Threat Preparedness News and Alerts
Trick-or-Treating During COVID-19
Following are some guidelines that we recommend members of our community follow. Please keep in mind that pursuant to an Executive Order issued by the Governor, indoor and outdoor social gatherings are limited to no more than 25 people when our county is green or yellow on the County Alert Map. If Jefferson County is gold, orange or red on the County Alert Map, social gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in trick-or-treating and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Trick-Or-Treating
- Limit trick-or-treating activities to October 31st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in order to limit crowd sizes (if communities host trick-or-treating at different dates or times crowds are likely to be larger because trick-or-treaters can go to more than one location)
- Wear appropriate face coverings that cover the mouth and nose to limit exposure to COVID-19 while trick-or-treating
- Create one-way trick-or-treating if possible
- Provide individually wrapped goodie bags and line them up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard)
- If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.
- If you choose to hand out candy, go to the end of the driveway (this prevents crowding in a smaller space such as a walkway or porch) and place a barrier between yourself and trick-or-treaters (i.e. a table) and have individually wrapped candy in a large container or lined up on a table for the parent or child to grab and go
- If you choose to hand out candy at your door instead of the end of the driveway, sit in front of the door/porch/house instead of having children knock or ring the doorbell and try to place a barrier between yourself and trick-or-treaters (i.e. table) to reduce contact and allow for social distancing
- Carry hand sanitizer with you while trick-or-treating so you can sanitize your hands before touching your face or eating candy
- If going door-to-door instead of driveway to driveway, wait at the end of the driveway for other children at the door to exit before approaching in order to allow for social distancing
For further guidance on Halloween related activities go to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween
Download a printable version of these guidelines below:
Trick-Or-Treating During COVID-19
RABIES ALERT – Kearneysville
This is a public health notification that the Jefferson County (WV) Health Department has issued a Rabies Alert for the South Childs Road area of Kearneysville.
The WV Office of Laboratory Services notified our office (JCHD) on July 14th, 2020 of a “POSITIVE” test result for the rabies virus from a – RACCOON – submitted by us, from the above area.
If you believe that you or someone else had contact with this animal, please call the Jefferson County Health Department at (304) 728-8416 ext. 3037
All Citizens are also being reminded to make sure your animals are currently vaccinated against rabies and to avoid contact with wildlife!
Do not Feed or Approach Wildlife, including feral cats.
Free COVID-19 Testing July 17-18
Cloth Face Coverings
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has given us cloth face coverings to distribute in our community. They are 100% cotton and measure 6.5″ by 4.5″ (minus the ear loops). If you would like a few for yourself or your family, stop by the health department anytime and help yourself to the ones on the table in our vestibule. If you’re representing a local business or community organization and would like a larger amount, please email JeffersonLHD@wv.gov with “Cloth Masks” in the subject line.
Because anyone could be an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19, it is very important that everyone use a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth in public places, especially indoors. These cloth masks are an important public health tool, but do NOT replace social distancing and frequent handwashing.
Stay safe and healthy Jefferson County!
Free COVID-19 Testing May 29&30
This Friday and Saturday, May 29 & 30, we will be offering free COVID-19 testing from 9:00AM – 4:00PM. Whether you’ve been feeling unwell, are required to have a test for work, or you just want to be tested for your own awareness, all are welcome! No appointment or insurance needed, just bring your driver’s license or other proof of address. Since the weather forecast doesn’t look too friendly, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has generously allowed us to use their parking garage as the testing location — we will be able to operate rain or shine!
West Virginia Strong – The Comeback – Week 4 Guidance
Jefferson County’s COVID-19 Task Force, a group made up of representatives from the county, municipalities and community stakeholders, has been meeting twice weekly to review and interpret guidance received from the governor’s office. The documents below should help answer many questions about businesses that are permitted to re-open.
Free COVID-19 Testing
Our staff will be at Asbury United Methodist Church tomorrow and Saturday along with the WV National Guard to do drive-through COVID-19 testing from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. More information at coronavirus.wv.gov
COVID-19, Reopening, and Hotspots
Currently, both the Safer at Home Order and WV Executive Order No. 20-20 are in effect in Jefferson County. After seeking clarification from the Governor’s office, we have determined the following:
- The reopening of Jefferson County businesses per the Safer at Home Order is allowed.
- The 5 person limitation applies to any public or private social gatherings and while engaging in outdoor activities.
- The Board of Health may still issue further orders in the interest of protecting public health.
We anticipate further guidance will be coming from the governor’s office but are unsure when. Thank you all for your patience while we work to answer your questions and concerns.
WV Safer at Home Order
Yesterday Governor Justice announced beginning May 4, 2020, West Virginia’s Stay At Home Order will be lifted and will be replaced by a new “Safer At Home” Order. Because Jefferson County is one of the 11 counties still considered to be hot spots, we are awaiting further guidance on whether we will be able to loosen social distancing and other regulations in the same way as the rest of the state. The governor’s office has said guidelines for hot spot counties will be released this weekend, and we will update our website and Facebook page as soon as possible.
For more information and to view the full order, click here: https://governor.wv.gov/News/press-releases/2020/Pages/COVID-19-UPDATE-Gov.-Justice-announces-%E2%80%9CSafer-At-Home%E2%80%9D-order-to-replace-%E2%80%9CStay-At-Home%E2%80%9D-order.aspx
Reopening Childcare Centers
If you are a currently permitted child care or licensed home day care and would like to reopen you must first contact the Bureau for Children and Families and apply to open as a Critical Care Center. Once you have done that and BCF notifies our office you are pending approval as a Critical Care Site then you must complete forms SG-101 and SG-101 A (download below) and return those forms to our office via e-mail at gillian.r.beach@wv.gov or fax at 304-728-3314.
Prior to re-opening you are strongly encouraged have all of your childcare workers tested for COVID-19. They may contact their primary care physician or follow these instructions in order to get tested:
WVU will be offering testing to child care workers. They must call the hotline (304) 596-2890 prior to going to the tent outside Berkeley Medical Center to have an order placed. They will need to create a mychart account to get their results and to be able to show their employer results. The staff at the tent will provide them with instructions on how to create this account.
After the employees receive their results, the owner or manager should report them to our office. Once you have complied with all of the above, you will be approved to reopen. Further questions can be directed to Gillian Beach at (304) 728-8416 ext 3033 or at the e-mail listed above.