WV and National Disaster News - December 9, 2021

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WEST VIRGINIA

GOVERNMENT

WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for December 9, 2021 (WV DHHR) - There have been 19 deaths reported since the last report (yesterday 12/8/21), with a total of 5,055 deaths attributed to COVID-19. DHHR has confirmed the deaths of an 82-year old male from Wood County, a 76-year old male from Berkeley County, a 73-year old male from Mingo County, a 72-year old female from Raleigh County, a 71-year old male from Logan County, a 68-year old female from Raleigh County, a 44-year old male from Upshur County, a 62-year old male from Marion County, a 75-year old male from Marshall County, an 87-year old male from Wood County, an 89-year old female from Raleigh County, a 52-year old male from Wood County, a 75-year old female from Taylor County, an 81-year old male from Ohio County, a 66-year old female from Jackson County, a 70-year old female from Wayne County, a 74-year old female from Berkeley County, a 50-year old male from Kanawha County, and a 67-year old male from Preston County.

“We are very sorry to report more deaths in West Virginia as each life lost to this disease is a tragedy, and our hearts go out to their family and friends,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “Protect yourself and your loved ones by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine."

LOCAL

West Virginia COVID cases continue upward trend (The Parkersburg News and Sentinel)

Over 1k new COVID cases reported on Wednesday (WBOY-TV)

Local, West Virginia health leaders see increase in COVID cases (WTAP-TV)

Fifteen COVID-19-related deaths reported in W.Va. Wednesday; hospitalizations rise (WCHS-TV)

Mercer County COVID statistics still rising (The Bluefield Daily Telegraph)

Juvenile COVID-19 Cases on Rise in Ohio County (The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register)

In wake of anonymous suicide letter, students ask for virtual classes and mental health resources  (The Daily Athenaeum)

Union leaders urge WV BOE to give teachers, students mental health break (MetroNews-Radio)

Fayette County Schools enforcing mask mandate for winter sports (WVNS-TV)

WVU releases COVID-19 return to campus plan for spring semester (MetroNews-Radio)

New Substance Abuse Prevention Program Announced For Schools (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)

Game Changers to implement opioid and substance misuse prevention in three Harrison County Schools (WTAP-TV)

Looking at the Cabell County Quick Response Team’s impact on overdose deaths (WSAZ-TV)

Federal Officials Investigate West Virginia Flood Program (US News & World Report)

Federal Investigation Rumors Regarding The RISE WV Clearance And Demolition Program Are Found To Be True (West Virginia Daily News)

National

COVID

COVID cases spike even as US hits 200M vaccine milestone (The Associated Press)

Vaccine makers racing to update COVID shots, just in case (The Associated Press)

Analysis: Omicron is a wake-up call for COVID-19 vaccine developers (Reuters)

Delta drives surge in US cases before omicron gains foothold; 75% of US infections by new variant among vaccinated: Latest COVID-19 updates (USA Today)

Omicron seems to cause milder illness, Fauci says, as study shows evasion of antibodies (The Washington Post)

Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 shot loses power against Omicron variant, but booster restores protection (Stat)

U.S. Judge Blocks Last Remaining Biden Admin COVID-19 Vaccine Rule (US News & World Report)

EU agencies endorse mix-and-match of COVID-19 vaccines (Reuters)

Three Northeast states deploy National Guard amid medical capacity crisis due to pandemic (CNN)

WEATHER

‘I Run Out Every Time It Rains’: Ida Victims Say Aid is Too Little, Too Late The City (NY) 

Waiting on FEMA 100 days and counting  WDSU News 6 (LA)

More than 50 earthquakes hit off the coast of Oregon this week. Scientists say they pose little threat (Business Insider)