MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The DHHR is reporting 141 COVID-19 deaths statewide, 1914 actives cases and a cumulative infection rate of 2.37 percent.
Since July, cases in rural area across the country and in West Virginia have increased dramatically along with deaths and hospitalizations.
“We are seeing infections in a group of people that are much more vulnerable, but also we’re seeing infections in people without the same immediate access to really high-end, complex healthcare,statewide COVID czar Dr. Clay Marsh said on Talkline.
The recent spike in cases in the southern part of West Virginia is targeting a section of our population that has numerous comorbidities, according to Dr. Marsh.
“That combination of having a vulnerable population, higher instances of obesity and smoking,”Dr. Marsh said,”And some of the things that we know makes COVID outcomes worse.”
The surge in cases is now timed with the start of in-person classes at public schools across the state. Teachers, students and parents have all expressed some degree of concern for the return to classes.
“We’re paying strict and close attention to those schools systems in our country that are initiating classes,”Dr. Marsh said,”To try to understand from them the things we didn’t understand or anticipate that they are now doing.”
School systems continue preparations for the September 8 return to classes, but as cases surge more anxiety builds. President of the School Service Personnel Association, Joe White questions if schools across the state ready for the return.
“I’m not going to say it’s not safe in every county, but I’m getting reports in my office that we have some counties that still have not gotten their cleaning supplies and some that have not received masks yet,” White said.
As the start date gets closer officials are watching the data and have the option to delay the start or start virtually.