Putnam health department hopes to boost vaccinations as variant spread worsens
People showed up at a Putnam County COVID testing and vaccination site Wednesday morning, but only two vaccinations and 17 tests were administered – a typical day for local health officials. (WCHS)
PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — State health officials say the expected surge from the COVID-19 Delta variant is almost here in West Virginia.
People showed up at a Putnam County COVID testing and vaccination site Wednesday morning, but only two vaccinations and 17 tests were administered – a typical day for local health officials.
“I’d like to see those numbers actually reversed,” Lolita Kirk, executive director of the Putnam County Health Department, said. “You know, instead of testing 20 some people a day I’d like to be able to vaccinate 20 some people a day.”
The state’s coronavirus czar continued his push for vaccinations Wednesday and warned that the Delta variant surge is almost here.
“We don’t want to see people in hospitals, ICU’s dying,” Dr. Clay Marsh said.
The Putnam County Health Department hopes to boost its voluntary COVID vaccination numbers at walk-in clinics for required school vaccinations.
“So parents can walk in with their kids, get any required school immunizations that 7th through 12th grades require, and we will be offering for those children that are eligible, COVID vaccines at the same clinic,” Kirk said.
Active cases topped 2,800 in the state on Wednesday with 185 hospitalized.
Testing is showing that 74% of new cases in July in West Virginia involve the Delta variant, compared to 10% in June. Testing is encouraged, but the push now is vaccinations.
Putnam County will team up with Fruth Pharmacy on Friday to offer a drive-thru test and vaccine clinic at Teays Valley Baptist Church.