The Greater Greenbrier COVID-19 Task Force met this morning via conference call and reports the following information.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Greenbrier County has 115 total positive cases, 3 suspect cases, 103 recovered cases, 12 active cases, 1 hospitalized, and 3 deaths. The majority of new cases continue to be community transmission cases. (This means the virus is here, and folks are acquiring it here.) Please wear a mask, socially distance, and wash your hands to prevent the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 TESTS continue to be available at MedExpress, Rainelle Medical, and Robert C. Byrd Clinic daily.
GREENBRIER COUNTY SCHOOLS. With the opening of schools on 9/8/20, Greenbrier County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bryant personally spoke with every principal this morning. So far, everything is going well. Student conduct is good in terms of compliance with guidelines.
STUDENT COVID-19 TESTS. If a student needs a COVID-19 test, they will be referred to a local provider by the school nurse.
SCHOOL QUESTIONS? If you are a parent or student with specific questions, please contact your principal directly.
GV MEDICAL CENTER. Due to an uptick in cases locally, we are not opening the hospital to visitors right now as we had hoped to do. This is to keep our patients and staff as safe as possible.
WVSOM. We have no positive cases to report. There are contingency plans in place should they be needed, but they have not been needed as of now. We adhere to strict guidelines in terms of PPE, travel, and social interactions to keep the community safe.
RCB CLINIC is continuing to monitor the local COVID-19 situation and adapt as needed. We are expanding our capabilities to be able to handle the expected increase in sick children (typical childhood illnesses associated with the opening of school) during the COVID changes.
LONG TERM RECOVERY received some good news about grants for Alderson flooding which we are excited about! Since no federal funds are available, we are reliant exclusively on what we can raise. Stay tuned.
COMMITTEE ON AGING. We are participating in the governor’s summer feeding program. 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.
THE HUB. Dinners continue to be available. Free for students and $5 for adults. Call ahead 304-647-4994 by noon to place your order! We are using local produce as much as possible to prepare these meals.
UNITED WAY. Our WV 211 service remains available. If you know families in need of services, please have them call us at 2-1-1.
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS employees are working in schools to assist in-person students. However, we also remain available for virtual students to try and meet their needs as well. Additionally, we are conducting a “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive. You can buy items in-person at Love Child in Lewisburg or virtually via online registry at Amazon or Walmart. See our Facebook page for details. All supplies go to our schools in Greenbrier County.
SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS are available for businesses with 0-35 employees. Apply via the WV Grant portal online (grants.wv.gov). Sole proprietors are eligible for $2,000 and businesses with 1-35 employees are eligible for $5,000. Applications will close at the end of September, so be sure to apply!
Submitted by Senator Stephen Baldwin on behalf of the Task Force.
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