Following the Coronavirus

Bishop Mark Brennan Clarifies Vaccine and Abortion Connection

WHEELING — The Most Rev. Mark Brennan, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, will be getting the COVID-19 vaccine and urges others to have faith in the science behind it. In a letter sent to all parishes in the state, Brennan said, “I plan to get vaccinated when it’s my turn and I strongly urge all Catholics and other residents of West Virginia to do the same when they have the opportunity. “We must remember that in protecting ourselves through an effective vaccine we are also protecting others. Getting vaccinated, then, is a way of promoting the common good ...

COVID Numbers Still at High-Risk Levels at Holidays

The Northern Panhandle, like most of West Virginia, is decked out in a red it would rather not be wearing at Christmas. All four Northern Panhandle counties were in “red” on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources COVID-19 alert map Thursday morning. They were among 35 ...

COVID Scales Back Christmas Celebrations Across the World

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — A stream of marching bands joyously paraded through Bethlehem on Thursday, but few people were there to greet them as the coronavirus pandemic and a strict lockdown dampened Christmas Eve celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Similar subdued scenes ...

COVID-19 Vaccination Numbers Up, As Are Infections and Deaths

CHARLESTON — West Virginia continues to get COVID-19 vaccines out the door as part of its distribution plan, while the state is seeing more cases and deaths but fewer tests with Christmas around the corner. Gov. Jim Justice, speaking Wednesday during his final COVID-19 briefing before the ...

Marshall County Reports 46th COVID Death

The Marshall County Health Department reported another COVID-related death Wednesday night, the 46th in the county since the pandemic began. Wednesday’s reported death was of an 89-year-old woman who was hospitalized at the time her death. The county also reported seven confirmed new ...