WV and National Disaster News - May 5, 2022

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WEST VIRGINIA

COVID

WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for May 5, 2022 (WV DHHR) - There have been seven deaths reported since the last report, with a total of 6,879 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

There are currently 934 active COVID-19 cases statewide. See detailed stats.

Active COVID cases remain steady in West Virginia (The Parkersburg News and Sentinel)

G.D. Ritzy's owner says former manager with history of fraud stole thousands in (COVID Relief) PPP money  (WCHS Charleston)

OTHER

West Virginia has highest drug use in the US (WBOY Clarksburg)

Fallen Gassaway firefighter John Forbush honored with procession (MetroNews)

Procession held for fallen firefighter killed during rescue attempt (WSAZ Huntington)

'My brother is a hero': Loved ones remember fallen firefighter (WCHS Charleston)

NATIONAL NEWS

COVID

Omicron just as deadly as earlier Covid variants, Harvard scientists claim (Yahoo News)

COVID-19 hospital admissions, deaths forecast to rise in the US for first time in months (ABC News)

COVID-19 death toll reaches 1 million in the US: How did we get here? (Yahoo News)

WEATHER

Biden declares disaster in New Mexico wildfire zone  (NPR)

2nd tornado cluster ravages towns in Oklahoma and Texas (AccuWeather), also see:  ABC News and The Weather Channel. 

Violent tornado damages homes, storm chasing van in North Texas (Fox News)

MORE STORMS TO COME! Severe Thunderstorms, including a Few Tornadoes, to Hit the South Through Friday (The Weather Channel)

Why Climate Change Makes It Harder to Fight Fire with Fire (New York Times) (paywalled)

AccuWeather's 2022 US Wildfire Forecast: Drought to spur another intense season (AccuWeather)

As climate change worsens hurricane season, doulas are ensuring parents can safely feed their babies (The 19^th)

Guest Editorial: Time for a federal agency dedicated to fighting wildfires (Press Democrat Santa Rosa, CA)

The Weather Channel en Español makes its debut - The Weather Channel launched its Spanish speaking counterpart to provide specific local forecasting for people in America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. (WQAD News 8 - IL)