Two MOV deaths added to COVID total | News, Sports, Jobs

From staff reports

PARKERSBURG — Two people from the Mid-Ohio Valley region are among the latest people whose deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.

An 82-year old male from Wood County and a 70-year old female from Roane County were among nine deaths reported Monday by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

“We mourn the loss of more West Virginians lost to this pandemic,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR cabinet secretary. “If you have not yet been vaccinated, I urge you to schedule an appointment or visit one of our pop-up sites to protect yourself and your family.”

There have been 5,260 deaths from COVID-19 complications in West Virginia since the pandemic began in March 2020.

There were 8,746 active COVID-19 cases across the state as of Monday’s update.

Active case totals in local counties Monday (Thursday) were: Calhoun, 36 (52); Doddridge, 24 (30); Gilmer, 42 (40); Jackson, 85 (97); Pleasants, 16 (18); Ritchie, 27 (40); Roane, 56 (65); Tyler, 21 (17); Wetzel, 56 (50); Wirt, 19 (16); and Wood, 222 (250).

On the County Alert System map, Jackson County remains red, representing the highest level of spread of the virus based on the lower of the rate of new cases per 100,000 people in a one- or two-week period or the percentage of tests coming back positive.

Wood, Roane and Wetzel counties are orange, the second-highest category. Doddridge and Tyler counties are in the middle of the scale at gold, while Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie and Wirt counties are yellow, the second lowest.

Pleasants County is one of three counties in the state at green, the lowest level.

West Virginians age 5 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, with boosters also being available for those 18 and older. More information about vaccines and vaccination sites can be found online at vaccinate.wv.gov or by calling 1-833-734-0965.