West Virginia To Again Suspend Elective Medical Procedures As Virus Cases, Hospitalizations Spike

Gov. Jim Justice says he is aiming to suspend elective medical procedures that do not require an overnight stay. That decision comes in response to the increased spread of the coronavirus and record high numbers for hospitalizations related to the pandemic.

In a Monday virtual news briefing, Justice said 597 West Virginians are currently hospitalized due to the coronavirus. Of those cases, 162 are in ICU units and 76 are on ventilators — the latter of which is also a record.

“This is coming at the state of West Virginia in waves from every different direction,” Justice said. “Now, what I'm trying to do with all in me is not shut stuff down. I am trying with all in me to keep people safe and alive.”

As of Monday, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reported 735 total deaths from the coronavirus — 40 of which were reported since the governor’s last briefing, which was held the day before Thanksgiving.

Read more: https://www.wvpublic.org/government/2020-11-30/west-virginia-to-again-suspend-elective-medical-procedures-as-virus-cases-hospitalizations-spike