With a record number of individuals in West Virginia’s hospitals and the numbers steadily rising for weeks, Gov. Jim Justice announced today that certain elective will be eliminated.

 

This came as Justice said the state currently has 597 individuals hospitalized. Of that total, 162 are in intensive care units.

 

While Justice said the surgeries being eliminated would likely be those not requiring overnight stays, Dr. Clay Marsh – the state’s COVID-19 Czar – said later that it involved surgeries that would be for in-patient stays that would take up hospital beds. Regardless, those having elective surgeries planned could see an elimination of those procedures, Marsh said by prioritizing them, for up to at least the next 45 days.

 

“This situation is really critical,” said Justice who announced a record 16,787 active cases in West Virginia, and questioned “how many are going to die from this?”

 

Justice said after hearing WVU Health System President Albert Wright being concerned that hospital are going to be overrun, he said he talked to Marsh, who said a call was held with the state hospital association this morning, about stopping elective surgeries. From that conversation led to the latest decision.

 

“What we see is perhaps the worst days are ahead of us,” said Marsh, who said the hospitals are currently able to handle the cases. “… This is starting to accelerate around the country and we’re seeing the first part of that acceleration in West Virginia.”

 

Major General James Hoyer also talked about issues with hospitals.

 

“In less than 10 weeks, we have three times the growth of COVID-19 patients in hospitals,” said Hoyer, who talked about the uneven balance in cases and deaths that come from nursing homes.

 

Justice said there could be more efforts to mitigate the spread. The efforts may not be statewide, but rather on a county by county basis.

 

“We’re looking at more stringent mitigation in certain counties,” said Justice, who pointed to counties bordering other states as potential areas where the mitigation may occur. “We may announce more mitigation Wednesday.”

 

 

The press conference started late because Justice said he had to get through a small protest outside his offices in Charleston. He said the group protesting had to be pushed back because they were not wearing masks. The protest was, ironically, being held by people not wanting to wear masks.

 

Justice said he respected differing opinions but could not understand the thinking behind it. He found it troubling on a day when he had to announced, “40 more West Virginians have died.”

 

While deaths have shot up since last Wednesday’s press conference, so too has the amount of testing. Justice said the state has tested 97,935 individuals.

 

As for the state’s rate of transmission, or Rt, is at 1.00. That number, he said, is 15th best in the country.

 

Other numbers also included an update on schools. He said there are currently 24 outbreaks and 106 cases in the state’s school system.

 

“Schools are really and truly still a petty dadgum safe haven,” said Justice.

 

Other numbers have 111 positive cases in long-term care facilities. There were also 21 outbreaks in churches in 15 counties, including Harrison, Marion, and Taylor Counties in North Central West Virginia.

 

Justice emphasized mask wearing is the only thing, right now, that can potentially slow the spread of the virus. He said that could change if the initial wave of vaccine from Pfizer arrives in West Virginia, which he is still expecting to be Dec. 11 or Dec. 12. He said a second vaccine from Moderna could arrive after that as that pharmaceutical giant was working to get emergency approval from the FDA today.

 

When asked if he would be requiring students or staff at public schools to take the vaccine, Justice said he did not think he “had the authority” to require it.

 

Justice started the press conference by announcing the death of 40 more West Virginians due to COVID-19-related complications and reading of the county and age of those individuals. The death toll in the state is currently 735.

 

“It’s tough and tough and tough on these families. God above, give them some peace and be with these families,” said Justice.

Information on free testing can be be found HERE

 

Video of Wednesday's press conference can be viewed below.