Gov. Jim Justice acknowledged continued questions about how counties designated as hotspots could be affected by loosened coronavirus precautions.
But without a lot of elaboration, Justice said more guidelines for 11 West Virginia hotspot counties will be released this weekend.
“We want a continued effort of a lot, a lot of feedback from these counties,” Justice said during a Friday afternoon news conference.
Questions from local leaders have focused on whether a cumulative 3 percent infection rate for the entire state is the appropriate way to assess regions that have been hit hardest by the virus.
In particular, some Eastern Panhandle residents have asked whether that area’s proximity to outbreaks in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland should receive specific attention.
“We are very aware of the hotspot counties and their bordering out-of-state neighbors,” Justice said.
And although infection rates in Kanawha and Monongalia counties have been described as relatively low overall, those counties have among the state’s highest number of confirmed cases.
By midday Friday, state figures showed Kanawha with 160 confirmed cases, Berkeley County with 147 cases and Monongalia with 102 cases.
Jackson County, with a smaller population than the others, has had 15 deaths, many of them associated with an outbreak at the Eldercare nursing home.
West Virginia has started a phased-in reopening of its economy with the resumption of elective medical procedures underway.
On Monday, more activity can begin with barbershops and hair salons by appointment only, restaurants with takeout and outdoor dining, small businesses under 10 people and worship services with recommended social distancing precautions.
That includes shifting to a “Safer at Home” order by Justice that recommends people use their own judgment to stay away from others and slow the spread of virus.
Still, Justice said, “I caution everyone out there, we’re dealing with a disease that’s a killer. You have got to be on guard, cautious, really, really smart.”
Democrats in the House of Delegates sent a letter to the governor this week asking questions about the planned reopening. They included:
- “Will the state plan be adjusted for regional hotspots (such as the Eastern Panhandle, North Central West Virginia, the Kanawha Valley, etc.) The rate of infection is higher (and thus more dangerous) in certain areas than others. Are you planning on taking a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach for each of the 55 counties?”
- What discretion, if any, are you giving to local health departments and county commissions to address ‘hot spot’ areas so that the citizens in those areas can remain safe?
House Minority Leader Tim Miley, D-Harrison, was among the 30 delegates who signed the letter. He appeared Friday on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
“I think we need to be mindful that certain areas of our state have a higher infection rate on a percentage basis than what the percentage in the rest of the state is,” said Miley, who represents an area considered a hotspot.
Miley said the public continues to need specific guidance as the state transitions to a new phase of greater openness.
“Many people are hearing from their constituents – some want the state open yesterday, some think it’s a little too early. But I think everyone wants some certainty or knowledge about what to expect,” he said.
.@BradMcElhinny joins @HoppyKercheval to provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. WATCH: https://t.co/jmMe7bOYY9 pic.twitter.com/S0rQTtL4cu
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) May 1, 2020
Senator John Unger, D-Jefferson, has been concerned about the Eastern Panhandle’s proximity to viral outbreaks in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. He also worries about the adequacy of testing capacity and reporting.
“We need to be using the data instead of our desires,” Unger said this week. “The data shows that there will be a resurgence, but the present opening up procedures seem to be driven with desire and putting people at risk.”
Monongalia County’s commission has been asking Governor Justice to support a mandate for people to wear masks when they are out in public, at least for the next few weeks.
That’s during a period when thousands of West Virginia University students are expected to return to pick up belongings left on campus when in-person studies were suddenly halted a few weeks ago.
“Given the success that Monongalia County has achieved in managing this crisis, we as commissioners are concerned that all of our good work could be reversed if we did not take maximum precautions,” the commissioners wrote.
Justice, during Friday’s news conference, urged caution for everyone across the state.
“We want everybody to come back online, and we want to do as much as we possibly can as we do the baby steps instead of the running,” he said.