WV and National Disaster News - January 5, 2022

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WEST VIRGINIA

Government

WV Daily COVID Update and Stats for January 5, 2022 (WV DHHR) - There have been 11 deaths reported since the last report (1-4-2022), with a total of 5,372 deaths attributed to COVID-19. DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 67-year old male from Monongalia County, a 54-year old female from Tyler County, a 47-year old male from Mason County, an 83-year old male from Doddridge County, a 51-year old male from Kanawha County, an 86-year old male from Cabell County, a 58-year old male from Mason County, a 63-year old male from Nicholas County, a 61-year old male from Hampshire County, a 47-year old female from Doddridge County, and a 54-year old male from Pocahontas County.

 “Today is another difficult day in our fight against COVID-19, and we extend our deepest sympathies to these families,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “Please schedule your COVID-19 vaccine or booster today to prevent further loss of life.”

Local

• Beech Bottom receives $1 Million for flood mitigation (WTRF Wheeling)
• WV National Guard members will undergo recertification training in preparation for COVID spike (WOWK Charleston)
• West Virginia omicron cases more than quadruple (WV News)
• COVID-19 Cases Rising As 1 in 5 State Residents Who Are Tested Register Positive (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)
• Kanawha County seeing high surge in COVID cases (WSAZ)
• Entering 3rd year of pandemic, governor says citizens ‘can’t become numb’ (MetroNews)
• W.Va. Task Force still focused in getting unvaccinated West Virginians their first shot (WCHS-TV)

NATIONAL NEWS

COVID

• As omicron spreads, will colleges go online, require COVID booster shots? What we know (USA Today)
• Biden Under Pressure As U.S. Hits 1 Million Covid Cases In A Day Amid Testing Shortage (NBC News video) Also see:  CNN 
• Psaki pressed on whether at-home COVID tests will be ‘too late’ given Omicron surge (NY Post)
• Chicago teachers union votes to return to remote learning due to COVID-19 surge (Fox News)
• More military medical personnel are assisting hospitals with Covid-19 treatment as staff shortages mount (CNN)
• Thousands of healthcare workers quarantined, hospitals forced to cancel nonurgent surgeries (Becker’s Hospital Review)
• Are flights still being canceled? Yes. More than 1,500 cancellations so far Tuesday. (USA Today)

Other COVID news around the country:  

Newsweek (Rhode Island); KOAT News 7 (New Mexico); Hawaii News Now  (Hawaii); KUT Public Radio (Texas)

WEATHER

• These winter essentials can help if your car gets stuck in the snow (Washington Post)

• For general Winter Weather Preparedness, go to: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather