If you’re going by the numbers, navigating today’s COVID-19 landscape can be a bit tricky, as changes in reporting mean there is no longer a clear picture of hospitalization numbers, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, positive test results … anything, really.

For example, what we know about a reported outbreak at Roane General Hospital’s long-term care facility is a little different from the image the word “outbreak” can conjure. CEO Doug Bentz says the label “outbreak” comes from the facility not having gone two weeks without a positive test among residents or staff, which would lift the designation. According to state data, the facility has one active case among staff and none among residents.

Meanwhile, Bentz points out the numbers reported are not an accurate reflection of the number of actual infections.

“The majority of the positives aren’t even being reported, just because of the number of home tests that are being done,” he said.

While the start of school has probably led to some increase in the number of cases, Bentz said the hospital has not been overwhelmed with COVID admissions.

“It’s all been outpatient,” he said. Good.

But even if the picture is a little muddy, one thing is clear: People are still dying from COVID-19 — seven more West Virginians died of the virus over the Labor Day weekend.

“With a heavy heart, we share this solemn news of more lives lost to this pandemic,” state Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill J. Crouch said. “We extend our sympathies to the families affected and encourage vaccination and receiving updated boosters.”

Make that two things clear, then. As updated omicron variant boosters have made their way to the state, we still know getting fully vaccinated and boosted is the best way to mitigate the severity of the virus and help stem the spread. While the numbers might be a bit confusing, there is nothing confusing about the need to use every tool at our disposal to help stop this monster.