Nearly 2,000 new COVID cases reported in West Virginia over holiday weekend

“We’ve had 1,995 new positive cases — that we know about,” he said. “A lot of people have these home test kits, and we may not even know about (their results). But 1,995 we do know.”

Officials are using hospital admissions — specifically the number of COVID-19 patients in ICU units and on ventilators — as a gauge of the status of the pandemic, said James Hoyer, who leads the state’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution efforts.

“Our hospital numbers are around 220, so just short of half of what we believe would be a challenging point for us,” he said. “We continue to monitor that, and we will continue to monitor specifically ICU and ventilator use, which seems to be trending lower than what we have seen in the past.”

Officials aren’t watching for specific benchmarks when monitoring the state’s overall ICU and ventilator numbers, Hoyer said.

“We watch them to ensure that we have plenty of availability compared to what the caseload of current hospitals are during summertime peak use of hospitals,” he said. “It’s based on trends in each individual hospital and location. It’s not a statewide number that we’re managing; it’s more focused on each individual hospital.”

More than 300 members of the West Virginia National Guard provided nonclinical support at hospitals, nursing facilities and state-run mental health facilities from Jan. 12 through March 11 amid staffing shortages and increased hospitalizations driven by the first Omicron virus variant.

The Guard’s formal role in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic ended July 1, but that is not expected to impact the state’s ability to utilize Guard members in hospitals, according to Maj. Gen. Bill Crane, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard.

“We’re always going to be ready, and we’re always prepared to step up and do the missions required,” he said.

On Tuesday morning, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reported five additional COVID-19 deaths in the state.

The DHHR confirmed the deaths of a 92-year-old female from Kanawha County, a 55-year-old female from Kanawha County, a 73-year-old female from Randolph County, an 86-year-old female from Clay County and a 95-year old female from Jackson County.

The state’s total COVID-19 death toll now stands at 7,069.

“As we solemnly observe this loss of life, we must continue to fight this virus through vaccination and booster shots,” said DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill Crouch. “It is our duty to protect our fellow West Virginians.”

There were 2,150 active COVID-19 cases statewide as of Tuesday morning.

There were 220 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide, including 29 in ICU units and seven on ventilators. There six pediatric COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide.

West Virginians ages 6 months and older are recommended to get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Those 5 years and older should receive a booster shot when due.

Second booster shots are recommended for those age 50 and over who are 4 months or more from their first booster, as well as for younger individuals over 12 years old with serious and chronic health conditions that lead 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.