Task Force provides local updates

The Greater Greenbrier COVID-19 Task Force met on Wednesday, Apr. 1, via conference call and reports the following information.

1. Health Department: Wal-Mart, Kroger, and Dollar General are now offering senior hours for shopping. At Wal-Mart, it’s 6-7 a.m. on Tuesdays. At Kroger, it’s 7-8 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. At Dollar General, the first hour the store is open is devoted to seniors. Workers may begin wearing masks just to be safe. In terms of testing, new rapid testing has been requested here and we hope to receive some in the next few weeks. Any rapid testing that is received will be given to the hospital. West Virginia’s peak for COVID-19 cases is expected in late April. Out of 160 total tests in Greenbrier County, 66 are confirmed negative, 4 are confirmed positive, and 90 are pending.
2. Schools: Plans are being made by local school leadership about how the rest of the year may unfold. They are meeting via phone weekly. Regarding student meals, Pipestem will begin preparing all meals. (State government kitchens across the state are providing food for school systems.) GGLTRC and GCS will continue providing a distribution network. Next week, meals will continue to be distributed at all elementary schools, as well as Renick, Williamsburg, Marvel, and Alvon serve as distribution sites. Bus drivers are running their routes for deliveries. Jeff Bryant is providing radio updates to the public regularly.
3. Long Term Recovery: The National Guard previously assigned to assist with student meals has been reassigned. GGLTRC will continue to partner with GCS in food distribution but will not need to prepare food any longer due to Pipestem preparing meals. A huge thanks to all the volunteers helping to meet needs locally!
4. WVSOM: Our 3D-printed masks were tested by the National Guard. One change in the filter was required, which is being accomplished now. Once they’re finalized, they will be fitted to medical providers and distributed as a “Plan C” should traditional masks not be available.
5. GVMC opened a COVID19-care unit this week for suspected and confirmed COVID19 patients, providing them focused care and providing other patients isolation/protection.
6. Robert C. Byrd Clinic is testing for COVID-19 in the parking lot without folks leaving their vehicles. Testing is increasing this week.
7. The Hub is still offering free dinner for students and $5 dinners for adults. Call ahead to reserve yours by 12:30 p.m.
8. Homeland Security: Today we are picking up and distributing PPE for first responders.
9. WV House: On Apr. 1, Governor Justice closed schools until at least Apr. 30. He also delayed the primary election to Tuesday, June 9.
10. WV Senate: Unemployment information is posted on Senator Stephen Baldwin’s Facebook page. Due to the huge volume of calls, they prefer for folks to complete applications online and send questions via email. The federal $600 unemployment benefit will be available retroactively within the next two weeks. As of Apr. 1, over 80,000 West Virginians filed for unemployment during the pandemic. Unemployment applications are being processed within 2-3 days on average.
11. City of Lewisburg: Please take note of trash pickup guidelines – only bagged trash will be picked up for the safety of the workers. If you have questions, please contact Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste Authority 304-645-1470.
12. Census Day: Apr. 1 is Census Day! Fill out yours online or send it via mail. Disaster funding is tied to population, so this is vital for all of us even in these times.
13. Complaint Calls: The Health Department and 911 Center are receiving a huge volume of complaint calls about neighbors and businesses who they believe are not abiding by the “Stay at Home” order. Rumors take away valuable time from professionals seeking to keep us all safe. Merited complaints of violations should be referred to local or county law enforcement. Thank you.