This undated electron microscope image made available by the US National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the US (NIAID-RML via AP)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Active cases of COVID-19 hit their highest level in West Virginia in five months on Thursday.

There were at least 3,221 ongoing cases in the state, the highest since 3,339 on Feb. 24, according to the Department of Health and Human Resources’ COVID-19 dashboard. Active cases statewide had plunged to 263 on April 4 after topping 21,000 in January.

Confirmed daily cases in West Virginia topped 480 on Tuesday and Wednesday after falling below 400 each of the previous four days.

The increase came as President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, underscoring the persistence of the highly contagious virus as new variants challenge the country’s efforts to return to normality after two and a half years of pandemic disruptions.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus in West Virginia has risen steadily since hitting a low of 77 in mid-April. It was at 299 on Thursday. The pandemic record of 1,097 was set on February 2. The National Guard ended its staffing assistance to hospitals on March 11.

There have been 7,121 virus deaths in West Virginia since the pandemic began.