Gov. Justice Confirms State now has Four COVID-19 Related Deaths; Touches on Six Hot Spot Counties, Including Harrison
By Chris Johnson on April 06, 2020 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice's update on the state's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic during his Monday press conference began with some somber news.
"I've just been notified of another death, we now have a third and a fourth death in West Virginia," Justice said. "We know that this pandemic is rough stuff. That's why we urge everybody to stay the course. It's devestating."
The fourth death was not reflective on the updated DHHR statistics, which were released Monday morning. Those numbers can be viewed HERE
The Governor also went over the timeline that led to two additional executive orders being issued on Friday and Saturday in regard to a total of six hot spot counties where stricter guidelines were put into place.
On Friday three eastern panhandle counties in Jefferson, Morgan and Berkeley were determined to be a cluster of hot spot COVID-19 activity and on Saturday, Harrison, Monongalia and Kanawha were brought into the fold.
Justice said those six counties account for 60 percent of the state's positive cases.
"We've got to stay at home, we have got to listen," Justice said. "We have got to know, we are the highest risk state of all. We are within a rock's throw from all the states where people are dropping like files."
To view the executive order, for which Harrison County is included, CLICK HERE
The issue of WorkForce being overwhelmed with unemployment claims and requests for general information has been addressed and a equivalent of three calling centers with the ability to field calls 24/7 is now in place. Justice said a WorkForce employee has tested positive for the virus but that wasn't a factor in WorkForce being bogged down.
The Governor also provided an update on the Kanawha County nursing home facility, Eastbrook Center, where a resident tested positive. He said other residents and workers will be tested today.
The video from the entire press conference can be viewed below.
Click HERE for the press release from the governor's office from today's press conference.
