West Virginia once more reported a seven-day document of recent COVID-19 infections within the week starting on Jan. 3 and ending on Sunday, in response to well being figures launched Monday.
The state's 16,903 confirmed instances throughout these seven days had been 50 p.c greater than the previous document of almost 11,300 set within the earlier week, with each marking the primary two weeks all through the pandemic to doc greater than 10,000.
Governor Jim Justice has been urging residents of the state to get vaccinated amid the Omicron-fueled surge. Final week, he requested the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) for permission to distribute a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to important staff and other people over 50 to guard these most weak to the virus.
He famous at a information convention that Israel has already authorised the fourth shot for essentially the most weak members of its inhabitants.
"We have got to do one thing," Justice mentioned. "Both we sit again and simply let our folks die and we sit again and let our hospitals be overrun, or we attempt. If the CDC comes again and says no we won't do that now, after which there's sufficient governors that go collectively, we'll positive go along with them. After which we might get throughout the end line that means."
Defending individuals who face an elevated threat from the virus could also be particularly essential in West Virginia, which is dwelling to the third-oldest inhabitants within the nation. Virtually 20 p.c of its 1.79 million persons are older than 65.
In regard to the share of residents affected by different threat components like diabetes, coronary heart illness and weight problems, the state can also be close to the highest of the listing.
Dr. Clay Marsh, West Virginia's coronavirus knowledgeable, mentioned that it was a "crucial time" for the state and voiced hope for a fast resolution from the CDC on fourth doses.
"We've got not seen the brunt of what omicron will do," Marsh mentioned. "The efficiency of these vaccines are sporting off. We won't afford to have our most weak get sick from COVID-19."
The figures on the Division of Well being and Human Sources web site do not embody at-home testing.
The variety of virus sufferers in hospitals has jumped 23 p.c this month to 815, the best complete since mid-October. The 224 COVID-19 sufferers in intensive care models and the 133 sufferers on ventilators additionally had been three-month highs.
About half of West Virginia's inhabitants is absolutely vaccinated.
There have been at the very least 5,445 virus-related deaths within the state for the reason that begin of the pandemic.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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