The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is extending a Judicial Emergency order in all counties through May 1st. The revised order limits hearings to specific “emergency proceedings,” which will be held over the phone of video conference.
Health officials are recommending that the Kanawha County Judicial Annex remain closed until April 27th in effort to promote social distancing. There are eight positive cases of COVID-19 linked to the Annex, and more tests are pending.
Thomas Health is furloughing 500 employees across it’s network in response to services being put on hold because of the coronavirus. Thomas Health filed for Chapter-11 bankruptcy protection in January.
Mountain Health Network is furloughing hundreds of staff members at St. Mary’s Medical Center and Cabell-Huntington Hospital. About one-thousand employees are affected, and 450 have seen a reduction in hours. Officials say the cancelation of elective surgeries has had a major impact on the hospital’s financial health. Two urgent care facilities have been temporarily closed. … Read more
Kanawha County has nearly 60 positive cases of COVID-19, and an infant has tested positive for the virus, and in a separate case, a pregnant woman has tested positive for the coronavirus.
COVID-19 has claimed the life of a third West Virginian. The 76-year-old man passed away at a Morgantown hospital. The man was a resident at Sundale Nursing Home, where more than 20 people contracted the virus two weeks ago.
The state’s newly appointed coronavirus czar says it’s not a bad idea to wear a mask if you are going out. Dr. Clay Marsh says a scarf or bandana will protect anyone around from catching the virus you might be carrying.
Governor Justice says he’s not ready to cancel school for the rest of the year. Schools are closed through April 30th. The Governor says there is value to getting kids back to school, even if it’s for two or three weeks.
A new study shows West Virginians are doing a poor job of social distancing. The Unacast study gives the state a “D” for a decrease in mobility and non-essential travel.
The West Virginia National Guard is helping process unemployment claims. More than 90-thousand new claims have been filed in the past two weeks. Crews are working 12-hour days, six days a week to catch up.