COVID Case Numbers Continue to Climb

West Virginia shattered a seven-day record for positive coronavirus cases for the second straight week, according to health figures released Monday. The 16,903 confirmed cases from Jan. 3 to Sunday were 50% higher than the record of nearly 11,300 positive cases set the previous week. Those marked the first two weeks during the pandemic that confirmed weekly cases have surpassed 10,000. The figures on the Department of Health and Human Resources’ website don’t include at-home testing. Gov. Jim Justice has implored residents to get vaccinated for the virus, including booster shots. About half of West Virginia’s population is fully vaccinated. Justice last week asked for permission to offer a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines to residents 50 and older as well as to essential workers.