginia has passed through the peak of the COVID-19 storm, but said more people who were really sick and hospitalized during the surge have died and more deaths are expected.

“We are heading right toward 4,000 deaths in West Virginia and who knows where it will stop?” Justice said. “We continue to pray to God above to help us get through this, but we do believe our numbers are better but we still need to be on our guard.”

Justice again urged people 18 and over who had their Pfizer vaccine six months ago or longer to get the booster shot. He said the number of people hospitalized who are fully vaccinated is about 20% as of Thursday, a figure he said is directly linked to the need for boosters as the effectiveness of vaccines wanes.

The governor also advised people who are 50 and over that have health issues to wear a mask indoors to help protect themselves.