West Virginia COVID-19 czar: Exercise to explore hospital support options planned for Aug. 22

“That, at this point, is scheduled for the near future,” he said. “I think Aug. 22 is the date for the tabletop exercise.”

James Hoyer, who leads the JITF, first mentioned the tabletop exercise on July 14, saying it would be used to determine potential strategies for backstopping and supporting the state’s hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities when the state reaches the “benchmark of concern” of 500 COVID-19 hospitalizations.

While the state had the capacity to care for more than 800 hospitalized COVID-19 patients a year ago, the benchmark was revised to 500 in early June due to staffing shortages and other logistical concerns.

The state can exceed the 500-patient benchmark, but doing so will further strain its already overburdened health care systems, Gov. Jim Justice said.

“We can insulate ourselves and go higher than that, but at 500 it starts to get uncomfortable,” he said.

COVID-19 is not the only issue health care providers are dealing with, Marsh said.

“The hospitals are currently not having capacity limitations just because of COVID,” he said. “Many hospitals have big backlogs of surgeries and medical care that people put off during the pandemic surges that we’ve seen previously. So the hospitals are very full — both with patients with COVID, but also with people without (COVID).”

There were 399 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in West Virginia as of Tuesday morning, according to the state Department of Health and Human Resources.

There were 61 COVID-19 patients in ICU units, and 15 COVID-19 patients on ventilators statewide.

There were 12 pediatric COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide, including six patients in ICU units and one patient on a ventilator.

The DHHR also reported four additional COVID-19 related deaths Tuesday morning.

The DHHR confirmed the deaths of an 83-year old male from Kanawha County, an 81-year old male from Cabell County, a 69-year old male from Wayne County, and a 78-year old female from Mercer County.

“COVID-19 has hurt far too many West Virginia families,” said DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch. “I urge all to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot as soon as possible.”

A total of 7,192 deaths attributed to COVID-19 have occurred in West Virginia since the start of the pandemic.

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 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 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.

To locate COVID-19 testing, please visit dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx.