Kanawha County has had a 47% jump in coronavirus cases in the past month, and Kanawha County officials are sending the urgent message for residents to practice social distancing and to wear their masks. Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said it’s a simple ask, and a mask does work. Dr. Sherri Young, who is the director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, said last weekend the county had 37 new virus cases, and this past weekend had the same total – in just one day. She said there had been a spike from travel-related causes and now the county is experiencing community spread.
Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin said the big concern has been vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions, but the virus is now spreading to much younger people. She said the youngest patient right now is just 1 years old.