Still no confirmed cases found in West Virginia
Even though there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in the Mountain State, Gov. Jim Justice and the state Department of Health and Human Services started an information hotline number to answer questions from individuals and medical providers about the respiratory virus first reported in China in late December.
The hotline — 800-887-4304 — is provided through a partnership of DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health and the West Virginia Poison Center. Operators will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide accurate and timely information on the virus and the state’s response.
“This hotline is yet another example of proactive measures we’re taking to help our fellow West Virginians stay as safe as possible,” Justice said in a statement released Monday. “With this great tool, we’re going to be able to provide more people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy, while helping minimize the potential for any community spread.”
There are no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in West Virginia. But Dr. Lee Smith of the Monongalia County Health Department told The Dominion Post the virus will eventually make an appearance. As of Monday, five state residents have been tested for the virus. Two tested negative, and three are pending.
Meanwhile, Clay Marsh, dean of West Virginia University Health Sciences, said COVID-19, which originated in Wuhan, China, is thought to have spread to people from an animal source, namely bats. It is now spreading from person to person by droplets from either coughing, or sneezing because there is no known immunity.
WVU has created a website, coronavirus.wvu.edu, to give people the latest information.
WVU Medicine Student Health can be reached at 304-285-7200 and WVU Medicine can be reached at 304-598-6000.
Marsh had other points he wanted to make:
Viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds. Either eating in a U.S. Chinese restaurant, or receiving a package from China cannot infect you.
Your pets cannot give you COVID-19.
Getting the novel coronavirus is not a death sentence. The fatality rate varies from 0.3% to 3.2% of affected patients.
To date, 423 to be exact cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the U.S., while 322 are under investigation. The CDC said 72 of the overall cases are travel related. More than 30 states have reported COVID-19 cases. Neighboring Ohio has not reported any cases, but surrounding states have.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, a fever and cough. Health care providers say if you suspect you might have the virus, stay home and avoid public areas and public transportation. Also, call ahead if you go to see a doctor.
