Rising covid-19 numbers draw warnings from state officials while booster guidelines open up

On day 621 of the covid-19 pandemic, state leaders warned of ominous numbers yet again and urged vaccination.

James Hoyer

“West Virginia, the pandemic is not over. The reason the governor presses you to get your vaccination and your booster shot is because it is the one weapon we have to protect you,” said Jim Hoyer, leader of West Virginia’s interagency task force.

Only 53.8 percent of state residents are considered fully-vaccinated, according to state figures. 

West Virginia’s 7-day vaccination average has been relatively flat, at 1,997 by Thursday. The prior Thursday, the rate was 1,491.

State officials have been promoting booster shots as a way to assure protection for people who have demonstrated being open to vaccination in the first place.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today authorized covid-19 booster shots by Pfizer and Moderna for all adults. The CDC’s advisory committee quickly followed suit this afternoon.

Up to now those booster shots had been recommended for adults with other health factors that could worsen the outcome of covid-19.

But one of the goals of federal officials is reducing confusion about who might be eligible for a booster.

“Streamlining the eligibility criteria and making booster doses available to all individuals 18 years of age and older will also help to eliminate confusion about who may receive a booster dose and ensure booster doses are available to all who may need one,” Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement this morning.

Gov. Jim Justice and his advisers have been telling West Virginia residents for weeks that they should seek out a booster if six months have passed since their initial doses.

Dr. Clay Marsh

“Please get your booster,” said Dr. Clay Marsh, West Virginia’s top covid-19 adviser.

West Virginia’s total number of active covid-19 cases has risen somewhat amid concerns of a spike coinciding with cold weather and upcoming holidays.

Active cases reached 7,275 today — the first time exceeding 7,000 this month. Until recently, active cases had been trending steadily downward.

Hospitalizations because of the virus are 522, up three from Thursday. 169 patients are in the intensive care unit with 98 needing the assistance of a ventilator to breathe.

Hoyer noted that hospitalizations dropped from their high number a few weeks ago — but plateaued and have never gone below 500 on any given day.

“We know we are going to see an additional increase coming forward, and we are going to be challenged again in our hospitals,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer said the state’s covid-19 transmission rate was at .99 today “and headed to go above 1, which we know starts our trigger for hospitalization, ICU patients as well as ventilator patients.”

Justice echoed the warning, “We can stop this, but we’ve got to get you vaccinated.”





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