With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continuing to spread across the state and the country, Gov. Justice once again Friday urged all West Virginians to get vaccinated or get their booster shot as soon as possible.
“I’ll never understand the logic of those who made the decision to get the full first round of their vaccination, but then haven’t gotten the booster. If it’s been long enough, you’re basically walking around as if you had never been vaccinated at all,” Gov. Justice said. “What in the world are you waiting on?”
“Getting vaccinated or getting boosted stacks the deck to keep you out of the hospital – I’m living proof,” added Gov. Justice, referencing his recovery after a recent bout with COVID-19. “With how fast this thing is running now, if you don’t get your booster because you just don’t feel like it, you’re making a real mistake.”
The Governor went on to report that there are now 16,742 active cases of COVID-19 and 952 COVID-related hospitalizations statewide. Today’s West Virginia County Alert Map features 54 of the state’s 55 counties in either the Red or Orange categories – denoting the highest level of spread.
“Our map, for all practical purposes, is completely Red and Orange. I can’t recall seeing it any worse than that,” Gov. Justice said. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to look at that map and say, ‘If I’m not boosted, I need to go get my booster shot.’ Because it doesn’t look good.”
Booster shots are now authorized and encouraged for all West Virginians ages 12 and older.
