With numbers continuing to trend in the wrong direction with COVID-19 and with the Delta Variant cases now in triple digits, Gov. Jim Justice today announced several new initiatives to an “enemy” that he said is coming.

 

“We have 100 delta cases in the state of West Virginia. We all know the infection rate of this is a thousand-fold,” said Justice, who said the recent updates show there are 147 people hospitalized and 54 of those are in the intensive care unit. “… We’ve got to do something and do something fast.”

 

Justice said he did not want to be an alarmist and there is not yet a move being set to go back to mask mandates or anything of that nature. Later in the press briefing, he said restrictions and nursing homes and elective surgeries being eliminated, as well as returning to a lockdown, are also not currently being considered. He added that he was open to continue evaluate the situation as the fluid nature of COVID will determine upcoming course of action.

 

Later in the press briefing, Justice was asked if vaccines and masks would be required for state employees similar to other states and recent mandates for federal workers.

 

“We’re not there now, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get there,” said Justice, who also recommended kids get vaccinated before returning to school next month.

 

Some action was taken today. Justice announced several initiatives as he said his concern level is going up.

 

“I’ve got my gun up, my safety off and my finger on the trigger. I can see the enemy coming and I’m hesitant to shoot or not … The enemy’s coming and the enemy is this Delta variant.”

 

With that in mind, Justice said he is directing the state’s COVID Task Force to reevaluate current PPE levels in the state, to look at hospital staffing and bed availability, look at nursing homes for staffing and preventative measures to see that there is a sufficient supply of antibodies on hand.

 

Another measure, said Justice, is a result of what he said information that may show antibodies, particularly for those 60 and above, may wane a bit that would help fight off the Delta variant. Because of that, Justice said that state is immediately starting a program for that age group who is six months out from having their vaccine known as the “Booster Battlefield Assessment.”

 

“We’re doing an assessment of the battlefield and the battlefield is the Delta variant. We know two months out from their vaccination they begin to lose antibody resistance. Six months out we need to evaluate,” said Justice.

 

Justice said the assessment will be voluntary for people in the aforementioned age demographic. He said individuals meeting the criteria will be asked to draw blood to check antibody levels and compile data.

 

“It will come out if your antibody level has dropped below X then through Pfizer and the CDC that you need a booster shot to protect you,” said Justice, who said “I’ve been advised that, without any doubt, that within the next few weeks this thing is going to get significantly worse.”

 

The testing will be free, and the data will be shared with the CDC and vaccine manufacturers, said Justice. He said details on how to take part will be released soon.

 

Justice was asked if the CDC should have already been doing this testing and if he had lost confidence in the agency. Justice said everyone has probably lost faith in Washington, D.C.

 

Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s COVID-19 Czar, backed Justice’s concern. He said on June 16, the Delta variant was 10 percent of the nation’s cases and now that number is 93 percent. He said it is now at 78 percent of the new cases in West Virginia. Marsh said 66 percent of those infected were not vaccinated, but the rest were fully vaccinated

 

Another announcement was Justice saying the COVID press briefings will return to Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting next week.

 

In other regular data provided, Justice said there are currently five outbreaks in long-term care facilities in the state. He added there are 10 outbreaks in nine counties in churches with Marion being the only local county.

 

The one positive area involves the prisons in West Virginia. He said there is currently one inmate and one staff member that is COVID positive.

 

Justice started the press briefing reading off the counties, gender, and ages of the deaths due to COVID-19 since Tuesday’s press briefing. There have now been 2,944 deaths in the state as the result of COVID.

 

“For these families, for all these people who have brought wisdom to West Virginia like nobody’s business … to all their loved ones, please think about them and keep them in your prayers,” said Justice.