Preston County health officials continue dealing with coronavirus surge

KINGWOOD, W.Va. — As active coronavirus cases in West Virginia decline, Preston County health officials report a local surge is ongoing.

“From Friday to Sunday, we had 144 new cases in Preston County,” Preston County Health Administrator V.J. Davis told MetroNews affiliate WAJR-AM. “On Friday alone, we have 78 new cases come in, which was a record for one day since the pandemic started.”

According to the state Department of Health and Human Resources, 42% of Preston County residents eligible for the vaccines have received the necessary doses to be fully vaccinated.

Davis said the health department has reached out to state agencies about conducting contract tracing as the sustained increase has made it difficult for Preston County officials to provide related services.

Davis said he does not expect a surge in cases related to the recent Resonance Music Festival in Masontown, which 10,000 people attended. He noted concerns with the upcoming Buckwheat Festival, which will begin Sept. 30.

“That festival we probably worry a little more about because we know we will have a lot more Preston County residents attending that,” he said. “In fact, the majority of the people attending that festival will be Preston County residents.”

Davis advises people who are feeling sick should not go to the festival regardless of if they have tested positive for the coronavirus.





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