Five recent COVID-19 outbreaks at churches across the state spurred extensive discussion during Monday’s coronavirus press briefing — chiefly about what can be done to avoid more of them.
Over the weekend, Gov. Jim Justice said, an outbreak at Graystone Baptist Church in Ronceverte, Greenbrier County, led to 28 positive cases and the National Guard went in on Sunday to begin response measures.
The names of the other four churches were not disclosed, but Bureau of Public Health Commissioner Cathy Slemp said they were in Marshall, Boone, Hampshire and Jefferson counties. Across the five outbreaks, 53 individuals were infected, and another 26 were infected through subsequent contact.
People regularly ask if some activity is safe or not safe, she said. “It really isn’t just a matter of safe or not safe. It is really about managing risk, and that takes some intentional action by all of us.”
The recent outbreaks were community-based, she said and produced three key lessons.
One, the prevention measures work. Churches where attendees remain in family units, where all maintain proper distancing or worship outside, have reported no outbreaks.
Two, be careful about out-of-state travel, where it’s possible to get infected and bring it back.
Three, if you’re sick stay home.
COVID-19 Czar Clay Marsh offered the same message.
“It is really important for us to reflect on the things that we know are important in protecting ourselves and protecting our state,” he said.
He again advocated for the Three C’s: Avoid closed spaces where it’s easier to get infected; avoid constant contacts — people you don’t live with that you are next to; and avoid crowds.
When you will be around other people, will have trouble distancing or will be in a crowd, he said, wear a mask.
He again cited research reported by health writer Tomas Pueyo that shows the failure of Sweden’s “herd immunity” approach to the virus.
Sweden took only enough precautions to avoid overwhelming its hospitals, Pueyo reported, but otherwise let life carry on as normal, mask-free, in order to let as many people as possible get infected and allow the virus to slow and pass naturally.
As a result, it has the highest positive rate in Scandinavia — higher than all other Scandinavian nations combined — and nearly the highest death rate it Europe, Pueyo reported.
Justice said the response in Roncerverte followed his “run to the fire” philosophy — get in quick, do decontamination, expanded testing and contact tracing. “We have got to continue to go to a knife fight with a bazooka.”
He again urged people not to assume everything’s better.
“This thing is not going away. It’s with us and we’ve really got to stand ready and be on our toes. … All we can do is minimize the risk,” he said. “… None of us should rest until this is over.”
Among Justice’s daily news nuggets, he updated the statewide corrections testing numbers: There were 12 total positive cases among inmates at five jails and two prisons, up from nine last week.
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