CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — West Virginia officials have revised the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations that will indicate the state’s health care system is overloaded, James Hoyer said Thursday.
Hoyer, who leads the state’s Interagency Task Force for COVID-19 Vaccines, said 500 COVID-19-related hospitalizations statewide is the new benchmark officials are tracking.
“Over a year ago, we were concerned about watching for the number of 800 in our hospitals based on capacity. At one point, we exceeded that to 1,100,” he said. “Today, based on staffing issues and bed availability, the number that we now watch is 500.”
As of Thursday morning, there were 175 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide, including 23 patients in intensive care units and 13 patients on ventilators, according to data from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
There were six pediatric COVID-19 patients, including one patient in an ICU and one patient on a ventilator.
“The numbers have been moving up slowly, but we are closely watching those based on staffing issues going forward,” Hoyer said.
There were 2,117 active COVID-19 cases statewide as of Thursday.
The DHHR also reported nine additional COVID-19 deaths Thursday morning.
The DHHR confirmed the deaths of an 89-year- old female from Greenbrier County, a 77-year-old male from Greenbrier County, and a 67-year-old male from Jefferson County.
Included in the total deaths reported on the dashboard as a result of the Bureau for Public Health’s continuing data reconciliation with the official death certificate are a 67-year- old female from Putnam County, an 81-year-old male from Ohio County, a 27-year-old female from Wayne County, a 72-year- old male from Monongalia County, a 100-year-old female from Mineral County, and a 15-year-old female from Raleigh County. These deaths range from January through May 2022, with three deaths occurring in September and December 2021
“We offer our deepest condolences as our state grieves more losses due to COVID-19,” said DHHR Sec. Bill Crouch. “Scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot are the most powerful ways to prevent further loss of life due to this devastating disease.”
West Virginians ages 5 and older are recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot when due. Second booster shots for those age 50 and over who are 4 months or greater from their first booster are recommended, as well as for younger individuals over 12 years old with serious and chronic health conditions that lead them to being considered moderately to severely immunocompromised.
Visit the WV COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator, a free, online tool that helps individuals figure out when they may be due for a COVID-19 shot, making it easier to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, or to find a vaccine site, visit vaccinate.wv.gov or call 1-833-734-0965.
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