2 local counties have no COVID cases
ELKINS — Active COVID-19 case totals have fallen to zero in two local counties.
On Thursday, the number of virus-related hospitalizations in the state — at 193 — had fallen below 200 patients for the first time since August. That number dropped to 171 on Friday, with 43 of those patients currently in ICU.
More good news is that there are currently only three children in the state hospitalized with the virus, according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Statewide, there are currently 460 active COVID-19 cases, with all 55 counties in the state currently green on the County Alert System map.
Randolph County currently has 11 active cases, according to the DHHR map.
Barbour and Pocahontas counties currently have zero active cases, while Tucker County has three and Upshur County five.
Monongalia County currently has the most in the state with 40 active cases. Kanawha County is close behind with 38.
The DHHR reported an additional 52 COVID-19-related deaths on Friday, running the overall count in the state to 6,739 since the pandemic began.
Those deaths included a 64-year-old man from Randolph County, a 70-year-old man from Upshur County and a 94-year-old man from Barbour County.
Even with COVID-19 numbers dropping across the state, local health officials are still encouraging residents to take precautions in order to be safe. Mask wearing in highly populated areas is still encouraged, as is frequent hand washing.
Area counties are still offering free COVID-19 testing for residents. Randolph County’s testing is now being done at Alternative Screening Unit — a drive-thru — on the campus of Davis Medical Center on Gorman Avenue. The tests are being offered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Barbour County is conducting tests throughout the week at two locations, the Community Market in Philippi from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and the Junior County Fire Department from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
From 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., tests are being offered in Upshur County at the Buckhannon Fire Department.
The Randolph-Elkins Health Department is still offering vaccinations for COVID-19 by appointment only. For more information call 304-636-0396.