WELLSBURG — The Brooke County Commission received an update, Tuesday, on efforts to test and vaccinate local residents for COVID-19.

Mike Bolen, administrator of the county’s health department, said the department continues to administer vaccine to residents who are 65 or older, averaging 150 to 250 vaccinations per week, depending on its availability.

Bolen said the department has little advance notice of when and how much vaccine will be available so it continues to work with the state to set appointments for those wanting it.

He said residents seeking vaccination should continue to register through the state health department by calling (833) 734-0965 or visiting vaccinate.wv.gov because the intention is to alleviate the workload of local health departments so they may focus on the actual vaccinations.

Bolen said he had mixed feelings about the state taking over the registrations because it removed “the local component.”

He said a registration list compiled by his department was shared with state personnel but they appeared unprepared for the large number of people on it.

Bolen said in an effort to ensure all Brooke County residents 65 and older get the vaccine if they want it, volunteers and staff with the local health department also have been calling those who registered. He said at-risk factors haven’t been made a priority for vaccinations because so many residents have heart disease, diabetes and other conditions.

Bolen said the local calls will be made from the health department’s number at (304) 737-3665.

He said calls from the state may be unfamiliar or appear as unidentified to residents with caller ID. Residents aren’t discouraged from answering such calls because they’re intended to expedite vaccinations.

But Bolen stressed state personnel calling to set appointments won’t ask for the individual’s Social Security number or financial information.

He said local pharmacies providing vaccinations have been instructed to follow the state’s registration list.

Bolen said to confirm the number of COVID-19 cases is declining, local health departments have been encouraged to offer free testing.

He announced the Brooke County department will conduct free drive-up testing outside the Wellsburg Fire Department’s banquet Hall on 12th Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. No appointment is required.

Bolen expressed thanks to the fire department for the use of its hall for that and the vaccinations. He also thanked volunteers and staff with the county’s ambulance service and emergency management agency who have assisted in setting appointments and with the vaccinations.

The commissioners shared a letter from John Frankovitch, president and chief executive officer of Weirton Medical Center, who acknowledged the hard work and cooperation of the Brooke and Hancock county health departments, C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc., with the help of others, in vaccinating residents.

On Monday the Brooke County Health Department reported 51 active COVID-19 cases, including those deemed probable because they were found positive through the rapid test after displaying typical symptoms. The department has recorded 1,828 recoveries from the disease and 50 deaths.

“With any types of disease, there are waves and we’re coming off a huge wave,” said Bolen, who added he hopes the trend will continue through the precautions of area residents.

Also on Tuesday:

¯ County Clerk Kim Barbetta said her office will no longer process hunting and fishing licenses. She noted the licenses can be obtained online at https://www.wvdnr.gov/ or at many stores selling hunting and fishing gear.

¯ County Commissioner A.J. Thomas continued a weekly observance of Black History Month by reflecting on the life of Booker T. Washington.

He noted that, as a boy, Washington moved to Malden, W.Va., after his family was freed from slavery by the Emancipation Proclamation. He worked as a janitor to cover his tuition at Hampton Normal Agricultural Institute until the headmaster, observing his hard work, offered him a scholarship.

Thomas noted Washington went on to lead Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, a school for black teachers, which grew from two buildings to 100, with about 1,500 students and a nearly $2 million endowment, under his direction.

In addition to heading the school, which later became Tuskegee University, up to his death in 1915, Washington worked to develop other schools and colleges.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)