HUNTINGTON, West Virginia. Cabell County continues to experience elevated spread of COVID-19. The Cabell-Huntington Health Department has identified 184 new cases in the first 5 days of November, including 83 cases reported on November 5th, the highest single day’s reporting during this pandemic. These cases are reported from a broad cross-section of the community with no single outbreak accounting for a majority of yesterday’s 83 cases. Cases are occurring in multiple areas and industries consistent with elevated risk of worker or client/customer disease contact. Some businesses have temporarily closed due to illness or quarantine. Many cases of community spread are reportedly associated with smaller private parties or family gatherings. Deaths have occurred with increasing frequency, especially among the elderly and those with weakened immune systems or other medical conditions known to result in more severe illness. “With high numbers of people infected in the community, no household, business, or organization is fully protected from the introduction of the virus,” stated Dr. Michael Kilkenny, Physician Director of the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, adding, “the public can take even more action to protect themselves from this disease.”
Keeping in mind the recommendations of the Cabell County Stay at Home Advisory issued October 15, Cabell Countians should consider all additional steps they can take to protect themselves and the people they care about. These steps may include:
- The use of face coverings in the presence of anyone, including a family member or friend, who is not a member of the same household.
- Household review of guidance for isolation or quarantine of family members since there is a greater than a 50% chance of disease spread among household members when one member is infected.
- Personal consideration of the risk of attendance at any non-essential meeting, gathering, or event.
- Strict adherence to all emergency orders of the Governor of West Virginia related to COVID control.
- Safe contact and support of each other during this trying time.
• Assure that your neighbors and family, especially those at risk, have the support they need to stay healthy using non-contact delivery and communication methods as much as possible.
For more information on safe practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please visit our website www.cabellhealth.org.
