COVID-19 Still A Threat To Elderly W.Va. Population

Since the end of the Public Health Emergency on May 11, West Virginia has continued to lose lives to COVID-19.

In this week’s update, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reported six additional deaths attributed to the virus in the past week bringing the total number to 8,155.

In the past week, 99 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state, according to the Coronavirus Disease Dashboard. This places West Virginia’s incidence rate at 3.74 percent, a nearly 2 percent drop in infections since the previous update. An incidence rate is used to measure the frequency of occurrence of new cases of infection within a defined population during a specified time frame.

According to the DHHR, West Virginians ages six months and older are recommended to stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination.

Those 65 years and older, and those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, are eligible for at least one additional Omicron COVID-19 shot for updated protection. 

Since March of this year, the average age of persons testing positive for COVID-19 is above 50 years of age. Persons 71 years of age and older account for 40 percent of all positive cases reported in the past seven days.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of June 11, there were 14 cases of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities in West Virginia with an infection rate of 1.6 percent.

In the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, there are 34 inmates who have tested positive and one staff member.

Visit the WV COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator to determine when you may be due for a COVID-19 shot.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.