The Greater Greenbrier COVID-19 Task Force met the morning of Jan. 5 via conference call and reports the following information.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Greenbrier County has 1085 confirmed cases, 3 suspect cases, 547 probable cases, 1080 recovered cases, 515 active cases, 26 hospitalized, and 40 deaths. (These numbers will be updated this afternoon.) We are starting to see the fallout from Christmas holiday in our new cases.
PHONE CALLS. We only have a limited number of phone lines and are working to upgrade our phone infrastructure to accommodate demand. People are calling the health department asking when they can get the vaccine, leaving our limited phone lines tied up. We will release vaccine info regularly. Please check out our Facebook page for updated information.
VACCINES. We are keeping a list of folks who are 80+ years old. When we receive shipments, we will release available doses via vaccine clinics. Additionally, folks are asking what the effects are once you receive the vaccine? It will lessen severe outcomes if you do contract the virus. However, there’s a possibility you may still be able to carry the virus. So we will need to continue to wear masks and social distance for the foreseeable future even when some people have been vaccinated.
TESTING. We have many testing sites throughout the county each day. Please utilize community testing at RCB Clinic, MedExpress, Greenbrier Physicians, Rainelle Medical Center, and Monroe Health Center (free daily testing from 1-3 p.m.). Please do not show up to the Emergency Room for a COVID test.
GREENBRIER COUNTY SCHOOLS. Late last week, the WVDE outlined new guidelines for school attendance. The state board is meeting today. Our county board meets this morning. Please stay tuned for additional information.
HOSPITAL. We currently have 19 COVID patients in house and three on ventilators. Visitors continue to only be allowed on a limited basis.
WVSOM. Students were required to return to Lewisburg to quarantine for two weeks prior to the start of classes this semester.
RCB CLINIC. Our phone call volumes are also very high with folks calling about the vaccine. We apologize if you cannot get through but do our best to answer all calls. We are calling our patients over 80 years old to schedule their vaccinations to the extent we have vaccines available. COVID testing demand remains very high. We are seeing around 100 patients per day during our 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. testing window. We do our best to move folks through as quickly as possible. Our staff is beginning to be vaccinated in accordance with state guidelines.
RAINELLE MEDICAL. We tested over 150 people yesterday during a popup free testing event. We are tentatively planning another one this Thursday morning at the Rainelle location. Watch our social media for the latest info. We are keeping a waitlist for those who want to receive the vaccine when we have supply available.
GREENBRIER PHYSICIANS. We are continuing vaccinations for staff and remain available for patient needs.
COMMITTEE ON AGING. We divided our staff into two groups so that in case we do have a positive in a group, we will continue to have staff availability to provide services in the other group. We continue to provide all services to our seniors.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. We are doing governmental office sanitizations, messaging the importance of testing and vaccines, and remain available to assist as needed.
WV SENATE. The state department of education says educator vaccines will begin this week. The legislative session officially begins on Jan. 13 with an organizational day and the full session begins Feb. 10. Discussions are ongoing as to what it will look like this year, with everything from no changes to virtual being on the table. Last but not least, I am still working with folks each day who have unemployment issues. If you do, please just email your name and phone number to stephen.baldwin@wvsenate.gov.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR. Mayor Beverly White and the Lewisburg City Council announced today that they are recognizing The Greater Greenbrier COVID19 Task Force as the Volunteer of the Year for their volunteer efforts in working to protect public health over the last year.
HIGH ROCKS. Our dinner special is available again! Free for students. $5 for adults. Call 304-647-4994 to reserve yours. Also give us a call if your student needs tutoring help!
