CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reduced the statewide death total due to COVID-19 by 162 in its Tuesday virus report, a move announced on Monday after review from the DHHR’s epidemiology team.
State Health Officer Dr. Ayne Amjad said during Gov. Jim Justice’s coronavirus briefing on Monday that the DHHR’s epidemiology team conducted a reverse death match by pulling official death certificates.
“Our early reporting is early reporting. After reviewing the death certificates, we did find 162 people who did pass away, did not die as a COVID-related death. We will be removing those numbers,” Amjad said.
The statewide death total on Tuesday is now 2,662. The DHHR reported 2,821 COVID-related deaths in West Virginia on Monday.
“This update reflects consistency with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting and provides a more accurate reflection of COVID-19 deaths in West Virginia,” the DHHR said in its daily COVID-19 update on Tuesday.
There were three deaths confirmed on Tuesday including the deaths of a 56-year old male from Berkeley County, a 57-year old male from Mineral County, and a 47-year old male from Mercer County.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for the families and friends of these West Virginians,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary in a release. “We offer our sympathies to each and every person connected to these individuals.”