Gov. Jim Justice began his daily press conference by announcing that regrettably, West Virginia has another death due to COVID-19. He asked West Virginians to keep the family of an 89-year-old woman who died after contracting the disease at Sundale Nursing Home in Morgantown.

 

The governor then announced he is signing an executive order to mandate all private and public golf courses to take additional steps to ensure proper social distancing.

 

“We’re compelling individuals playing golf to ride one to a cart unless they reside together,” he said. “…We’re trying to keep our outdoor spaces open, but people are telling us that people aren’t complying with social distancing.”

 

Gov. Justice is adding to the executive order, allowing all municipalities to hold elections on the same day as the new West Virginia primary date, June 9, 2020.

 

The governor reiterated that the trend line with respect to COVID-19 indicates West Virginia is doing great work, but we can always do better.

 

He commended agencies in Kanawha County working together to convert St. Francis Hospital into an alternative care facility.

 

“We have the National Guard, the DHHR, Homeland Security, State Police and FEMA all working together in case we have a surge in this terrible virus,” he said. “I’m really proud of them and thankful that St. Francis is offering up to 95 beds for overflow from COVID-19 virus if we need that.”

 

The governor next urged senior citizens to be on the lookout for scam artists preying on the COVID-19 situation. Neither the IRS nor the state tax department will ever ask individuals to verify personal information over the phone, he said. Never share that information and never cash suspicious checks. Report suspicious activity by calling 304-558-8520. Read more HERE. 

 

Gov. Justice urged all West Virginians to take a few minutes to respond to Census information. Information can be provided online at 2020census.gov or via mail with forms previously mailed to residents.

 

“It’s vital because we have to be counted for more moneys to flow to us from the federal government,” he said. “At the last go-round of census, we had a tremendous amount of people not counted.”

 

Though only two positive tests were announced Wednesday, Gov. Justice said there were only about 35 test results released. He also said the DHHR is updating numbers now twice daily. New numbers will be reflected at 5 p.m. today. West Virginia’s positive tests vs. total tests is trending at 3.76 percent, far below the national trend of 19.03 percent.

 

As for percentage of population tested, West Virginia stands at 7.23 percent with the national average of 6.76 percent. Follow trends at the dashboard page at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services Web site.

 

Friday’s briefing will be held at 4 p.m.