The Greater Greenbrier COVID-19 Task Force met this morning via conference call and reports the following information.
1. HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Cases are increasing. Folks are not wearing masks and distancing. People are having parties. Halloween caused an uptick in cases. The virus is on the rise here locally. Flu cases are now showing as well. This is a critical moment. The next few months will be tough. The more we follow guidelines, the better our results will be. Greenbrier County has 220 confirmed cases, 3 suspect cases, 35 probable cases, 193 recovered cases, 59 active cases, 2 hospitalized, and 6 deaths. These numbers will be updated this afternoon. We can’t thank our school nurses enough for their hard work in mitigating spread.
2. SCHOOL CLOSURES. Ronceverte, Lewisburg, Rupert, Western Greenbrier, Eastern Greenbrier, & Greenbrier East are all closed right now and will reopen Nov 12. White Sulphur Elementary is closed now and will reopen Nov 30. These closures are due to COVID-19 cases. Frankford, Alderson, Crichton, Rainelle, Smoot & Greenbrier West are all open right now.
3. FOOD FOR STUDENTS. Food boxes will be distributed at all secondary schools today, Nov 10, from 12-1pm.
4. BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING. The regular Board of Education meeting was held virtually last night at 7pm.
5. RCB CLINIC. COVID testing demand is increasing. We test daily. We also have some flu vaccine available. Dr. Jennifer Rose is a new physician on staff and will begin seeing patients next week.
6. RAINELLE MEDICAL. We have a flu vaccine clinic in Rainelle today. It is a free vaccine. We will also be offering flu vaccines at all of our locations from November 10 to November 20. The patients will be entered to win a Thanksgiving Dinner box with all the dinner sides. The Greenbrier East/Eastern School-Based and Community Health Center is now open year-round. The site will be opened Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. COVID-19 testing and telehealth appointments are available.
7. 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.
8. HOMELAND SECURITY. We have a list of vendors where you can get PPE and cleaning materials for folks who need them.
9. THE HUB. Tutoring and dinners continue to be available. Dinner is free for students and $5 for adults. Call ahead 304-647-4994 by noon to place your order, pickup between 4:30 and 6:30! We are using local produce and cooking from scratch. Free, quality tutoring is available 10am-6pm from Monday-Wednesday at the High Rocks Hub and Marvel Center (or virtually) in partnership with Dinmore and Shoals.. To sign up for tutoring, email Jennifer.mason@dinsmore.com or tammy.bennett@dinsmore.com.
10. RESOURCE GUIDE. If you have updates or additions to the resource guide, please email cindy@cindyforwv.com or stephen.h.baldwin@gmail.com.
11. COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS. Our children are facing major social pressures and challenges each day. We are partnering with Greenbrier Valley Hospital and Rainelle Medical Center to match donors with children in need for Christmas. If you have questions, please contact Brittany Masters at director@cisgc.org.
Submitted by Senator Stephen Baldwin, chair of the Task Force.
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