Morning Briefing
4/9/2020
We are still under the National State of Emergency
Gov. Jim Justice’s “Stay At Home” order, issued on March 23, 2020, is still in effect. It directs all West Virginia residents to stay at home and limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs. Non-essential Businesses and operations must temporarily cease operations.
Cases of COVID 19 in West Virginia
Updated: 4/9/2020- 71 New Reported Cases
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) is the official reporting agency for COVID-19, which in turn provides official case numbers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Medical providers and laboratories are required to report positive test results to DHHR. The data in the daily reports include all known positive cases but underreports the total number of individuals tested as not all laboratories are able to electronically submit negative test results.
Click here to view the list of current testing sites.
Gov. Justice continues to encourage all West Virginians to follow the guidelines presented by President Donald J. Trump to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people.
For more information about COVID-19 prevention and more, call the State’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or visit Coronavirus.wv.gov.
COVID-19 Drive-through testing will be provided Tuesday and Thursday this week in Fayette County. Please contact the Fayette County Health Department at 304-574-1617 if you feel you need to be tested.
The Fayette County Solid Waste Authority Tire Collection event planned for Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Fayetteville Walmart is canceled.
On Thursday, April 9, 2020, various schools in Raleigh County will be offering a drive-through parent pick-up 5-day food package from 11:00 AM -1:00 PM. The List of Schools are below
FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS Multi-meal pick up will be offered every THURSDAY of each week. Each distribution school will be open for multi-meal pick-up every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. through 12 noon. Should parents/guardians have specific questions regarding the Thursday multi-meal pick-up, you are encouraged to email your child’s principal or contact the Central Office for assistance.
Mountain State Centers in Beckley and in Huntington are still open. Under orders from the Governor, the staff is working from home, and are available to assist consumers, people with disabilities, with their needs. People can call to leave a message at the Beckley office at 304-255-0122 or the Huntington office at 304-525-3324.
Governor Justice asks all West Virginians to stay the course – Stay home- stay safe
Dr. Clay Marsh STATE COVID-19 CZAR SAYS STAYING SEPARATED, STAYING AT HOME WILL HAVE ITS GREATEST EFFECT IN WEST VIRGINIA DURING THE NEXT TWO WEEKS “Staying physically separated and staying at home will have its greatest effect in West Virginia during the next eight to 14 days,”
OPTUM EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HELPLINE
Gov. Justice said Optum, a division of UnitedHealth (our PEIA benefits manager), is now offering an Emotional Support helpline that is available to all West Virginians who may be experiencing anxiety or stress due to the COVID-19 crisis. The free service can be reached 24/7 at 866-342-6892.
WV Chamber of Commerce
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with law firms, banks and certified public accountants to help answer questions that businesses have during the COVID-19 crisis. If businesses need guidance from one of these resources, they are encouraged to e-mail forjobs@wvchamber.com with their request. They’re asked to please include the following with their request:
Name
Company
Phone
E-Mail Address
Help Requested (Law Firms, Banks or CPAs)
Once their request is submitted to forjobs@wvchamber.com it will be forwarded to the appropriate source.
SBA COVID-19 Information Webinar for Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s West Virginia District Office and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center will host training on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance, and the Paycheck Protection Program.
Training Schedule:
Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Friday, April 10, 2020 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Monday, April 13, 2020 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 2020 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Click here for more information.
Click here to learn more about filing for unemployment.
The fastest way to file for benefits is online at www.workforcewv.org. A step-by-step guide to filing an initial claim may be found by going to the Unemployment section of WorkForce’s website and then clicking the Claimants tab. Those who do not have internet access, have a disability requiring assistive technology or need further assistance should call 1-800-252-JOBS.
About 64 million households across the nation are receiving a paper questionnaire in the coming days as the U.S. Census Bureau continues to ensure responding to the census is easier than ever. Of the nation’s households, 46.2% have already responded to the 2020 Census. The remaining households will receive a paper questionnaire starting April 8. For more information, visit 2020census.gov.
The 2020 Census is open for self-response online at 2020census.gov, over the phone by calling the number provided in your invitation, or by paper through the mail.