WV and National Disaster News - January 31, 2022

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WEST VIRGINIA 

COVID

WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for January 31, 2022 (WV DHHR) - there are currently 15,490 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There have been 20 deaths reported since the last report (1/28/22), with a total of 5,763 deaths attributed to COVID-19. DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 56-year old female from Mercer County, a 76-year old male from Jackson County, a 72-year old male from Ohio County, a 79-year old male from Jefferson County, a 54-year old male from Kanawha County, a 74-year old male from Harrison County, a 42-year old male from Roane County, an 86-year old male from Monongalia County, a 52-year old female from Jefferson County, a 74-year old male from Pleasants County, a 74-year old male from Kanawha County, a 61-year old female from Monongalia County, a 57-year old female from Berkeley County, a 74-year old male from Jefferson County, a 60-year old female from Randolph County, a 79-year old female from Mineral County, a 79-year old male from Marion County, a 48-year old female from Mineral County, a 92-year old male from Raleigh County, and a 67-year old male from Ohio County.

“Protect your loved ones by scheduling a COVID vaccine or booster,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “Both are available at clinics, pharmacies, local health departments and pop-up events statewide.”

• Gov. Justice: “We are flooding our hospitals.” (WDTV)  
• W.Va. DHHR provides weekend COVID-19 update; 3,317 new cases reported (WCHS TV)
• Medical Center expanding COVID-19 care with mobile unit (WV Metro News) 
• Active COVID-19 cases up slightly in Sunday dashboard update from DHHR (WV MetroNews)  
• Harrison County public health official omicron wave not likely to peak for 7-10 more days (The Exponent Telegram)  
• Beckley VA Medical Center expanding COVID-19 care with mobile unit (WV MetroNews)  
• Marion Co., West Virginia, Health Dept. expands COVID-19 vaccination, testing availability (The Exponent Telegram)  
• Vaccine mandates to affect W.Va. health care facilities (WCHS)  

OTHER

• Increased calls to suicide hotline cause concern for WV’s call center (WDVM)  
• OPINION: Repealing certificate of need will reduce access to care and eliminate jobs for West Virginians (The State Journal)  

NATIONAL NEWS 

COVID

• Hospitals across nation under 'unprecedented strain'; COVID deaths pass delta's peak: Updates (USA Today)
• Center for COVID Control (a private company) shuts down headquarters amid FBI investigation but says testing sites may branch off (USA Today) 

WEATHER

• Magnitude 4.1 earthquake rocks inland San Diego County   (KTLA News 5 - CA)
• Winter Storm Kenan: Power Outages Drop, Airport Traffic Rebounds (The Weather Channel)
• Boston buried after nor'easter dumps 23.8 inches of snow (AccuWeather)  
• Fema Announces Extension For Hurricane Housing In Louisiana  (Associated Press)
• Why renters are uniquely vulnerable to climate disasters (Salon) 
• Climate change made rain estimates outdated. Now they put US at risk for more flooding (Yahoo News)

OTHER

• Application Period Opens for FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council  (Homeland Security Today) On-line application must be completed by March 6, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. PST to be considered. Apply at:  https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/apply-to-ypc

• Proposed law would add breastfeeding supplies and support (after a disaster) to list of FEMA-approved expenses  (WFLD News 32 - IL)

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