WV and National Disaster News - January 27, 2022

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WEST VIRGINIA 

COVID

WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for January 27, 2022 (WV DHHR) - There are currently 17,525 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There have been 23 deaths reported since the last report, with a total of 5,697 deaths attributed to COVID-19. DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 77-year old male from Fayette County, a 73-year old female from Jefferson County, a 79-year old male from Clay County, a 61-year old female from Mason County, an 88-year old male from Barbour County, a 65-year old female from Wyoming County, a 64-year old female from Raleigh County, a 60-year old female from Logan County, a 36-year old female from Raleigh County, an 85-year old male from Marion County, an 88-year old male from Preston County, a 71-year old female from Berkeley County, an 88-year old female from Ohio County, an 89-year old male from Cabell County, a 92-year old male from Logan County, a 58-year old male from Braxton County, an 82-year old male from Wood County, an 87-year old female from Taylor County, an 85-year old female from Mercer County, an 82-year old female from Berkeley County, a 64-year old male from Nicholas County, an 88-year old male from Lincoln County, and a 45-year old female from Marion County.

“If you are hesitant of the COVID vaccine, please talk to your physician,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “Those who contract this virus without protection of the vaccine or booster are at an incredibly high risk for hospitalization and loss of life. I urge you to make that phone call today.”

• Rural hospitals struggle to keep up with COVID spike (WCHS Charleston) 

• COVID-19 hospitalizations set record in West Virginia (Weirton Daily Times) 

• Mon Health Systems among facilities receiving National Guard help (WV Metro News) 

Weather

• Wait continues for 2016 flood victims; improper liens placed on RISE WV home sites (WCHS Charleston) 

OTHER

WV given $2.1 million to aid those experiencing homelessness (WBOY Clarksburg) 

Excerpt from article: “The funding will be used for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, a program focused on providing food and housing to West Virginians in need. $1,611,995 was provided through the American Rescue Plan via FEMA while $522,047 was given through annual appropriations.” 

NATIONAL NEWS 

COVID

• U.S. coronavirus hospitalizations slow, with the Northeast showing a steep decline (The Washington Post); Also see New York Times 
• Whistleblower complaint urges expanding COVID-19 vaccinations in ICE facilities (CBS News) - COVID cases in ICE detention centers have surged by more than 800% since the start of the year. 

Weather

• Northeast faces heavy snow and blizzard conditions this weekend, but models are still unclear on how bad it will be  (CNN); Also see: Weather Channel  and AccuWeather 
• President Biden to tour damage done by Marshall Fire Friday BOULDER, Colo. (KKTV)
• Sen. McConnell stops by FEMA site, discusses tornado relief efforts with officials (WBKO - BOWLING GREEN, Ky.)
• Developers and Insurers Await Fallout From National Flood Insurance Program Changes (Commercial Observer) 
• FEMA to Start Tracking Race of Disaster-Aid Applicants (Scientific American) 

AMERICORPS HELPS COMMUNITIES IN NEED

New Report Illuminates How Local Governments are Leveraging AmeriCorps, Service Year Programs as Key Strategy to Tackle Emerging Needs (Yahoo News)

“At this challenging time in our nation’s history, AmeriCorps is a resource to help state and local leaders meet the most pressing needs in their communities,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “AmeriCorps is eager to partner with elected officials at every level to support education, promote public health, tackle climate change, strengthen workforce pathways, and meet other challenges. We hope this report will encourage more state and local leaders to use national service to solve urgent problems by bringing people together to serve in their communities.”   -----  Also see the ASC Policy Toolkit 

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