The Greater Greenbrier COVID-19 Task Force met Tuesday, October 6, via conference call and reports the following information.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Greenbrier County has 139 total positive cases, 3 suspect cases, 1 probable case, 129 recovered cases, 11 active cases, 2 hospitalized, and 3 deaths. (The probable test comes from a rapid test which came back positive but the lab test came back negative.) Please wear a mask, socially distance, and wash your hands to prevent the spread of the virus.
DRIVE THRU FLU CLINIC. Thursday, October 15, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. you can get a drive-thru flu shot at the State Fair. The same billing methods will be used as in the office. Insurance will be billed. There are discounts for folks without insurance. For example, an adult without insurance will be charged $18 and children will generally be much less.
GREENBRIER COUNTY SCHOOLS. We are holding a Board meeting this Thursday morning to consider where we are with the reentry plan and make any necessary changes. All secondary school leaders will be in attendance for discussion. You can join the meeting virtually via the GCS website.
WVSOM. In keeping with the governor’s plan for surveillance testing, we will be testing 10% of our school population including students, faculty, and staff for 10 weeks this fall.
RCB CLINIC. Flu season has begun. We have seen several positive strep cases but no flu cases yet. Our mobile clinic visits have doubled recently with increased flu and COVID testing as well as typical respiratory illnesses.
RAINELLE MEDICAL. The school-based health clinic behind Greenbrier Easy is a community site. It is open five days a week (730am-330pm) year-round for all patients, not just students. We are still doing temperature checks and screening at the front door and conducting COVID testing daily at all locations. Waiting room times are limited to avoid congregating inside. We have been conducting flu vaccination clinics, as it is more important than ever to be vaccinated for the flu.
SENECA HEALTH. Suicides and overdoses have increased this year in Greenbrier County due to COVID, financial issues, and substance abuse. If you see someone who needs help, you can call us 24 hours a day at 304-497-0500 or 9-1-1. Crisis workers are standing by to help.
RESOURCE GUIDE. Our task force will again push our resource guide out so folks in need will know where they can turn.
COMMITTEE ON AGING. We are participating in the governor’s summer feeding program still into the fall. These meals (five days worth) can be picked up once a week. We also have vouchers for farmer’s markets available for seniors. If you have questions, you can call the office at 304-392-5138. We continue to provide in-home services, Meals on Wheels, and meals to go for our senior citizens. Medical transport continues as well for those we need it. The state is working on a reopening plan for seniors centers like ours, and we are awaiting that guidance.
ACCESS TO EDUCATION. A partnership with Greenbrier County Schools, Communities in Schools, Dinsmore & Shohl, Bimbo Coles & Company, B3 Security, Marvel Center, and High Rocks will provide tutoring and Wifi access to local students. The tutoring locations are High Rocks, Bimbo Coles & Co, and Marvel. Social distancing will be practiced. Tutoring is available 10am-6pm from Monday-Wednesday. (We can also offer virtual tutoring for families with immunocompromised members.) All tutors receive background checks. To sign up for tutoring, email Jennifer.mason@dinsmore.com or tammy.bennett@dinsmore.com.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. In the month of September, we had no first responder positive cases. This is a testament to them for being safe and our health department being proactive in sharing information across the board!
TASK FORCE MEETINGS will be held on Tuesdays at 11am moving forward.
Submitted by Senator Stephen Baldwin on behalf of the Task Force.
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