CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Monday resumed his weekly briefings on the coronavirus, six days after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Justice's return coincided with the state surpassing 20,000 confirmed cases of the virus over a one-week period for the first time.
The Republican governor, 70, developed a headache and high fever and was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Jan. 11, forcing him to call off his State of the State speech to the Legislature the next day.
Justice, who is fully vaccinated, received a monoclonal antibody treatment as recommended by his physician.
"At my age and weight and whatever it may be, you know, I've always been healthy as a horse but, you know, to be perfectly honest, this could have been really, really bad," Justice said at the briefing.
People who were in close contact with Justice were notified. His wife, first lady Cathy Justice, and the governor's office staff tested negative.
"Through those first couple of days, it was really nasty stuff," Justice said. "There's no point in acting macho about it, … it was tough. It was really tough stuff."
For the week ending Sunday, West Virginia reported more than 20,200 positive COVID-19 cases, 18% higher than the record of about 17,100 confirmed cases set the previous week. There were 854 people hospitalized for the virus Monday, according to health figures.
Justice has constantly pushed residents to seek vaccines. Soon after they were approved for use a year ago, West Virginia briefly led the nation in getting people the shots. But only about half of the state's 1.8 million residents are fully vaccinated.
Justice opposed the federal government's attempt to force employees at large businesses to get a vaccine or test regularly. He pushed a bill through the Legislature in October to allow certain medical and religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine mandates of companies.
(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
- US Surgeon General urges parents and officials take these steps to protect children from Covid-19
- 'There is no room to put these bodies,' Alabama health official says as Covid-19 deaths climb
- Today’s coronavirus news: Ontario reporting 554 new cases of COVID-19; WHO chief urges halt to booster shots for rest of the year
- How To Protect Children Under 12 From COVID-19, According To Dr. Anthony Fauci
- First, surges in Covid-19 infections led to shortages of hospital beds and staff. Now it's oxygen
- West Virginia's Jim Justice rebukes other governors lifting mask mandates: "For crying out loud"
- Age is the reason 77yo Marilyn wants to get cruising again, despite COVID-19 risks
- With more than 100,000 people in the hospital with Covid-19 in the US, this August is worse than last, expert says
- Louisiana reports its third-highest daily COVID-19 case count since pandemic start
- These 5 states have less than 10% of ICU beds left as Covid-19 overwhelms hospitals
- In Parts Of The U.S., Delta Covid-19 Surge Is Forcing Hospitals To Ration ICU Beds
- In Idaho And Other States, The Delta Covid-19 Surge Is Forcing Hospitals To Ration ICU Beds
- Louisiana reports infant's death from latest COVID-19 spike
- Which activities can you resume after both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Anxiety running high as COVID-19 threatens to disrupt schools — again
- In India’s eradication of smallpox and polio, lessons on how to (and how not to) tackle Covid-19 vaccination
- Are Smartphones An Essential Item Whose Sales in India Be Resumed Amid COVID-19 Lockdown?
- 'Betrayal': Gov't staff decry COVID-19 violations at work as cases rise
- Covid-19: Let's cut Chris Hipkins slack for 'spread their legs' gaffe
- KISS final tour postponed after Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley test positive for COVID-19
Gov. Jim Justice Resumes Briefings, Says COVID-19 Is ‘Tough Stuff’ have 608 words, post on pittsburgh.cbslocal.com at January 18, 2022. This is cached page on Talk Vietnam. If you want remove this page, please contact us.