Allegany County Public Schools, Bishop Walsh, and Garrett County Public Schools are all doing fully virtual learning this week
Hardy County is in the orange which means automatic remote learning for the county schools through Nov 20th with no school Nov 23-27 and remote learning Nov 30th-Dec 4th.
Hampshire County Schools will return to in-person instruction tomorrow, Monday, November 16, 2020. Slanesville Elementary will continue remote learning for Monday, November 16, 2020. An update will be provided on Slanesville on Monday evening. In accordance with the Governor’s mandate, face coverings are required for students grades 3 and above on buses and indoors at all times.
The Allegany County Health Department reports 317 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths in Allegany County since Monday, bringing the county’s total cumulative case count to 1,470 and the death toll from the disease to 30. Due to the extremely high number of new cases, an age breakdown was not immediately available. However, the health department will continue to provide those details in the future whenever possible.
On Wednesday, the Allegany County Health Department and Maryland Department of Health partnered to offer ongoing COVID-19 testing at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. The hours for this free drive-thru testing are 2 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. A total of 417 tests were conducted at the fairgrounds on Wednesday and an additional 580 people were tested on Friday. It is important to note that the fairgrounds testing is not limited to Allegany County residents, so not everyone testing positive will be counted for Allegany County.
Health officials continue to urge the public to avoid gatherings big or small given the spike in COVID-19 cases in our area. Groups of people don’t have to be large to pose a risk for exposure to COVID-19. It is also important to wear a mask when around other people and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet at all times. Frequently wash and disinfect hands and frequently touched surfaces, and stay home if you are not feeling well.
From ACPS: COVID-19 WEEKLY UPDATE: For the week of November 7-13, 2020, ACPS reports sixteen (16) individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 who were within an Allegany County Public School. These individuals will complete the required isolation period. Contact tracing in six (6) of these cases indicated no close contacts and no need to quarantine staff or students. In the remaining ten (10) cases, close contacts were identified, and those individuals will complete a 14-day quarantine period. Notification was sent out via the ACPS Blackboard notification system if there was a positive case in a building.
From GCHD: The Garrett County Health Department received 32 additional positive COVID-19 results since the last report on Wednesday, November 11th, bringing the current county total positives to 267.
The new positive COVID-19 cases include:
• 1 male and 2 females age 0-9
• 2 males and 3 females in their 20s
• 2 males and 2 females in their 30s
• 2 males and 3 females in their 40s
• 2 males and 2 females in their 50s
• 1 male and 3 females in their 60s
• 1 male and 2 females in their 70s
• 2 males and 1 female in their 80s
• 1 male in his 90s
Visit garretthealth.org for the most up-to-date COVID-19 information.
In Mineral County there are 589 total positive cases, 261 are active, 2 are probable, 324 recovered with 4 deaths. The Mineral County Health Department has received confirmation of one employee and one resident testing positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)at the Burlington United Methodist Family Services located in Burlington, WV. This has been classified as an official outbreak (#832) by the West Virginia DHHR Bureau for Public Health’s Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology. The Mineral County Health Department has received confirmation of two employees testing positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the Hoover’s Bar & Grill located in Keyser, WV. The Health Department is working to identify any potential persons who may have had close contact with the individuals, including family members, friends, and additional staff. Additionally, the facility has been closed for environmental cleaning and will reopen following a reinspection by the Health Department. The time frame in question is as follows: Friday, October30ththru Friday, November 13th
The Mineral County Health Department has received confirmation of an additional 18residents testing positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)at the Piney Valley nursing home(Outbreak #664)located in Keyser, WV. This brings the total to 27residents and10 employees since the start of the outbreak. The facility has been working with the health department and the West Virginia DHHR Bureau for Public Health’s Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology to ensure protocols and procedures are being followed
The Mineral County Health Department has received confirmation of an employee testing positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the Sammie’s located in Piedmont, WV. The Health Department is working to identify any potential persons who may have had close contact with the individuals, including family members, friends, and additional staff. Additionally, the facility closed for environmental cleaning. The time frame in question is as follows: Saturday, November 7ththru Monday, November 9thIf you visited the establishment during the dates listed above, you may have come in contact with a positive case. The purpose of this alert is preventative as well as informative. If you develop symptoms, have concerns, or feel you need to be tested, you may contact the Mineral County Health Department at (304) 788-1321or your local provider. Additionally, free COVID-19 community testing is available this week at the Mineral County Vo Tech and the Fort Ashby Fairgrounds.
The Mineral County Health Department has received confirmation of two employees and one resident testing positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)at the Sycamore Run located in Fort Ashby, WV. This has been classified as an official outbreak (#835) by the West Virginia DHHR Bureau for Public Health’s Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology. The Health Department is working to identify any potential persons who may have had close contact with the individuals, including family members, friends, residents and health care professionals. As a reminder, wearing masks, social distancing and frequent hand washing/sanitizing of hands are the best ways to keep numbers low. Wearing a mask protects those around you. Social distancing limits the chances of COVID-19droplets from spreading from one individual to another. Hand washing and sanitizing as well as not touching the mouth, eyes, or nose help eliminate or reduce self-contamination
Specific code reference or guidance on the Governor’s new Executive Order for mask enforcement, the following was provided by DHHR legal counsel this morning, (Nov. 14, 2020) working with the Gov Office. “Obstructing an officer conducting an investigation is a misdemeanor and is found in W. Va. Code 61-5-17. Fines and jail time are possible upon conviction.”
Grant County is in the Yellow Metric today which means there is increased Community Transmission. Grant County does have multiple cases and contacts.
There were Nine (9) new cases today. Five (5) new cases yesterday. There are Thirty-seven (37) active cases currently. There are also many contacts to these positive cases that are quarantined and are being monitored.
Everyone must do their part to prevent the continued spread of this virus. Social Distance by always maintaining 6 feet distance from everyone not in your household, avoid crowds, WEAR that mask, and practice good hand hygiene.
248 Total COVID Cases
• 213 Confirmed Positive COVID cases
• 35 Probable COVID cases (Probable cases are those that have a positive test from a rapid antigen test).
• 198 Total Recovered
• 37 Active Cases. Two are hospitalized.
• 13 Deaths, of these: 9 Deaths listed as COVID related (6 from GRCC).
Call Grant Memorial Hospital (304) 257 1026 and press 5 to speak to an ER nurse or Grove Street Health Center at 304-257-2451 to help determine if testing is indicated and instructions how to proceed if you develop symptoms, (loss of taste or smell, fever, cough, muscle aches, cough, shortness of breath, headache or diarrhea). Remain isolated from others until you receive your test result and are cleared to discontinue isolation.
The Hardy County Health Department and Hardy County Office of Emergency Management has five additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hardy County, making 39 active cases, with a total confirmed case count of 154. We have had one confirmed COVID-19 death. We currently have 36 patients in quarantine at home, following proper protocol to protect their neighbors and community. Three patients are currently hospitalized due to severe symptoms of COVID-19. Due to privacy, additional information regarding the persons, area of residence, and travel history will not be disclosed. The Hardy County Health Department has completed the necessary contact tracing to ensure the safety of close contacts and to prevent additional transmission. Hardy County now has 114 individuals recovered, included in the total confirmed case count of 154.
Free COVID-19 testing in Hardy County this week. Please bring an ID and a parent or guardian for any children on site. This testing is available to anyone.
November 17th, 19th, and 20th.
8am – 12pm Hardy County Ambulance Authority 17940 SR 55 Baker, WV
1pm – 4pm National Guard Armory 167 Freedom Way Moorefield, WV
On Thursday the 19th, the Armory testing site will stay open until 5pm
for those that need a later schedule. For a complete state testing schedule, see
The Hampshire County Health Department has confirmed 5 additional cases this weekend. Case investigation and contact tracing are ongoing. Hampshire County’s current case count is 196 confirmed, 17 probable, 36 active, 1 death and 2 hospitalizations.
Bedford County Total Cases: 931 Confirmed: 722 Probable: 209 Negative: 6,103 Cases per 100,000: 1,932.5 Deaths: 11 Deaths per 100,000: 22.8
Somerset County Total Cases: 899 Confirmed: 663 Probable: 236 Negative: 13,827 Cases per 100,000: 1,215.7 Deaths: 5 Deaths per 100,000: 6.8
From WV Governor: Gov. Jim Justice joined West Virginia health leaders and other officials today for his latest daily press briefing regarding the State’s COVID-19 response.
STATEWIDE INDOOR FACE COVERING REQUIREMENT UPDATED
With COVID-19 case numbers continuing to set record highs in West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice announced Friday that he has issued an executive order, amending and broadening his Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement.
“In West Virginia, today, we have 339 people hospitalized. That’s an all-time record. We have 104 patients in our ICUs. That’s another record. We’re up to 565 deaths,” Gov. Justice said. “We have got to realize what we’re dealing with here, it is a massive massive killer. We have knocked it out of the park with our numbers so far in comparison to others. But, West Virginia, we’ve got to tighten up.”
The new order requires all West Virginians age 9 and older to wear a face covering at all times inside all indoor public places. This differs from the Governor’s initial indoor face covering requirement, which allowed masks to be removed in such places if adequate social distancing could be maintained. Under the new order, that exception no longer exists.
The requirement does not apply to anyone who has trouble breathing or anyone who is otherwise unable to remove their own face covering without assistance. It also does not apply to anyone inside a restaurant and actively consuming food or beverages, anyone is inside a closed room by themselves, or inside one’s residence.
Additionally, the new order requires that all businesses and organizations that invite the public into their facilities must post adequate signage advising guests of the requirement and are also responsible for enforcing the requirement to ensure it is being followed.
“I am calling for all business owners and managers in West Virginia to step up to make sure that everyone in these businesses is wearing a face covering all the time inside these buildings,” Gov. Justice said. “Let’s go one step further and say, to our business owners, what follows this is the shutting down of businesses. From the standpoint of where we are right now, if you don’t step up, business owners, and make it mandatory to wear face coverings when people are entering your businesses, we are going to end up having to take further steps because we will not be able to slow this thing down and stop it.”
For children ages 2 years old through 8 years old, face coverings are not required. However, it is recommended that parents or guardians use their best judgment as to when to assist their children, ages 2 through 8, with wearing a face covering.
Under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, and anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance should not wear face coverings and are exempt from the face covering requirement.
Face shields are an acceptable substitute for those with physical conditions that may cause them to be unable to properly wear a face covering.
The updated indoor face covering requirement will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Guidance documents that are a part of the Governor’s reopening plan – West Virginia Strong – The Comeback – will be revised to reflect the new requirement.
The original Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement was established by executive order on July 7.
View the latest COVID-19 data at Coronavirus.wv.gov.
WINTER INTERSCHOLASTIC AND TRAVEL SPORTS SEASONS DELAYED
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice announced that he has issued an executive order, postponing the start date for all youth winter sports teams and leagues.
The order prohibits all youth winter sports teams and leagues, whether school-sanctioned or otherwise, including but not limited to basketball, swimming, wrestling, and cheerleading, from bringing players and/or spectators together into a common area within West Virginia for practices, games, or any other type of competition until no sooner than Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.
Any winter sports teams that have begun to practice must cease immediately.
All fall sports that were previously underway will be permitted to conclude their seasons, provided that teams are eligible to compete in accordance with their county’s color code in the WVDE’s School Alert System map and the DHHR’s County Alert System map (Click “County Alert System” tab).
“We have been fortunate, in West Virginia, to be able to play sports in the fall. Virginia and Maryland have not had any fall sports,” Gov. Justice said. “But winter sports are indoor sports, and I don’t know how on this planet we can possibly think about playing indoors right now. It’s just going to make things worse.
“We are very hopeful that we’ll be able to start back up on January 11th,” Gov. Justice continued. “This will give us the opportunity to settle this thing down.”
The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission will soon issue a new interscholastic winter sports schedule, which will be made available on the WVSSAC website.
The Governor added that when youth travel sports leagues and other non-school-affiliated sports programs resume, teams will be required to follow the county alert system maps in the same manner as interscholastic teams.
THANKSGIVING BREAK EXTENDED FOR ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Additionally Friday, Gov. Justice issued an executive order, extending Thanksgiving break for all public and private schools in West Virginia by an additional three days.
“We all know that families are going to come together over Thanksgiving, and as families come together, we all know the probability of more of a spread is right at our fingertips again,” Gov. Justice said. “So, from Thursday of Thanksgiving, until the next Thursday, no one will go to school.”
Public and private schools in all 55 counties may resume in-person instruction on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
“That will give us at least a seven-day period that the medical experts tell us will be a big help in making sure any potential spread from Thanksgiving is contained before it becomes a problem,” Gov. Justice said.
BAND FESTIVALS CANCELED
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice announced that, at the request of the West Virginia Bandmasters, who oversee all the public school bands across the state, all band festivals scheduled for this coming spring have been canceled.
The Governor also announced the cancellation of all concert band festivals for the rest of this year.
“The Bandmasters made this recommendation to the state Board of Education and to me and we all agreed that it’s the right thing to do,” Gov. Justice said.
NURSING HOME AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY EMPLOYEES TO BE TESTED TWICE WEEKLY
Additionally Friday, Gov. Justice issued an executive order, requiring that all doctors, nurses, staff, and employees working at nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the state be tested for COVID-19 twice a week.
“We must do all we can to protect our most vulnerable citizens, especially the residents of our nursing homes and assisted living facilities,” Gov. Justice said. “Every time they’ve needed help, we’ve run to the fire. But we want to do even more to be proactive.”
Under the leadership of Gov. Justice, West Virginia was the first state in the nation to order the full testing of all residents and staff at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Later, the CDC sent a letter to all 50 states, calling on them to follow West Virginia’s lead by focusing their COVID-19 testing efforts on nursing homes and other vulnerable communities.
The new twice weekly staff testing requirement will remain in place until rescinded or adjusted by further executive order.
COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS UPDATE
On Friday, Gov. Justice reported that the current number of active cases in the state has also reached a new record high of 8,531, including 4,611 new positive cases in the just the past seven days and 742 in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the cumulative percent of positive cases is now 3.14%, up from 3.11% on Wednesday and the highest such rate seen in West Virginia since April 24, 2020.
As of Friday afternoon, the statewide rate of COVID-19 transmission – also known as Rt – was 1.12; tied for the 19th-best such rate of any state in the country. Only one state across America currently has a Rt values under the 1.00 threshold indicating whether the disease is spreading or contracting.
However, West Virginia continues to outperform the national average – as well as the rates of all of its bordering states – in lowest percentage of population positive, and lowest percentage of positive test results.
FRIDAY MAP UPDATE
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice provided a look at West Virginia’s latest mid-week County Alert System map update.
Red counties: 0
Orange counties: 13 (Barbour, Fayette, Hardy, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, Mineral, Mingo, Randolph, Tyler, Wood, Wyoming)
Gold counties: 12 (Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Hancock, Jackson, Kanawha, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Upshur, Wayne)
Yellow counties: 14 (Brooke, Clay, Hampshire, Harrison, Lewis, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Pleasants, Preston, Raleigh, Ritchie, Wetzel)
Green counties: 16 (Braxton, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Marion, Monongalia, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Webster, Wirt)
The map is updated live on the DHHR’s COVID-19 Dashboard (Click “County Alert System” tab) throughout the week for informational purposes and to provide an indication of how each county is trending ahead of each Saturday at 5 p.m.; the time when each county is assigned its official color designation for the next week, which determines the level of scholastic, athletic, and extracurricular activities permitted in each county for that particular week.
DHHR’s COVID-19 Dashboard (Click “County Alert System” tab)
OUTBREAK REPORT
Additionally Friday, Gov. Justice reported that, per the West Virginia Department of Education, there are 21 active outbreaks in public schools across the state. These outbreaks account for 118 confirmed cases.
West Virginia now has 19 active church-related outbreaks across 13 counties: Cabell, Fayette, Hardy, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Ritchie, Tyler, Wood, and Wyoming counties.
There are now 78 outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state, up from 72 on Wednesday.
The Governor also announced that the full testing of Stevens Correctional Center in McDowell County has resulted in the identification of 40 active inmate cases and 22 active staff cases to date after a recent outbreak was discovered at the facility. The West Virginia National Guard remains on standby to sanitize once the outbreak has been isolated and the scope of the infection is known.
Outside of the outbreak at Stevens Correctional Center, there are now five active inmate cases and 29 active staff cases across the entire DCR system.
AGGRESSIVE TESTING CONTINUES ACROSS STATE
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice provided an overview of the 46 counties that have upcoming free testing events scheduled for the near future through the Governor’s Aggressive Testing initiative.
This testing is available to all residents, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Attendees should bring identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, to help in returning test results. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Each county reaching Red or Orange status in the DHHR’s County Alert System map (Click “County Alert System” tab) is required to set up at least one free testing site within the same day. Each county reaching Gold status is required to set up at least one free testing site within 48 hours.
Gov. Justice also offered a reminder that, as part of his administration’s efforts to expand free COVID-19 testing throughout West Virginia, the State is now partnering with Walgreens and West Virginia-based company Fruth Pharmacy to offer dozens of new free testing sites at several of their pharmacy drive-thrus.
Walgreens is now offering free testing at 54 locations statewide, including several new testing sites. Locations include stores in Berkeley, Boone, Brooke, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, McDowell, Mercer, Monongalia, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Summers, Taylor, Upshur, Wayne, Wetzel, Wood, and Wyoming counties.
Fruth Pharmacy is also offering free testing at 12 of their locations statewide, including stores in Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Roane, and Wood counties.
Pre-registration is required for pharmacy drive-thru testing.
CIIES/COUNTIES GRANT FUNDING: OVER $179 MILLION HAS NOW BEEN AWARDED
Also today, Gov. Justice provided an update on cities and counties throughout West Virginia applying for funds through the federal CARES Act, reporting that more than $179 million has now been awarded all across the state.
A web portal is available for city and county government officials to apply. Interested parties can also call the helpline: 1-833-94-GRANT.
Each of the recipients of CARES Act funding, along with grant amounts, are now available to view through the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office COVID-19 transparency website.
FLU VACCINE REMINDER
Once again today, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks on COVID-19 to remind and encourage all West Virginians to get their flu vaccine.
According to health officials, everyone 6 months and older should receive this vaccine.
Locate a flu vaccine near you through the DHHR website.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information about COVID-19 prevention and more, call the State’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or visit Coronavirus.wv.gov.
According to the official data from the Maryland Department of Health and the CDC, our statewide positivity rate has increased to 6.57% and our case rate has increased to 26.4 per 100K. There are 938 total COVID-19 hospitalizations, and ICU bed usage has risen by 20 over the past 24 hours.
The individual actions of each and every Marylander will determine whether we are able to withstand this fall surge and keep Maryland open for business. Wash your hands, avoid crowds, practice physical distancing, and wear the damn masks.
See the data on COVID-19 in Maryland: coronavirus.maryland.gov
Plan your COVID-19 test: covidtest.maryland.gov
A new local grant program, the Garrett County Restaurant Relief Fund, will assist restaurants with expenses associated with adjusting their operations and procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund supports one-time, short-term financial support to foodservice operations impacted by COVID-19. Grants up to $10,000 will be awarded to eligible restaurants, caterers, mobile food service providers, and brewery or distillery businesses. Specific program eligibility requirements apply. “In the midst of the pandemic, we have been working diligently to serve our small business community,” said Kim Durst, Garrett County Manager of Business Development. “We anticipate these grant funds to be instrumental in helping local foodservice operations. Grant funds are limited, so we encourage eligible businesses to apply as soon as possible.” Applicants must have owned, rented, or leased a permanent or mobile commercial food and/or beverage service location in Garrett County as of March 1, 2020 in good standing. The business must also demonstrate operational expenses or purchases incurred due to COVID-19 in the periods from March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020. Examples of such expenses are rent/mortgage, utilities, marketing, employee training, commercial cleaning and sanitation services, and infrastructure improvements. The application for grant funding is available online at the Department of Economic Development’s website http://www.gcedonline.com/covid-19/restaurant-relief-grant and applications will be accepted beginning Monday, November 16, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 and no grant applications will be accepted after that date. Funds must be disbursed to businesses by December 31, 2020.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Garrett Regional Medical Center and Potomac Valley Hospital Mark Boucot talks about the surge in COVID-19 cases around the region and the impact on the hospital system along with ways we can all help slow the spread. To hear the interview click here https://soundcloud.com/amanda-mangan/president-and-ceo-of-garrett-regional-medical-center-and-potomac-valley-hospital-mark-boucot-for-pht