CHARLESTON — There are still no confirmed cases of coronavirus in West Virginia, but Gov. Jim Justice announced several major steps Thursday to limit possible spread of the virus, including the postponement of the remainder of the state championship basketball tournaments.

Justice joined officials with the state Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia National Guard for a second briefing on the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

So far, DHHR said eight West Virginians have been tested for the coronavirus, with seven tests coming back negative and one test still pending. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, as of noon Thursday there were 1,215 cases in 43 states and Washington, D.C., with 36 deaths from the respiratory illness that first started to spread from China last December.

“We still don’t have a case in West Virginia…but that doesn’t mean it’s not coming,” Justice said. “We’re prepared because of what we’ve already done, but at this point of time we’re really going to have to follow the lead that’s happening all across our country. As much as we don’t like it and as much of an inconvenience it’s going to cause, we have to follow those leads.”

Justice instituted a ban on out-of-state and international travel by state employees for the next three to four weeks and encouraged West Virginians to reconsider all non-essential travel outside the state. State agencies are to avoid hosting any large meetings or events. The State Purchasing Division has asked to lift all exemptions so state agencies can purchase needed supplies quickly.

As part of Justice’s announcement Thursday, he recommended that nursing homes and assisted living facilities limit visitation except in the event of an end-of-life situation and encouraged West Virginians age 65 and up and those with chronic health issues to avoid contact with large crowds.

“Our elderly could be the most susceptible by far,” Justice said. “Viruses always attack someone…this virus is targeting the elderly. That’s a real problem.”

Justice said the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission was postponing the girls state basketball tournament immediately until further notice, as well as the boys state basketball tournament scheduled for next week and all current games. The girls tournament began Wednesday, with a game between Parkersburg Catholic High School and Tucker County High School going on as Justice spoke to the press Thursday.

Justice, the head coach of the Greenbrier East High School girls basketball team, had a match with Martinsburg High School scheduled Thursday evening.

“All of us know how big and important the state basketball tournament is for all of us,” Justice said. “It’s my job to protect us, to protect all of us and that’s what I’m going to do. I hate it terribly bad, because it’s important to the state of West Virginia, it’s important to the city of Charleston, and it’s important to all those kids, but we have to protect our people first and foremost.”

DHHR is able to do its own testing at no charge, with commercial lab companies coming online with their own testing. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has instructed state health insurance companies to find a way to offer coronavirus testing at minimal cost.

The priority for testing is for those who have recently traveled and have some of the symptoms, and people who have shown severe symptoms. The Public Employees Insurance Agency announced Thursday that it would cover 100 percent of the cost for coronavirus testing, as well as waiving deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance incurred by the visits to in-network doctors for testing.

Justice and DHHR officials said there are still no plans to cancel public school, though Ohio announced Thursday it would extend spring break by three weeks. Justice said that’s still an option, or possibly a suspension of extracurricular activities. Justice said students with chronic health issues should implement individual plans for distance learning.

Dr. Cathy Slemp, the state health officer and commissioner of the Bureau of Public Health, said schools should continue to do deep cleans, instruct students and staff to wash hands, cover their mouths when coughing, not gather in large groups, and limit recesses and activities.

“It’s very important we figure out how to do things in smarter ways right now as we go forward,” Slemp said. “This is where we’re weighing risks and benefits every time. They’re not easy decisions. We wrestle with them. We have to take that a step at a time. There are big issues with closing schools in our state.”

“We should still continue to live our lives as best we can, but we need to be smart,” Justice said. “Even though in this great state we don’t have a single case, that’s not going to be the way it is.”

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com.