KINGWOOD — Preston County had the state’s highest percent positivity rate as of Christmas Eve, according to health officials.
The Preston County Health Department posted that and other COVID-19 statistics Thursday.
According to the department:
— March-October, Preston had 229 COVID cases confirmed and four deaths.
— from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, the county had 1,239 confirmed cases and 21 deaths.
— that’s an average of 23 new cases every day, or .95 new cases every hour and a death every 2.6 days (one every 62 hours).
— Preston County currently has the seventh highest infection rate in West Virginia at 100.42 per 100,000, and the highest percent positivity rate in West Virginia at 14.64%.
“With two holidays in the next eight days, we all must be very careful. This virus is spreading at record rates,” the department said in the release Thursday.
“Please, if your family is planning a large get together over the holidays be very thoughtful to take precautions, especially around older loved ones. We would encourage everyone to scale down holiday events to just those in your own household.”
All we can do to slow things down is be smart, the department urged.
“Please, Preston County, make the decision that you are going to do all you can to protect your loved ones, friends, family and fellow citizens. Wear face coverings, limit interaction with others, stay six feet way and wash your hands often.
“Lets do everything we can to make sure we celebrate Christmas and New Years with all of our loved ones next year!”
TWEET@DominionPostWV
