West Virginia officials again emphasized the need for state residents to be vaccinated for covid-19 as the delta variant dominates new cases around the nation.
West Virginians who are fully vaccinated have a 0.1 percent infection rate, said Clay Marsh, the covid-19 response coordinator for the state.
“As we look at the people affected, it really is the people who have not been vaccinated,” Marsh said.
State figures show that 862,930 residents — or 48 percent — are fully vaccinated.
Gov. Jim Justice announced new vaccination rate goals for older West Virginians.
He said the state will now aim for the vaccinations of 90 percent of people 65 and older. Right now, state figures show 78 percent of residents in that age category are considered fully vaccinated — although 88.7 percent have received at least one shot.
And Justice said the state will aim to vaccinate 85 percent of residents age 50 and over. At this point, 70 percent in that age group are considered fully vaccinated and 81 percent have at least one dose.
“Absolutely, I believe it with all my soul that if you’ll be vaccinated you’ll not only save lives but you’ll be so pleased with the ease, the effectiveness,” Justice said.
Marsh noted the state’s “very subtle increases in hospitalizations and ICU admissions.”
Hospitalizations have ticked back up to 80, according to state figures.
That number was recently as low as 52 on July 4. The number was 62 one week ago.
Covid patients admitted to intensive care units is now at 39, according to the state.
That number was 17 on July 4 and 22 one week ago.
Mash noted the current numbers are less than at the pandemic’s peak but still worrisome.
“This is still significantly less than we had been seeing, but I think it does underscore the reality we’re still in,” Marsh said. “We have a number of people highly susceptible to serious disease being unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.”