Monongalia County Health Department talks COVID pandemic five years later

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) -Five years have come and gone sine Covid-19 was first declared a pandemic. Here in the Mountain State, More than 8200 died from the disease between the onset of the pandemic and October of 2023.

“The rapid amount of deaths we were getting comorbid factors played a lot in the deaths, we have and aging population then we started getting younger people passing away with COVID,” said Edward Abbott, Infection Control & Disease Prevention Program Manager Mongolia county health department.

The battle to against the virus was rough, but the state rallied to keep people safe.

“We were rapid to get vaccinations and the word out about how to preserve getting sick and so we were able to get masking done quickly,” said Abbott.

Even though there is more COVID information out today, officials say, the vaccination rate is dropping. While the global emergency the pandemic caused is over. The virus isn’t dead yet.

“The vaccines are still effective especially the young and elderly or any with comorbid factors. immunocompromised. We have had 5 years to develop are vaccines,” said Abott.

If you are interested in booking an appointment to get vaccinated against COVID-19, please contact the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5119.