CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice and members of the West Virginia COVID-19 pandemic response management workforce held one other information briefing immediately to replace the general public on the state’s newest pandemic response and vaccine distribution efforts.

NATIONAL COVID-19 CASES SIX TIMES HIGHER THAN ONE YEAR AGO
Throughout Tuesday’s briefing, Gov. Justice reported that, in response to Johns Hopkins, the seven-day common for COVID-19 circumstances within the U.S. are greater than six instances what they had been a 12 months in the past. 

The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Useful resource Heart confirmed a seven-day common of 119,725 circumstances as of Saturday. That determine held at 17,887 circumstances on Could 28 of final 12 months. 

“We’re seeing a variant that’s extra contagious, which means that you just’re absolutely extra apt to get it,” Gov. Justice mentioned. “However completely it is best to actually think about the truth that in the event you’re not vaccinated, the way in which this factor’s working throughout the land, there is a good likelihood you are going to get it in a foul method. I remind you again and again about your booster shot too, it is obtainable to you and completely try to be getting your booster pictures.”

Regardless of the rising an infection price, COVID-related deaths had been down from final 12 months, an indication of elevated immunity by vaccines and prior infections, together with wider availability of therapies.

“We’re near 100,000 common circumstances a day in the US and actually good authorities assume that we’re selecting up in all probability as few as 5 to 10% of all constructive circumstances which can be circulating,” Coronavirus Czar Dr. Clay Marsh mentioned. “Bear in mind at this level in 2021, we had been form of feeling good that maybe we had been going to get lengthy respite from COVID and that is when the Delta variants occurred for us and and precipitated many, many issues. And so it is vital for us to be extremely vigilant about defending ourselves and ensuring we’re absolutely vaccinated.”

GOV. JUSTICE ADDRESSES RECENT ILLNESS
Additionally Tuesday, Gov. Justice addressed his latest sickness that precipitated him to postpone his COVID-19 briefing to immediately.

“, I need to cease only a second and say that I am actually overseas to feeling dangerous,” Gov. Justice mentioned. “I am unable to recall, for all sensible functions ever lacking a day’s work by being sick. However man, I am unable to think about the magnitude of a small little tick that might get on you that might trigger lots of points. I’d warning everybody take take ticks actually severe and provide yourself with protection and verify your self for tics.

“I actually need to thank all of the folks for the effectively needs, I’m tickled to loss of life to be again right here with you.”

CASE NUMBERS & VACCINE/BOOSTER INFO
On Tuesday Gov. Justice reported that there at the moment are simply 2,184 energetic circumstances of COVID-19 statewide. Nevertheless, 1,972 new circumstances had been acquired over the Memorial Day Weekend.

COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov

Nonetheless, after studying the ages and areas of one other 36 people who’ve handed away from COVID-19 since Thursday, Could 19, Gov. Justice continued to induce West Virginians to verify they’re up-to-date on their vaccinations and boosters.

Major collection vaccinations and a primary booster dose at the moment are inspired for all West Virginians ages 5 and older.

A second booster dose is inspired for all West Virginians ages 50 and older who’re at the very least 4 months faraway from their first booster dose, in addition to sure immunocompromised people. All West Virginians who qualify can get a second booster dose in all places vaccines can be found.

The state’s free COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator – the one software of its type within the nation – has been up to date to find out whether or not persons are eligible for a second booster dose.

GOV. JUSTICE ASKS ALL WEST VIRGINIANS TO PRAY FOR VICTIMS OF TEXAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING
Gov. Justice took day trip of his remarks on COVID-19 to precise his condolences after the tragic taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, TX, final week that left 21 folks useless, together with 19 younger college students.

“I pray for these stunning, stunning youngsters and their households. I am unable to fathom it. I simply cannot fathom it. It simply kills me to my soul in each method,” Gov. Justice mentioned. “We actually acquired to step again and actually really consider that we are able to do a complete all in some kind of strategy to make issues higher. And if we do not, issues are going to proceed to be robust.”

GOV. JUSTICE ANNOUNCES TWO NEW GAMECHANGER SCHOOLS
Gov. Justice additionally took time to recap his visits to Wheeling Park Excessive Faculty and Clay-Battelle Center/Excessive Faculty on Monday final week. The Governor introduced these two colleges as the most recent additions to the student-powered WV GameChanger Opioid and Substance Misuse Prevention Training Program.

The cutting-edge, evidence-based program is the primary of its type within the nation and is the results of a collaborative settlement between GameChanger and the world-renowned Hazelden-Betty Ford Basis.

WV GameChanger’s Opioid and Substance Misuse Prevention Training Program will grow to be a part of the curriculum at each Wheeling Park Excessive Faculty and Clay-Battelle Center/Excessive Faculty this fall.

The aim of this system – which is now in seven colleges throughout the state – is to empower younger West Virginians to reside wholesome, drug-free life and put together them to be our leaders of tomorrow.

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WEST VIRGINIA RECEIVES OVER $72.1 MILLION TO EXPAND WV CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM
Gov. Justice just lately introduced that West Virginia will obtain as much as $72.1 million from the U.S. Division of the Treasury beneath a brand new spherical of the State Small Enterprise Credit score Initiative (SSBCI) to extend entry to capital and promote entrepreneurship, particularly in historically underserved communities as they emerge from the pandemic. 

The American Rescue Plan reauthorized and expanded SSBCI, which was initially established in 2010. The West Virginia Capital Entry Program (WVCAP), which manages SSBCI funding beneath the West Virginia Jobs Funding Belief (WVJIT), has an distinctive monitor report in rising entry to capital for historically underserved small companies and entrepreneurs throughout West Virginia. 

This extra SSBCI funding is anticipated to catalyze as much as $10 of personal funding for each $1 of SSBCI capital funding, amplifying the consequences of this funding and offering small enterprise house owners with the sources they should sustainably develop and thrive. 

The WV Jobs Funding Belief submitted a plan to the Treasury for the way they are going to use the {dollars} to supply funding to small companies by enterprise capital applications, collateral help applications, and subordinated debt applications. West Virginia is one in every of solely 5 states thus far to see its plan to obtain Treasury approval.

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GOV. JUSTICE CONGRATULATES ANGLERS ON STATE-RECORD CATCHES
Gov. Justice additionally took time to congratulate a pair of anglers for just lately catching new state-record fish in West Virginia.

Ayden Minick of Mt. Nice, PA, just lately caught and launched a brand new West Virginia state-record frequent carp whereas fishing from the financial institution of Summersville Lake in Nicholas County.

Minick’s report fish was 41.2 inches lengthy and weighed 45.2 kilos. The trophy carp surpassed the earlier West Virginia size report of 41.0 inches, caught in 1988 by Charles Cook dinner at Stonecoal Lake. Nevertheless, Minick’s fish didn’t beat the present weight report of 47.0 kilos, caught in a Preston County farm pond by Gary Johnson in 1998.

Steve Worth of Lancaster, OH, just lately caught and launched a blue catfish that broke the state report for each weight and size whereas fishing from a ship on the decrease part of the Kanawha River between Buffalo and Level Nice.

Worth’s report fish was 50.7 inches lengthy and weighed 67.22 kilos. The trophy catfish eclipsed the burden report of 61.28 kilos held by Cody Carver for less than seven weeks and in addition broke the size report of fifty.15 inches held by Justin Goode since 2021.