The administrator of the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department estimates that more than 3,000 tests have been conducted since the third week of March at the three testing sites in the county to determine if residents from the tri-state region had become infected with COVID-19.
To date, 40 individuals have tested positive for the coronavirus in Ohio County, Administrator Howard Gamble reported during the Memorial Day weekend. Prior to last Friday, Ohio County had not recorded a positive test since May 15.
“Since we started testing here in Ohio County, there have been a little more than 3,000 tests that have been performed on people who have gone to the off-site location at Wheeling Park and at the two other locations that we have here in the county,” said Gamble. “When we first started testing, the system was not set up for each county to report how many people were getting tested. We only counted the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19.
“Plus, the off-site location is a regional testing sight, so we do not have the information as far as how many Ohio County residents have been tested,” he continued. “So, there is not official data concerning the numbers of tests, but we are confident that it is more than 3,000 at this time.”
Bars Open Today
The favorite watering holes in the state of West Virginia are scheduled to reopen beginning today, but the 50 percent restriction will apply once again, according to the orders issued by Gov. Jim Justice. With one Ohio County establishment, Wild West near Oglebay, shuttered by the state Alcohol Beverage Control Administration last week for not following the state guidelines, Gamble hopes other owners and managers adhere to the issued regulations.
“When the bars do open, patrons will be able to sit at the actual bar, but if a bar has 10 seats, they would have to remove five of them to adhere to the 50 percent order from the governor,” Gamble said. “The idea is to spread people out, so those chairs at the bar will need to be six feet apart and no one is permitted to stand in between those chairs.
“Now, some of the bars we have in Ohio County are pretty tight, so those folks need to take a look at whether or not they need to remove six chairs instead of five. It’s really all about keeping people as safe as possible,” he explained. “Now, some people would be permitted to sit side-by-side because it’s a husband and a wife, but if that bartender doesn’t know that for sure, they need to find out that information.”
Dining In?
Face coverings. 50 percent occupancy. Disposable plates and disposable condiment containers. Since last week, the eateries in Ohio County that did open, according to Gamble, have followed the rules.
“Every member of the staff at a restaurant that decided to re-open for dine-in service should be wearing a face covering,” Gamble said. “When it comes to all of the businesses that have been allowed to reopen per the governor’s order, the precautions they must take have been spelled out very clearly. And, across the country, the message from the public health community has been to wear the face coverings.”
A complaint registered with state authorities led to the Wild West closure, and the same could take place again in Ohio County if customers feel they have entered a dangerous environment.
“The face coverings are to protect the staff member and to protect the customers, and the customers are going to want to see them wearing them,” the health department administrator said. “And, of course, the seating needs to go down to 50 percent. For example, if you have 20 tables inside, then that restaurant owner would need to remove half of them and down to 10 tables. Also, until (tomorrow), if a restaurant has a bar, that bar is still closed.”
Play and Stay Safe
Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott announced last week that residents could begin enjoying the city’s parks and playgrounds once again, but city officials also listed advice for those who wish to visit such areas:
- A maximum of 25 people is permitted on the playground at one time.
- Please be courteous to others and limit your time on the playground when others are waiting.
- The playground is NOT being sanitized on a regular basis. Please bring your own hand sanitizer with you while on the playground. Utilize the hand sanitizer before and after using each piece of equipment.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Follow social distancing guidelines and remain six feet apart.
“We are always reminding people that if they have things they constantly touch, they need to be wiped down frequently. Things like doorknobs, computer keyboards, and our phones,” said Gamble. “The same goes for the equipment inside fitness centers, and the local, outdoor playgrounds, too. They are open, but people have to be aware that we are not out there sanitizing after every child uses that equipment.
“When this virus first emerged, we had to compare it to other similar viruses as far as how long it lives on a surface after it’s been touched,” he explained. “It really depends on the surface that has been touched because it will break more quickly if we’re talking about a fabric or something that is porous, but a virus will last longer on a harder surface like a counter or a table.”
