UPDATE: The Preston County Health Department said Wednesday that the county resident who tested positive for coronavirus did not contract the virus in Preston County. The department announced Tuesday that the first diagnosed case of a Preston County resident with the COVID-19 virus had been confirmed. The person, who has not been identified, is under isolation and treatment at home and is doing well, according to the health department. Those who had close contact with the individual have been identified and notified, the department said.
KINGWOOD — Preston County has its first diagnosed case of COVID-19 Coronavirus, the Preston County Health Department announced Tuesday morning.
“This news is not unexpected. As testing expands, this will happen,” the department said in a news release. “People shouldn’t panic. Instead, they should take common sense measures that will keep them and their community safe.”
Preston Memorial Hospital has established a COVID-19 Coronavirus testing site in the parking lot of Kingwood Elementary. Do not come directly to the testing site. If you believe you need tested, please call Preston Memorial Hospital at 304-329-7285.
When you call, you will be pre-screened over the phone.
You must meet the current testing criteria. (Symptoms and Exposure History)
If you meet the testing criteria, you will be given instructions as to how to proceed to the testing site.
You can also call your doctor or local clinic to obtain information on testing and how to go about being tested.
You can also call DHHR’s COVID-19 information hotline 24/7, toll-free at 1-800-887-4304 or contact Preston County Health Department at (304) 329-0096 or visit our Website at www.prestoncountyhealthdepartment.com
(Links to CDC and State of West Virginia information can be found there as well.)
Commonsense measures to take to protect against the virus include:
— Stay home, only go out for essential items or trips.
— Practice social distancing stay 6 feet away from others.
— Continue illness prevention practices
— Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
— Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
— Avoiding exposure to others who are sick.
–Staying home when you are ill.
