COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice announces zero COVID-19-related deaths reported in past 24 hours; state to receive 15,500 doses of new vaccine this week

Press Release

Gov. Jim Justice joined West Virginia health leaders and other officials today for his latest daily press briefing regarding the State's COVID-19 response.

ZERO COVID-19-RELATED DEATHS REPORTED IN PAST 24 HOURS
During Monday's briefing, Gov. Justice announced that zero new COVID-19-related deaths have been reported in West Virginia over the past 24 hours.

Click here to view West Virginia COVID-19 Dashboard

"This is something that has been a long time coming," Gov. Justice said. "I am so delighted by this, it's unbelievable."

This marks the first time since Nov. 27, 2020, where West Virginia has gone a full day without a single COVID-19-related death being reported.

"West Virginia, you're doing better; it's really, really good," Gov. Justice said. "But, on Saturday and Sunday, we still had nine deaths reported. We hate like crazy to think about these nine people, and absolutely all their families that are hurting and all their loved ones. Please don't let them become just a statistic."

WEST VIRGINIA TO RECEIVE 15,500 DOSES OF NEW JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE THIS WEEK
Also on Monday, Gov. Justice announced that, following the FDA's emergency authorization of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine over the weekend, West Virginia is set to receive an initial allocation of 15,500 doses of the new vaccine this week.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one shot, unlike the two-shot dosing for the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and it does not require special refrigeration for shipment and storage, making it particularly appealing for use in West Virginia's rural areas.

In addition, the Governor announced that West Virginia will also be receiving 36,270 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 34,100 doses of the Moderna vaccine this week.

"We're ready for these doses. We're going to knock them out just as fast as they get here," Gov. Justice said. "Again, I thank all those that have pushed and pushed on the federal government to get us more vaccines."

VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UPDATE: NEARLY HALF OF STATE'S 65+ POPULATION NOW VACCINATED
Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice announced that nearly half of all West Virginia residents age 65 and older have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through operation "Save Our Wisdom."

The SOW vaccination clinics, which continue to operate in all 55 counties statewide each week, have now provided vaccinations to 170,512 West Virginians age 65+, including 99,528 who are now fully vaccinated.

"This is one of the numbers we should absolutely be most proud of," Gov. Justice said. "I want to continue to encourage all those age 65 and older to get registered."

Each clinic location has its own, unique schedule. Names are being pulled from the West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System to fill out appointments after waitlists are exhausted. All clinics require appointments and walk-ins will not be accepted.

West Virginia was the first state in the nation to put a statewide vaccination pre-registration system in place. The new digital tool allows West Virginians to add themselves to a list of people who are interested in being vaccinated, and will notify those who sign up about the availability of vaccine doses to help streamline vaccination efforts.

To date, more than 310,000 West Virginians have signed up to be added to the pre-registration list.

All West Virginians over the age of 16 are encouraged to pre-register at vaccinate.wv.gov.

Vaccine supplies are limited, so pre-registration does not mean immediate access to vaccination. Pre-registration offers West Virginians the opportunity to receive real-time updates on vaccine availability and schedule an appointment when available as vaccine supplies allow. The vaccine registration system allows people to select their preferences for communication through text, email, or voicemail over regular phone lines.

West Virginians who need assistance with registration for any reason should call the COVID-19 Vaccine Info Line for help at 1-833-734-0965. The info line is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Governor went on to say that increased emphasis on pre-registrations is needed in a handful of counties across the state, including Berkeley, Jackson, Jefferson, Mason, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Morgan, and Wayne counties. The Governor urged West Virginians in these counties with friends and family age 65 and older to help these individuals get pre-registered.

Meanwhile, the Governor also reported that West Virginia remains among the national leaders in the rate of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration.

As of Monday morning, 11.7 percent of West Virginia's entire population has received both doses of the vaccines; a rate so high that, if West Virginia were its own country, it would rank as the 7th-best rate of any nation in the world.

West Virginia has successfully administered 496,698 doses after receiving a total allotment of 520,535 doses from the federal government to date; an overall administration rate of 95.4%.

West Virginia boasts a first dose administration rate of 91.8% and a second dose administration rate of 101.5%, which exceeds 100% due to extra doses being extracted from vials of the vaccine.
First doses: 298,942 administered / 325,745 allotted
Second doses: 197,756 administered / 194,790 allotted
West Virginia COVID-19 Dashboard (Click "Vaccine Summary" tab)

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