CHARLESTON — The governor held his first pandemic briefing Wednesday after winning Tuesday’s general election to a second term, delivering a somber message and encouraging residents to continue precautions against the virus.

“This is an absolute killer,” Gov. Jim Justice said.

Justice started the briefing citing the 14 people who died from the virus in West Virginia just in the last few days, three since Tuesday morning, with the youngest being 62. The death toll from the virus in West Virginia was at 472 on Wednesday.

“Another 14 West Virginians gone,” Justice said.

Justice, with Dr. Clay Marsh, who heads the state’s COVID-19 response efforts, reiterated what they have said numerous times before, that the best way to stop the spread of the virus is to, firstly, wear a mask and social distance, wash hands, avoid touching the face and take advantage of the free testing opportunities.

The National Guard is participating in 46 testing sites in 19 counties, Gen. James A. Hoyer said. Eighty-six guardsmen are involved, he said.

The testing rate is 4.6 people per 1,000, Hoyer said. The rate has to be at 7 per 1,000, he said.

Greater levels of testing are needed, Justice said.

“The more we test, the better off we’ll be,” Justice said.

Seventy-nine outbreaks have occurred in schools, 55 in long-term care facilities and there have been outbreaks in churches in 14 counties including churches in Wood, Ritchie, Tyler and Doddridge counties, Justice said.

Justice said he has not let politics get into the decision-making process to counter the virus. The governor said he was asked after the election on Tuesday whether he would change how he handles the pandemic.

“And I said ‘I’m not,'” he said.

The precautions to prevent the spread of the virus must continue, Justice said. Sports and extracurricular activities have to take the back seat to education, he said.

“If we don’t watch out, this can get way worse than it already is,” Justice said.