by Kate Evans
Amid a national spike in COVID cases, local viral infections rose in Morgan County again last week, hitting 216 active cases on Monday. Another four county deaths were attributed to the virus last week.
The highly-infectious respiratory virus also hit vulnerable residents in the local nursing home. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reported a new COVID-19 outbreak at Stonerise HealthCare’s Berkeley Springs Center on their Monday COVID dashboard.
There are 10 reported active cases of COVID-19 in Stonerise Berkeley Springs Center residents and five active COVID-19 cases in staff, with three recovered staff listed.
The Stonerise HealthCare website showed there were 14 positive cases of COVID-19 in its Berkeley Springs Center residents as of Monday morning. The facility has 91 residents at present.
War Memorial Hospital’s Extended Care Facility had one active COVID-19 case in a resident and one recovered COVID-19 case in staff reported on Monday on the Health and Human Resources COVID-19 dashboard.
Active & new cases, deaths
Morgan County’s number of active COVID-19 cases now stands at 216 cases as of Monday, January 10. There were four more county deaths from COVID-19 reported last Friday, which brings the total to 57 Morgan County COVID-19 deaths.
As of Monday, January 10, there were 241 new cases of COVID-19 in Morgan County. There were 185 new cases of COVID as of Friday, January 3.
Cumulative cases, vaccinations
Morgan County has had 2,785 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 489 cumulative probable cases of the virus-a total of 3,274 COVID cases as of Monday, January 10. Some 3,001 county residents have recovered from COVID-19.
Some 31.9% Morgan County residents are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Around 10.5% of residents have gotten their COVID-19 booster shot.
Some 10.53% of children age 5-11 are considered fully vaccinated with the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.
Morgan County transmission of COVID-19 remains at the high level. Masks will be required indoors and on buses the week of January 10, said school officials.
For Morgan County, a low transmission level of new cases is 0-1.99 cases; moderate is 2-9.9 cases; substantial is 10-19.99 cases and high is 20+ cases.
CDC recommendations
Wear a face mask indoors in public places to protect yourself and others when county COVID-19 transmission rates are at high or substantial levels.
Keep six feet away from others, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands frequently, clean and disinfect frequently used items and surfaces, stay home when sick and get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu. Get your COVID-19 booster shot as soon as possible.
