ELKINS — For a second consecutive week, local health officials are reporting an increase in active COVID-19 cases in Randolph County.

The Randolph-Elkins Health Department reported Monday that Randolph had 28 active coronavirus cases. That is 12 more than the 16 listed last week.

“We don’t think any of the active cases were people who have been vaccinated,” Bonnie Woodrum, the Randolph-Elkins Health Department’s infectious disease specialist, told The Inter-Mountain Monday. “We don’t know for sure, but we are going to start gathering that information when we get positive reports so we will know.”

It’s possible the new wave of COVID-19 cases in Randolph include the delta variant, but because the state only performs random tests on the positive cases sent to the lab, there is no way to tell for sure.

Almost all of the positive cases reported this week developed symptoms within two days after exposure, which is a sign of the more virulent delta variant, Woodrum said. Several of the cases have also been connected to travel to endemic areas throughout the United States.

Every age group, including younger children, are being affected by the recent surge. Of the 28 active cases in Randolph County, five are under the age of 15, including a one-year-old. There are six cases in the 16 to 25 -year-old age group, and four in 26-35. Seven of the active cases are in the 36-50 age group, and six are over the age of 50.

“Because the delta variant is in our area and is so much more contagious, I would encourage people to wear masks in places where they don’t know if everyone is vaccinated or not,” Woodrum said. “Even the vaccinated people are picking it up and spreading it to others, even though they have no to little symptoms.

“People can catch COVID and die because people are exercising their rights to not be vaccinated. People only have that right, however, if they stay away from everyone else. It’s only going to get worse until everybody starts taking care of everyone else and that’s by getting vaccinated.”

Two people are currently hospitalized in Davis Medical Center with COVID, one of whom is in the Intensive Care Unit. The delta variant has now been found in 29 West Virginia counties, Woodrum said. Active cases of COVID-19 in the state now sits at 2,480, and COVID-19 related hospitalizations are at 178.

The Randolph-Elkins Health Department has all three of the coronavirus vaccines available. To make an appointment to be vaccinated call 304-636-0396.