West Virginia Week in Review – July 4, 2020 – West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice announced that, despite the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the economy, he and his administration have delivered another historic revenue surplus in West Virginia for Fiscal Year 2020.

That, in itself, may be the biggest accomplishment that weve ever pulled off, Gov. Justice said. For us to run across the finish line with a surplus, in the year of the God-awfullest pandemic of our lifetimes, its an absolute miracle.

After setting the all-time state record for revenue growth in the previous fiscal year, those surpluses were built into initial budget estimates for FY2020.

We were tracking right along with our best numbers ever and then, all of a sudden, this pandemic hit, Gov. Justice said. By April, I was told by our revenue experts that we were going to be $525 million short.

Of course, I never really fell into that because I knew that West Virginia really never shut down completely, Gov. Justice continued. All of the sudden, the numbers started looking a little bit better and better.

Working alongside state revenue experts to utilize money from reserve accounts, and with the federal governments move to raise the reimbursement rate on Medicaid, Gov. Justice and his administration were able to turn a shortfall of $255.8 million into another historic surplus for West Virginia, with the reserve funds used being replenished.

Today, Gov. Jim Justice released a video message wishing a Happy Independence Dayto all West Virginians.

Cathy and I want to wish you an absolutely terrific Fourth. We hope that youre going to go out and enjoy this beautiful state in some way or another. Please visit one of our State Parks and enjoy time with your family. What an incredible holiday this is our nations birthday. The day that so many gave so much so that we could have what we have right here in this incredible country our freedom."

Earlier in the week,Gov. Justice also warned West Virginians against participating in risky behavior during their holiday celebrations.

The Governor urged residents to wear a mask whenever in groups and warned high-risk individuals to avoid large crowds as much as possible. Gov. Justice is also recommending that those traveling out-of-state self-monitor and get tested upon returning to West Virginia.

With a resurgence of COVID-19 cases being seen in other states across the country in recent days, Gov. Justice urged all West Virginians on Thursday to remain on high alert and to be prepared for additional safety measures to be put in place to safeguard residents.

If, God forbid, this virus comes back at us, we need to be able to stop it, and one of the ways we can stop it is by wearing masks, Gov. Justice continued. And so, I want everyone to know that I am very, very seriously considering that, at the beginning of next week, we may very well have to go to mandatory masks inside buildings, other than your homes, where you are not able to social distance."

Gov. Justice added that he will consult with state health experts and members of his administration, looking at additional case numbers over the weekend before making a final decision. The Governor urged residents to wear a mask whenever in groups and warned high-risk individuals to avoid large crowds as much as possible. Gov. Justice is also recommending that those traveling out-of-state self-monitor and get tested upon returning to West Virginia.

An investigation, ordered by Gov. Justice last week after the number of active COVID-19 cases in Randolph County were found to be much lower than shown on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources COVID-19 dashboard, has found that the DHHR electronic case surveillance system was not updated with recovered case data from the local health departments and that DHHR did not follow up with local health departments to routinely verify recovered cases of COVID-19.

Recovered cases are determined by the local health departments as they follow individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The error in the numbers of recovered individuals on the COVID-19 dashboard was discovered by the West Virginia National Guard which contacted the Randolph County Health Department to verify the numbers. These cases, which had not been entered into the electronic case surveillance system as recovered, were cases from the Huttonsville Correctional Facility outbreak several weeks ago.

This week, DHHRs Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services and the West Virginia National Guard contacted each local health department to verify the numbers and have compared them to those in the electronic case surveillance system which is updated to the COVID-19 dashboard.

Gov. Justice reminded West Virginians that another round of reopenings officially went into effect Wednesday as part of the Governors West Virginia Strong The Comeback plan to restart the states economy.

Provided that all safety guidelines are being properly followed, approved activity reopenings on Wednesday, July 1, include:

Click here to view safety guidelines

As part of Gov. Justices initiative to increase COVID-19 testing opportunities, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources announced locations for testing on July 10 and 11, 2020. Free COVID-19 testing will be held in Marshall, Mercer, Monongalia, Preston, and Wayne counties with support from local health departments and state and community partners at the following times and locations. Marshall County July 10, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. McMechen City Hall 325 Logan Street McMechen, WV July 11, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Marshall County Health Department 513 6th Street Moundsville, WV Mercer County July 11, 9:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Mercer County Health Department 978 Blue Prince Road Bluefield, WV Monongalia County July 10, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Morgantown Farmers Market (Downtown) 400 Spruce Street Morgantown, WV July 11, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. 661 Green Bag Road Morgantown, WV Preston County July 10 and 11, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Kingwood Elementary School 207 S. Price Street Kingwood, WV Wayne County July 10, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Dunlow Community Center 1475 Left Fork Dunlow Bypass Road Dunlow, WV July 11, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Wayne Elementary School 80 McGinnis Drive Wayne, WV Attendees should bring identification, such as a drivers license or proof of address, to help in returning test results. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The testing is free and available to all residents in selected counties, including asymptomatic individuals.

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West Virginia Week in Review - July 4, 2020 - West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources