W.Va. officials believe Delta variant may have peaked; aftermath could strain hospitals

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia's COVID task force said it is looking like the Delta variant has peaked in West Virginia, but it's aftermath could strain hospitals for as long as another six weeks.

Gov. Jim Justice will use federal COVID money to underwrite hospital costs for shifting medical workers from elective surgery to treating COVID patients.

While the governor and key advisers feel the Delta variant may have finally peaked in West Virginia, it's deadly consequences and threat to hospital care are not over. Active cases dropped sharply Monday, but still topped 20,000.

“We think we're at the peak, and if we're at the peak, if we can make this another four to six weeks, maybe only two or three, things will get a lot better,” Justice said.

The state's coronavirus czar, Dr. Clay Marsh, has indicated that serious issues with hospitalizations and deaths can drag on for weeks after the virus hits a peak.

“So West Virginia, it's really important for you to go get vaccinated if you haven't been vaccinated,” Marsh said. “Be really careful. Don't overwhelm the emergency rooms of our hospitals with problems that you can contract your primary care provider or your primary clinic to be able to get help for."

The governor announced "Saving Our Care," where the state's federal COVID money will go to hospitals with staffing problems that shift medical workers from elective surgeries to COVID care to make up lost revenue.

COVID hospitalizations still top 900 and state officials fear they could be forced to ration care if numbers get higher.

It's unclear yet if weekend football gatherings will turn into super spreader events, but West Virginia University officials touted a high vaccination rate for cutting campus COVID cases and quarantines compared to last year. West Virginia reported 54 more COVID deaths Monday.