KINGWOOD — The Preston County Health Department is launching a campaign to protect Preston from COVID-19.
Health Department Director VJ. Davis showed county commissioners the blue and white “We Pledge to Protect Preston” posters at their meeting Tuesday.
The campaign also has a website, ProtectPreston.com.
“Working together as a community we can slow the spread of the virus and keep our county safe and open for business,” the page notes.
“This is a very simple thing,” Davis said. “What we’re asking is for businesses, government entities, individuals, organizations, anybody who would like to, basically to pledge to protect Preston.”
The posters will be distributed for free to show a commitment to the pledge.
Preston has had 104 confirmed cases of the virus. “The most important part is right now we only have 12 active cases in Preston County, and that’s the lowest number we’ve been at in a while, and we hope it continues to go down,” Davis said Tuesday.
He doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that the statewide mask mandate started about three weeks ago and case numbers began declining.
“This virus is here. Obviously it’s not going anywhere,” Davis said. “We’re kind of stuck with it for now, and really the only thing we can do is try to protect ourselves and others as best as we can.”
The only definite ways to do that are frequent hand washing, maintaining social distancing and wearing a face covering, Davis said. Those are on the poster.
County Administrator Kathy Mace said county government is moving into Stage 2 of its COVID response.
Stage 1 was “Oh my gosh, what are we going to do?” she said. “And now we’re getting a little bit more organized.”
As the courts become more active, more intense cleaning, particularly in courtrooms, will be required, she said. She’s asked the custodial staff to estimate how much extra time will be required.
An evaluation will then be made on whether temporary help will be needed. They will also compare spraying versus hands on disinfectant.
Mace said office holders have been asked which employees they would like to work from home if there is a positive case diagnosed in an office.
Preston County has received $74,313 in CARES funding. Another $17,645 CARES Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant will go to the county clerk’s office to reimburse additional expenses incurred during the election because of the virus.
And the county received a $19,864 HAVA grant to provide security at the new election center at the Kingwood Plaza and buy additional vote counting machines. The commission’s match is $13,725 for the two grants.
In other action, commissioners:
- reappointed board members to the Preston County Economic Development Authority. Nicholas Taylor represents the Town of Newburg, Laura Delaney the Town of Bruceton Mills, Jim Lobb is an at large member, Mark Reed represents Rowlesburg and Jean Guillot, Kingwood.
- approved a request from Brenda Casteel to allow ATVs to use county roads Aug. 29 during a benefit ride in the Corinth, Cranesville, Brandonville area.
- said Mike Adams has resigned from the board of directors of Public Service District 1. Mace said the position can’t be posted until the county receives a resignation letter. Applicants must be customers of the district.
Tweet @DominionPostWV
