MORGANTOWN – Gov. Jim Justice opened his Friday coronavirus press briefing on a bright note before turning his ire on mistaken reports of virus-related deaths.
“The sun is shining and it’s pretty outside,” he said. Consider stepping outside to get some air.
Then he turned to the misreported deaths. “This just makes me flat mad,” he said.
He received two separate and incorrect reports of death in the past two days, he said. One of those came from the Sundale nursing home in Morgantown. That one led to a press release from the Department of Health and Human resources that had to be retracted and press release form Sen. Joe Manchin expressing sympathy.
DHHR’s retraction came in the form of a copy of an apology letter from Sundale for the mistake.
Justice said, “I’m trying every way within me … to protect every life.”
He said he’ll be imposing additional safeguards to avoid false reports.
He didn’t specify what those will be, but DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch later said that DHHR will require a second verification from the hospital where the patient is sent.
Secretary of State Mac Warner emphasized his previous announcement that the May 12 primary is proceeding and every voter will receive an absentee ballot request in the mail – an effort to protect voters and poll workers by maintaining social distancing. The voter can check the appropriate box and return the form in order to receive a ballot.
Further voting information can be found at govotewv.com and sos.wv.gov.
Warner said they are still asking for volunteers to work the polls because a large number of poll workers are vulnerable seniors. County clerks may also need auxiliary workers to handle the influx of absentee ballots, but that will be up to the clerks.
At a previous press briefing, The Dominion Post asked about any plans to release prison or jail inmates to relieve crowding and minimize exposure.
Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jeff Sandy said Friday that as of 7 a.m. That day, no inmate or officers had reported positive for COVID-19. DMAPS had released 70 nonviolent inmates who were nearing the end of their sentences.
As of Friday afternoon, DHHR reported 76 positive cases, 1,779 negatives and 43 tests pending. COVID-19 Czar Clay Marsh said that the additional positives relative to the total tests indicated there’ been no increased growth rate, suggesting the state is still taking the right measures to curb the spread.
But, he said, don’t let that lead to complacency. Continue to stay home or practice social distancing I you go out, and keep practicing good hygiene.
Marsh and Adjutant General James Hoyer said they are working to test materials that may be effective for making protective masks and are exploring decontaminating existing masks.
Crouch talked about the role teachers play in reporting child abuse and neglect cases, and how that isn’t the case with schools closed. He urged anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect to call DHHR at 800-352-6512 to make a report.
Tweet David Beard @dbeardtdp Email dbeard@dominionpost.com
