With 5,949 covid-19 cases and 369 hospitalizations identified by the state, Gov. Jim Justice says conditions are getting bad.
“Everyone should listen. We’re going to have more people die. That’s all there is to it,” the governor said, urging more West Virginians to pursue vaccination.
But the situation is not bad enough, the governor later said, to justify steps like a mandate for face coverings.
“If need be, we’ll move,” Justice said. “But right now we do not think we have to move in that direction.”
Asked by Ogden newspapers reporter Steven Allen Adams to reconcile the two positions, the governor acknowledged he is trying to placate different audiences.
“I always try to not give you a bunch of political stuff, but yeah you’re right. We’re absolutely trying to appease both groups. And the reason is, we’re trying to keep everybody moving together,” Justice said.
“Without any question, I’m trying to skate right across the razor blade.”
Indicating the top priority is continuing to encourage West Virginians to choose vaccination, the governor said he’s trying to avoid taking positions that might prove divisive.
“We’ve got to run the risk of absolutely fragmenting us and going in a lot of different directions, and that can cause a lot of harm, or try with all in me to keep everybody moving in the right direction together, and I choose the latter,” he said.
The questions seeking to draw Justice out on clarifying his position came as West Virginia edged up to nearly 6,000 current active cases of covid-19. West Virginia hasn’t registered that many cases since May.
The 369 covid patients in West Virginia hospitals is the highest since February.
Jim Hoyer, who leads West Virginia’s interagency task force, warned that if the current pace of hospitalizations continues, the state could reach maximum capacity levels in just a couple of weeks.
“We have got to get this under control,” Hoyer said.
State officials expressed some optimism about recent vaccination rates, saying 7,100 doses were administered to West Virginians since last Friday.
“It’s time to be on your toes, West Virginia. It’s time absolutely to be vaccinated,” Justice said.
Of vaccine-eligible West Virginians, 57.4 percent are considered fully vaccinated.
Children under age 12, who are returning right now to elementary school classrooms, have not yet been approved to be vaccinated.
When asked by reporter Kennie Bass whether more precautions should be instituted for school, the governor said “I am always concerned. I think right now we’re still in the wait and see.”
Clay Marsh, the state’s coronavirus response coordinator, noted the key statistics that have been going up, particularly hospitalizations.
“As we look at West Virginia this is really the defining moment for us in many ways,” Marsh said.
Marsh recommended people should voluntarily opt for face covering in crowds and public places. “The more people that wear masks and the more people who are fully vaccinated, the more West Virginia remains safe,” he said.
Asked by reporter Charles Young under what conditions he would recommend further concrete steps by the governor, Marsh said health advisers are watching the trends with statewide numbers and regularly updating Justice.
Marsh recommended people decide for themselves to use masks in public places, but he did not publicly call for a mandate by the governor.
“This unfolding process is having us all worried. We would suggest importantly that families and individuals should not wait for a mandate but take that precaution for themselves and their communities,” Marsh said.