Tag: Coronavirus

‘Fear Is Not Going To Be Constructive Here’ — Governor Urges Preparation, Not Panic

Only a handful of states have no reported coronavirus cases to date, one of which is West Virginia. Gov. Jim Justice held a press conference Thursday to talk about the state’s plan to prepare. 

Although a coronavirus case has not been diagnosed in West Virginia, state officials said it’s likely only a matter of time. All bordering states have cases. 

Gov. Justice instructed all state agencies to avoid holding large gatherings and issued a travel ban. 

“Today I’m issuing a state employee travel ban for both out of state and international travel for our state businesses,” he said.

He also urged all West Virginians to reconsider nonessential travel out of state or internationally, citing particular concern for the state’s elderly population. Older adults and those with preexisting health conditions have been hit hardest by coronavirus internationally. 

Justice also asked nursing homes to severely restrict visitors except in the case of serious illness or end of life circumstances and suspended the state’s high school basketball tournaments.

The panel of experts called these measures “preventative.” 

“The risk today in West Virginia is not dramatically different than the risk yesterday,” said commissioner for public health, Dr. Kathy Slemp.

“With all these interventions we know they make a difference if you do them early rather than later so we know they’re disruptive, they’re awful, we hate to have to make these decisions. The challenge is if you wait too long to make them we have the disruptions but not the benefit. If we do them early, we maximize the benefit so it’s a better balance.” 

When pressed, the Governor acknowledged concerns about the various cancellations and closures impact on the state’s economy, pointing to market nosedives happening at the federal level.  But said keeping West Virginians safe was of the utmost importance. 

When asked about the state’s capacity for testing, Slemp was vague on the exact  number of tests the state could perform a day — saying prevention is not about testing. 

“It’s about all of us at this point taking all the measures we can do to reduce our own risk, to protect our families and to protect especially our elderly so it really is about how we work together as communities to get the job done,” she said. 

Speaking to her after the conference, she said from a public health perspective, it’s more important for those with mild symptoms that can be managed at home to do that rather than going out in public and potentially infecting other people. Additionally, if the disease were to hit West Virginia hard, hospital capacity is always a concern, especially in light of recent hospital closures and the ongoing demands on hospitals already, such as managing the opioid epidemic and chronic diseases.

Despite these preventative measures, Justice said although West Virginia is preparing for the virus, panic is not necessary. Live your life he said, wash your hands and stay home if you aren’t feeling well. 

 

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from Marshall Health and Charleston Area Medical Center.

Mountain Stage Shows Canceled for March

Due to public health concerns regarding COVID-19, our live Mountain Stage shows scheduled for March will be canceled. We will work to reschedule the artists as soon as we can.

If you purchased tickets for our March 15 or March 22 shows at Taylor Books, they are prepared to issue refunds at your point of purchase. If you purchased tickets online through Eventbrite, Mountain Stage’s ticketing service, you can email live@mountainstage.org to request a refund. Refunds will be honored through March 30.

West Virginia University has canceled all on-campus events, including our Mountain Stage show at the Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, scheduled for March 29. Tickets for the WVU show will automatically be refunded by the point of purchase. Should you have any questions regarding this process, please call 304-293-SHOW (7469).

We encourage everyone to stay informed. West Virginia Public Broadcasting has a landing page with helpful links to local and federal resources regarding COVID-19. 

We encourage you to support your favorite artists by purchasing music or merchandise to help make up for lost revenue in this unprecedented time of uncertainty.

Stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for fresh news, and some welcome distractions… like this Tyler Childers segment that just went up at NPR Music!

Concord To Extend Spring Break To Curtail Potential COVID-19

Concord University has announced it will extend its current spring break by a week, until March 20, to curtail the potential spread of coronavirus, or…

Concord University has announced it will extend its current spring break by a week, until March 20, to curtail the potential spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19, coming on the tail end of Marshall University’s and West Virginia University’s similar announcements. 

Concord University’s President Kendra Boggess said in an online annoucement that the school will evaluate and release any additional actions by March 19. She added that students with extenuating circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis regarding on-campus housing accomodations. 

According to the announcement, faculty and staff will report to work as scheduled upon returning from spring break, March 16. Throughout the week trainings will be held that “may or may not become neccessary for continuing university operations during the remainder of the semester.” 

All unversity sanctioned travel is cancelled for the foreseeable future, with campus events cancelled next week. 

This comes after Marshall University announced earlier in the day that in-person classes will be suspended from March 16 to 20. The week is followed by spring break, with classes transitionig to remote learning beginning March 30. 

Additionally, WVU announced Tuesday evening it will suspend in-person classes the week following its spring break, and resume classes remotley starting March 30. 

 

Ohio Valley Colleges And Universities Respond To Coronavirus Threat

Updated on Mar. 12, 2020 at 4:33 p.m.College administrators around the region are weighing their options as the coronavirus makes the lectures, events and…

Updated on Mar. 12, 2020 at 4:33 p.m.

College administrators around the region are weighing their options as the coronavirus makes the lectures, events and dormitories of campus life potential means of transmission of the highly infectious virus. A few schools in the region have opted to suspend in-person classes in favor of remote participation, and as of Tuesday one Kentucky college had cancelled the rest of its spring semester as a precaution. 

The Ohio Valley ReSource and its partner stations will update this story as more information about area colleges and universities becomes available.

Kentucky

Administrators at Berea College in Kentucky opted to cease instructional activities at the end of the week. In a statement on the school’s website President Lyle Roelofs said that after careful analysis the school has concluded “that it will not be possible to adequately assure student and employee safety in the circumstance of a case of COVID-19 occurring on campus.”

The University of Louisville announced Wednesday that it is extending spring break through March 17. Starting Wednesday, March 18, through April 5 all classes will be delivered remotely.

The University of Kentucky announced Wednesday that it will remain open, but instruction will continue through online or other alternatives from March 23 through April 3.

Bellarmine University announced Wednesday that face-to-face classes and activities are suspended from Thursday, March 12, until Wednesday, March 18, when courses will resume online or electronically. The administration anticipates students returning to classrooms on April 1, but that is subject to change.

Western Kentucky University announced Wednesday it will extend spring break through March 22. Beginning March 23, WKU will transition away from face-to-face classrooms through April 5.

Wednesday evening Murray State University announced that following the school’s spring break next week instruction will be done through online or alternative delivery methods, but not through face-to-face instruction, from Monday March 23 through Sunday, April 5.

On Wednesday Eastern Kentucky University announced that students should not return after spring break. Beginning Monday, March 23, all courses will be delivered remotely, either online or through other established alternative learning options.

On Wednesday Spalding University announced that effective Monday, March 16, the university will move all face-to-face classes online. Face-to-face classes are scheduled to resume on April 6, 2020 but this date is subject to change.

Ohio

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency Monday after confirming three cases of the virus in Cuyahoga County. DeWine recommended all Ohio universities suspend in-person classes and move to online instruction.

Late Tuesday Ohio University announced it is suspending in-person instruction on all campuses and locations until at least March 30. President Duane Nellis said Tuesday in an email that the university is moving to virtual instruction, effective immediately. Ohio U. students are on spring break and Nellis said that students who traveled home over spring break are encouraged to stay at home, and those who were traveling should not return to campus.

Nellis said in his email that university officials understand “the disruptive nature of these measures but believe it is essential to safeguard the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff while continuing to fulfill our educational mission.”

Elsewhere in Ohio, other colleges and universities were taking similar measures Tuesday. 

The Ohio State University announced that it will suspend face-to-face instruction in lectures, discussion sections, other classroom settings and move to virtual instruction through at least Monday, March 30.

Kent State University announced “we will cease face-to-face classes through April 12. Remote instruction will begin March 16.”

Xavier University announced that beginning Monday March 16 it will move to a remote learning format for all courses.

The University of Cincinnati will suspend face-to-face instruction and move to remote instruction at the end of the week. Face-to-face instruction will resume Monday, April 13, 2020.

Miami University of Ohio announced that beginning March 11 its campuses are suspending all face-to-face instruction. Courses will be delivered by remote instruction through at least April 12.

West Virginia

Tuesday night West Virginia University President Gordon Gee announced that the school will suspend classes the week of March 23-27, following spring break. Beginning Monday, March 30, classes will be delivered remotely.

“The heart of the university experience is the exchange of ideas that occur in our classrooms and on our campuses every day,” Gee said in a statement. “We are disrupting this process only in an effort to keep our WVU community safe.”

On Wednesday Marshall University announced a plan to shift to distance learning. Marshall will suspend in-person classes from March 16 – 20. After the school’s spring break the following week, all instruction will be delivered in a manner other than face-to-face classroom settings.

On Wednesday Fairmont State University extended spring break through March 20 for those classes that meet in person. Courses will transition to online-only beginning Monday, March 16 until further notice.

Concord University also announced it will extend its current spring break by a week, until March 20, to curtail the potential spread of coronavirus.

Shepherd University extended spring break for a second week (March 23 through 27) for students but delayed any decision on suspending face-to-face instruction.

West Virginia State University extended its spring break through Tuesday, March 24, with classes resuming Wednesday, March 25. During the week of spring break, campus will be closed to all but essential personnel, and staff are being directed to work from home. Classes will resume normally on March 25, however, students feeling ill are advised not to attend class and coordinate with their instructors to complete course work remotely.

West Liberty University also announced Thursday its current spring break will be extended until March 20 for in-person classes.

Michelle Rotuno-Johnson and Aaron Payne at ReSource member station WOUB contributed to this report.

 

WVU Suspends Classes, Moves Courses Online Due To Coronavirus Threat

This is a developing story and may be updated.

West Virginia University has announced it will soon suspend in-person classes due to the threat of coronavirus.

In an announcement issued late Tuesday, WVU officials say they are suspending classes during the week of March 23rd through the 27th. Beginning March 30th, class instruction will be delivered online. 

University-related travel — both internationally and domestically — has also been suspended, but officials say the Morgantown campus will remain open.

Students wishing to stay on campus during next week’s spring break and beyond are being asked to register with the university.

In a letter to the university community, WVU president Gordon Gee said the “highest priority” is the safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff and the community.

“An administrative team, along with local and state health officials, has been working diligently to identify ways to keep our campuses safe, as well as sharing precautionary measures individuals could take,” Gee wrote. “Although there are currently no reported cases in West Virginia, the University takes seriously its responsibility to protect our campuses during this uncertain time.”

As of Tuesday, state health officials have reported no cases of the coronavirus. 

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources says five residents have been tested for COVID-19 — three were negative and the other two are pending results. 

W.Va. Gov Urges People To 'Live Our Lives' Amid Virus Concerns

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice urged state residents Wednesday to “live our lives” despite the emerging threat of the new coronavirus.

Justice held a news briefing along with Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Crouch at the Capitol to discuss steps West Virginia is taking and to give common-sense advice on how people should protect themselves.

There are no known cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 thus far in West Virginia. On Wednesday, Washington state reported a 10th death while California announced its first.

The briefing came after Justice held a private roundtable with administration and medical officials. The purpose of the meeting was to make “absolutely certain that we’re ready, God forbid, if we do have a situation here in West Virginia,” Justice said. “We’re trying to do exactly what our jobs are. And that is, to always never have a surprise.

“There’s a situation worldwide, and we want to be diligent with what we do.”

Crouch said the risk that the virus will arrive in West Virginia is low, especially due to the very small number of international travelers coming to the state. But he predicts most states will see such cases “the way it’s moving.”

Justice said residents should not cancel travel plans.

“That’s not necessary,” he said. “We have to live our lives. We’ve got all the horsepower that’s on top of this to the very best of all of our abilities. We don’t know if a meteorite’s not going to hit us tomorrow. We’ve got to live our lives.”

Earlier Wednesday, West Virginia University issued an advisory to its campus community ahead of spring break, which is scheduled from March 14 to March 22. Dean of Students Corey Farris said in a statement that many students, faculty and staff will be traveling to a variety of locations, including where there are large crowds.

The university earlier this week canceled all scheduled university-sponsored trips abroad, affecting 217 students. The College of Creative Arts previously called off a student symphony’s planned trip to China.

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