West Virginia Governor Jim Justice once again during his Monday COVID-19 response press conference encouraged state residents to go get tested. 

 

Justice went over the state's daily numbers including 317 new positive cases in the last 24 hours, a daily percent rate that is down to 1.28 which he said is a direct correlation of more testing, 5,031 active cases and a new high for hospitalizations at 215. He also said our RT number is up to 1.08, eighth best in the country, but above the 1.00 threshold that health experts warn is in the danger zone.

 

The governor doesn't always bring up nation-wide trends in regard to COVID-19 data but he did on Monday.

 

"Our country's seven-day average just hit the highest level since the pandemic started," Justice said. "It was 68,767 on Sunday for the seven-day average. On Friday and Saturday there was an excess of 83,000 each day.

 

"West Virginia is not immune to this disease. It is right here with us and we are still the most vulnurable state. As this thing races across our country again, we have got to do our part in West Virginia. I know we are tired of wearing masks, but for crying out loud, how much of a nuisance is it compared to people dying. We have got to buckle up."

 

Dr. Clay Marsh, the state's coronavirus czar, said there is only one state in the country with a RT number less than 1.00 as of Monday. He also said there are reports that Utah is looking into rationing health care becuase ICU's are 85 percent full. 

 

"We're trying to reduce the spread of COVID-19," Marsh said. "That's why we keep talking about the importance of wearing a mask, social distancing. In this state we still have plenty of capacity but we are seeing more hospitalizations and that is very consistent with seeing more cases."

 

There are currently COVID outbreaks in 22 public schools with 74 confirmed cases according to Justice. The governor also said there are currently 49 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, 14 outbreaks in churches in 12 different counties, 12 active cases amongst inmates in the state's correctional facilities and seven amongst staff at correctional facilities.

 

Justice began his press conference by offering his condolences to the families of the most recent deaths related to the coronavirus. The state's total is at 424 as of Monday's DHHR update.

 

"It's 424 great West Virginians and it's 424 too many," Justice said. "Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers."

 

Information on when and where free COVID-19 testing is taking place can be found HERE.

 

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