MORGANTOWN – Gov. Jim Justice announced two more coronavirus-related executive orders during his Tuesday press briefing.
One suspends all elective medical procedures effective midnight Tuesday. This is an effort to reduce the use of personal protective equipment and save it for essential needs.
The other shuts down all private campgrounds to new arrivals from out of state. It doesn’t affect out-of-state campers already in place.
Justice said these measures are part of the state’s ongoing effort to minimize the spread and keep the relative rate of positive cases at 4% – compared to 8% to 10% nationally and 30% to 50% in New York City.
“We need you so bad to keep up what we’re doing,” he said. “This will pass and then we’ll feel wonderful about it.”
COVID-19 Czar Clay Marsh said other U.S. metropolitan areas are now seeing the same surge as New York City, and the governor’s measures are paying off here. “Each one of us needs to take responsibility not just for our selves but for our communities. “We are focusing to create a single entity fighting against this virus and protecting our citizens, essential workers, first responders, health care workers, everyone.”
Even as the state works to respond to the pandemic, the pending closure of another hospital was announced. Williamson Memorial Hospital in Mingo County will close around April 21. Justice said parties are in talks about the hospital’s fate. “I will try to work in every way possible I can work to see if we can keep that hospital open.”
Bureau of Public Health Commissioner Cathy Slemp said there are coronavirus testing sites set up around the state. For those who feel they may need some form of behavioral health help, the care is available for those without insurance. There is a link to behavioral health resources at https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx.
Marsh talked about West Virginia’s relative low number of positive tests compared to other states. Tuesday afternoon’s count was 162 positive cases and 3,981 negatives.
West Virginia, he said, is trying to test people with the highest risk or who have had potential contacts with those who are infected or with people from higher -risk areas.
When testing expands into surveillance testing to the broader population, he said, the proportion of positive tests to the total number tested should actually go down. Health authorities presume that the current 4% rate is higher than the total infection rate in the state. They’re still watching for the surge.
The American Civil Liberties Union ha questioned the constitutionality of Justice’s ban on people form high-risk areas coming into the state. In answer to a question about that, Justice said, “People are dying all over the place. … I’m going to try to protect our people.”
Immediately after the press briefing, Justice planned to meet with Secretary of State Mac Warner and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to talk about the May 12 primary election, and whether the date should be changed. They have to consider such factors as children coming to polling places and getting exposed. “Moving an election is really a serious, serious thing.”
And Justice urged all residents to fill out their U.S. Census forms so that all can be counted. An accurate population count is essential to West Virginia getting its fair share of federal dollars. He had flashed on the screen several times the number to call to obtain a Census card for those who haven’t received one: 844-330-2020.
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