COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice: Number of ICU patients reaches all-time high; West Virginia experiencing fastest acceleration of new cases in nation -…

Gov. Justice: Our hospitals are still overwhelmingly inundated with cases of people that are not vaccinated.

COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov

This comes exactly one week after the state record for the number of patients on ventilators was broken. Wednesday, that number also continued to increase to never-before-seen levels, with a new all-time high of 132 West Virginians now onventilators.

West Virginias total number of COVID-related hospitalizations has increased to 813; just five away from the all-time record in that category as well. And, as Gov. Justice pointed out Wednesday, there is a common thread between the vast majority of these severe cases.

Just like if you have a big, roaring fire, the fire might start off in a few places, but after awhile, if you have enough dry timber and have too few number of firewalls, that fire can start to consume more and more of the of the forest, and start to join in to create one, raging fire, Dr. Marsh continued. That's exactly what I believe were experiencing right now in West Virginia. And, as the Governor has said, the way to generate the firewalls is vaccination. Theres really no other intervention that works as well as that.

As this variant continues to burn itself out, we predict it may take as much as another five to seven or maybe as many as 10 to 14 days for that to happen.

The statewide death toll from COVID-19 reached 3,169 on Wednesday, with 21 deaths occurring since his last briefing just two days ago.

The total number of active COVID-19 cases in West Virginia has now reached 22,215; an increase of over 700 new cases in the past two days.

Meanwhile, the County Alert System map now shows that a whopping 44 of the states 55 counties are now in the highest-risk Red category. Another eight counties are one step below in the Orange category.

Weve given out 11,000 vaccine doses since last Friday, Gov. Justice said. It sounds good, but its not enough. Weve still got so many folks out there that we need to get across the finish line.

All West Virginians interested in being vaccinated are encouraged to visitVaccinate.wv.govor call theWest Virginia Vaccine Info Line: 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.

To qualify, all vaccine-eligible members of the grandfamily including grandparents and grandchildren ages 12 and older must have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The family must also be enrolled in West Virginia State Universitys Healthy Grandfamilies program. Enroll at healthygrandfamilies.com.

Healthy Grandfamilies which provides information and resources to grandparents who are raising one or more grandchildren is assisting in the administration of the school voucher incentive. According to the organization, about 19,000 West Virginia children live in households with a grandparent or grandparents as their primary caregiver.

All West Virginians who have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can register atDoitforBabydog.wv.govfor an opportunity to join the list of winners.Over 188,000West Virginians have already registered for Round 2 of the sweepstakes.

*Those who previously registered for Round 1 of the vaccination sweepstakes are required to register again to be eligible for Round 2*

Additional weekly prizes for vaccinated West Virginians ages 18+ include:

While the registration deadline to be eligible for this week's giveaway has passed, vaccinated West Virginiansare still able to register for future drawings.

Prize drawings will be held weekly, with winners being announced each Thursday through Oct. 7.

Click here: COVID-19 Outbreaks in State Public Schools (WVDE)

Tenschools and one entire county school system Clay County are currently closed due to COVID-19.

As of this afternoon, a total of 29 county school systems have face covering requirements, 13 counties have criteria for requiring face coverings, and 13 counties do not haveface covering requirements.

Click here: District-by-district face covering guidance (as of Sept. 8)

Additionally, there are now 62 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state.

Meanwhile, there are now 134active inmate cases and 58active staff cases across the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation system. To view the latest DCR case update, click here.

I congratulate them both in every way, Gov. Justice said. What incredible work both of you do. Youre both very deserving of this great honor.

Casto is an eighth grade West Virginia Studies teacher at Milton Middle School in Cabell County and a 13-year education veteran. In addition to his classroom duties, he serves his school as a member of Milton Middle Schools leadership team, a team leader and a West Virginia Quiz Bowl coach. Outside of school, Casto coaches tee-ball, works with teens in his churchs youth group, and enjoys exploring the state with his wife and three children.

Miller is a cafeteria manager at Wayne High School in Wayne County. A pillar of support for her students and community, she has been in her current role for 19 years. Millers consistent dedication is displayed by her involvement in the development and implementation of her schools meal pick-up program, school improvement days, and cooking pre-game meals for the football team. Additionally, she participates in fundraising dinners for Hospice of Huntington and is involved with the Wayne County Special Olympics.

I congratulate all of this years finalists, Gov. Justice said. Weve got a lot of great, great teachers and service personnel who do incredible work across the state with our kids.

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This annual observance held on the second Saturday of each September celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of first responders in West Virginia; including firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical services workers, and 911 telecommunicators.

This years Heroes Day happens to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Its an event that none of us will ever, ever forget, Gov. Justice said.

We salute all the heroes across our state and nation that always run to the fire, Gov. Justice continued. I say it over and over, but we love them and we thank them.

The Governor went on to add that a special Heroes Day celebration will be held this Saturday at the Ritchie County 4H Grounds just outside of Harrisville.

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COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice: Number of ICU patients reaches all-time high; West Virginia experiencing fastest acceleration of new cases in nation -...