(Publisher’s Note: The COVID Diary will be a daily addition to the coronavirus coverage offered by LEDE News in order to ensure all of the latest information is made available to our readers. The included information has been collected from local, state, and federal officials who have communicated with media outlets, including The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY). This resource will publish when updates become available.)
Stay. At. Home.
That was one of the orders issued by W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice earlier today, and it is in effect at this time.
The governor, during a press conference this afternoon that was delayed twice before he started his address around 1:20 p.m., informed the public the state’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased to 16 over the weekend, including one that was discovered in a rest home. Justice said he immediately dispatched four members of the state’s National Guard to test all residents and employees at the facility.
Justice also order non-essential businesses to close and mandated that state parks cancel all reservations for rental cabins and to cease accepting the new customers.
The governor also proclaimed this Wednesday as, “Day of State Prayer.”
“I know there are a lot of people who are being critical of Gov. Justice right now, but I have to ask people to give him more patience,” Del. Lisa Zukoff (D-4th) said this afternoon on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY). “The governor tired today, and I’m sure that’s because he’s been working very hard to keep us safe.
“No governor during our lifetimes has every done what he’s doing right now, so I think we need to cut him some breaks sometimes,” she said. “He’s a made a lot of decisions, so I am hopeful that the closings and today’s ‘stay at home’ order works to keep the spread down to as minimal as possible. In the end, that’s what we’re all hoping, and I am sure that’s his goal.”
Prior to today, Gov. Justice had closed schools, bars, restaurants, fitness clubs and gyms, and state parks. This past Saturday evening, the governor urged state residents to take heed to the warnings in an effort to limit the spread in West Virginia.
“What I was trying to tell you Saturday night,” Gov. Justice said this afternoon, “was to do better.”
A Cruise of OK
The governor added that he has instructed his staff to begin an inventory of hospital beds in the state, and to contact the state’s medical schools to see if students and staff could be available to assist, and to check on the availability of dorm rooms now that the remainder of the spring semester has been canceled. Justice repeated several times, though, for the state’s residents to remain in their homes.
“You see people at the stores, but other than that I think we are just staying at home for the most part,” said Del. Erikka Storch (R-3rd). “But I am glad that he said it because I’m sure folks needed to hear it from him instead of from someone else, so hopefully now they are safe, too.
“And, if you see some cars out, just realize that there are people who are just driving around to see something other than the inside of their homes,” the lawmaker said. “My own mother asked me if I thought it was a safe thing to do, and it is and that’s why I’ll go over and make sure her tank is full and things like that.”
Notes:
- Ohio County Schools Superintendent Dr. Miller announced this afternoon that meal distribution at 10 locations was suspended immediately for safety reasons. The district will now develop a program with local agencies, and possibly with the National Guard to resume to distribution as soon as possible.
- The city of Wheeling has closed all parks and playgrounds, and has suspended sweeping and ticketing for parking violations.
- John Lynch from WTRF TV-7 reported this morning that Wheeling Hospital CEO Doug Harrison stated that 40 NR95 masks have been stolen from the facility’s Corporate Health Department. Harrison said officers with the Wheeling Police Department are now investigating.
- The Marshall County Commission voted to declare of State of Emergency, a move that will allow the county to take protective measures as needed.
- WVU Medicine has implemented a “no visitation” policy at its medical facilities, including locations in Wheeling, Glen Dale, and Barnesville.
- West Liberty University has suspended its search for its next president, and Dr. Stephen Greiner has agreed to remain in his position until September instead of retiring in May.
- On Sunday, Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine issued a “stay at home” order for all non-essential workers in the Buckeye State. Despite that order, many residents are permitted to report to work, including those employed in the media, energy, transportation, healthcare, food and agriculture, gas stations, restaurants for off-site consumption, funeral services, and several more. Ohio is one of eight states where “stay at home” orders have been issued.
- Pres. Trump said during a briefing this evening that the deadline for registration for the Real ID, a federal requirement that was implemented in West Virginia more than five years, will be extended for the state’s yet to enforce it. The deadline was set for Oct. 1.
- According to the federal Center for Disease Control, this evening there are 43,449 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States with 545 deaths. In West Virginia, there are 20 cases and no deaths; in Ohio, 442 cases and six deaths, and 644 positives in Pennsylvania with four fatalities. The United States now ranks third in the world.
