WILCOE, W.Va. – The McDowell County Health Department is reporting the county’s twelfth and thirteenth case of COVID-19.
Health Department Officials say that these individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus) contracted it through community spread.
The Health Department Officials continue to work to identify additional individuals who may have had contact with these individuals. *If you are identified as a contact to these or any cases, we will notify you. If you are identified as an official contact by the Health Department, please follow all guidelines given to you. Following these guidelines helps to protect others and helps to stop the spread of the COVID- 19 virus. *
Earlier today, the Health Department released a statement saying a previous positive case was removed from the reported count after the individual tested negatively twice within a 10 day period.
The total number of cases is now 13 in McDowell County, 7 active and 6 recovered.
To protect the privacy of the individuals, no further information about these cases will be released. McDowell County Health Department will continue to keep the public informed by announcing any additional cases that may arise through local media partners.
Coronavirus symptoms could include fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, nasal congestion, decrease in smell and or taste. And remember to practice social distancing, wear a face covering, avoid large crowds, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. As well as avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
If an individual is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, they can call Tug River Health Association’s hotline at (304) 448-2300 between the hours of 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday. This line is being operated by a nurse who will ask screening questions to determine if you need testing. Or you may also contact the following numbers: Welch Community Hospital at (304)-436-8659 from 9am to 9pm or (304)-436-8630 outside of those times to inquire about the possibility of being tested; as well as, Bradshaw Medical at (304)-967-5034 and Yukon Medical at (304)-875-2302.
If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and inform the dispatcher that you have symptoms of COVID-19.