LEWISBURG, W.Va. — A COVID-19 community spread case in Greenbrier County grew to 17 confirmed cases Saturday prompting Gov. Jim Justice to order additional testing Sunday and Monday.
As MetroNews reported Friday, the county had confirmed 9 connected cases in a 24-hour period with the potential for additional cases. The cases started with one person who had traveled outside the state and had the virus upon return to Greenbrier County. Officials said Saturday the spread occurred at church.
COVID-19 community spread reported in Greenbrier County – WV MetroNews https://t.co/ksRo0J2uGY
— Jeff Jenkins (@JeffJenkinsMN) June 12, 2020
Gov. Justice has ordered the National Guard to environmentally clean the church. The building will be closed for 14 days.
“I want to strongly encourage all West Virginians, especially when in church settings, to follow the guidelines and use every other pew, maintain social distancing, and please wear masks,” Justice said Saturday evening. “A lot of the attendance at our churches are those that are elderly and at higher risk, so we are cautioning everyone to strictly follow our guidelines. As I have said many times, we will have stormy seas before we get a vaccine, so it is imperative that we strictly follow the guidelines or the seas will only get rougher.”
The state DHHR confirmed Saturday there had been breakouts at other churches in recent weeks in Boone, Hampshire, Jefferson and Marshall counties.
.@WV_DHHR confirmed 5 COVID-19 outbreaks at churches in WV; most recent occurring at Greenbrier Co. church with 17 cases. @WVGovernor ordered the @WV_DHHR, @WVNationalGuard and Greenbrier Co. Health Department to respond to this outbreak. https://t.co/aB2yu724mC
— WV DH, DHF, and DoHS (@WV_DH_DHF_DoHS) June 13, 2020
“There are several key lessons to be learned from these outbreaks. Practicing good prevention measures do make a difference, such as wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart and using good hygiene,” said Dr. Cathy Slemp, State Health Officer and Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health. “Out of state travel can be a risk and precautions should be taken upon return to West Virginia. Finally, please stay home from work or other community events if you are not feeling well.”
The state said the churches would not be identified.
Testing events are set for Sunday and Monday at Dorie Miller Park in Lewisburg from 10.am to 2 p.m.
“I encourage anyone that has any level of concern to come and be tested,” Justice said.