Covid hospitalizations rise in the two Virginia’s

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - The two Virginia’s are seeing an increase in hospitalizations due to Covid-19.

West Virginia hospitalizations sit at 815 as of right now and are inching towards the all time high of 1,012. In Virginia, the hospitalizations are currently at an all time high with more than 3,600 people with either probable or confirmed Covid cases.

Locally our hospitals are seeing a major effect as well as cases become more apparent. The Mercer County Health Department interim administrator says the county healthcare system is at full capacity. The Princeton Community Hospital has been that way since November and the Omicron variant isn’t the only factor.

The health department tells us that they are still dealing with the Delta variant, but the Omicron surge is on the horizon. “We have been still dealing with Delta and we are kind of, we’ve been lagging behind a little bit with Omicron, but it’s coming, we have Omicron in the county now,” said Health Department interim administrator Bonnie Allen.

Dr. Yoginder Yadav says about three out of four of their Covid patients are unvaccinated, but there is local evidence that vaccines work. “Only about one percent or less are people who are boosted with three shots are being admitted to the hospital.”

On Monday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a 30 day emergency order to increase the Commonwealths hospital capacity. “This isn’t restrictive in any way. Instead, it relaxes some regulations.” Northam also says the order will “ease the pressure” off Virginia Hospitals and their staff.

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