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Ohio County reported its 40th COVID-related death since the pandemic began, as infections continue to climb throughout West Virginia.
The four counties in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle remained in "red" Tuesday on the state's COVID-19 alert map, part of a group that, on Tuesday, included almost three-quarters of all of the state's counties.
The latest death in Ohio County, according to the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department, was of a resident of a long-term care facility at the time of their death.
The department also announced 32 new positive cases, bringing the county's total to 2,609. The Marshall County Health Department had not updated its Facebook page with its latest numbers as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Forty of West Virginia's 55 counties, or 72.7 percent, were "red" on Tuesday's Department of Health and Human Resources daily COVID-19 alert map. The number of the state's counties that aren't either "red" — the map's highest-risk category — or orange — the second-highest risk category — is down to just two.
Calhoun County was the state's only "green" county, signifying the map's lowest-risk category. Tucker County was "gold," which is one step below orange. Tucker had a percent positivity of 4.37. A county goes "orange" with a percent positivity of 5 percent or higher.
The DHHR received reports of 1,337 new positive COVID cases from the 24 hours prior to the Tuesday morning map release. Twenty-one deaths also were reported in that span.
Hancock County had the highest percent positivity on Tuesday's map at 19.85, along with an infection rate of 89.75 cases per 100,000 residents. Brooke County had an infection rate of 90.51 cases per 100,000 residents and an infection rate of 17.10.
Ohio County had an infection rate of 53.47 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 10.53. Marshall County had an infection rate of 51.94 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 12.61.
The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department also announced Tuesday night that the county is now vaccinating those in Phase 1B, which includes community infrastructure workers, emergency responders, first responders and public health officials. When more vaccine arrives or additional groups are identified for vaccination the department will provide more notification.
Final clinics are scheduled for Dec. 30 and Jan. 2. First Responders/Emergency Response members in Ohio County who have not yet received an initial vaccination should call the department to get an appointment.
Individuals who are eligible or have been identified for vaccination will receive an email to register for a vaccination at the County Health Department.