The Belpre Senior Citizen Center has been closed in a step to protect the area’s senior population. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — Officials who work with seniors in Wood and Washington counties are taking steps to protect the area’s senior population as the nation takes steps to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Seniors with pre-existing conditions and other ailments are more susceptible to the respiratory effects of the virus, which has caused the deaths of around 100 people nationwide, many of whom were senior citizens. Confirmed cases are at around 5,300 nationwide. Many areas are urging seniors to stay at home and avoid going out if possible to limit their possible exposure to the virus.

Officials with the Wood County Seniors Association in Parkersburg and the O’Neill Center in Marietta have been getting seniors prepared to stay at home by coordinating home delivered meals and other services.

”We have a lot going on,” said Kelly Goedel, executive director of the Wood County Senior Citizens Association.

They began meeting with seniors last week to tell them what was happening, handing out important information and to get them to think about staying at home for the foreseeable future.

”We are encouraging them not to come to the center,” Goedel said.

They are warning people of the possible risks involved for those who have diabetes, heart problems and other ailments that put them in the high risk category.

The center on Green Street has remained open during the lunch time hour so if seniors come in, officials can talk to them about the risks and get them moved over to having home delivered meals.

They were doing 180-185 home delivered meals. Over the last couple of days, they have added 25-30 home delivered meals.

”The population we serve is the most at risk,” Goedel said. ”We are working at getting them to shelter at home.”

With moving people to home delivered meals, the center is also exploring the possibility of eventually doing grocery delivery where people would order groceries and prescriptions and someone would pick them up so seniors would not face additional risks.

They are streamlining their transportation program to do essential medical appointments, such as kidney dialysis and cancer treatments. If people have an appointment, they are urged to contact their doctor to see if the appointment is absolutely necessary. All of the group activities at the center are being discontinued until further notice.

Connie Huntsman, executive director for the O’Neill Center, said the location in Marietta and the Belpre Seniors Center activated their pandemic contingency plan last week.

”The O’Neill Center and Belpre Senior Center remain closed to the public, yet the employees are working in our communities to meet the needs of the senior population during this crisis,” Huntsman said.

Activities will remain closed until further notice, and the adult daycare center and homemaker services have been suspended, she said.

”We will continue to follow the guidelines of the CDC and local health department officials to determine how to adjust our offerings and at what point to resume,” Huntsman said.

Congregate meal sites have discontinued in the building but parking lot “Grab ‘n Go” meals are being offered at congregate sites, she said.

Home delivered meals are continuing and being offered by Community Action. Officials with Community Action could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

They are creating Blizzard Bags which will include exercises, well being activities and recipes they can do with many common food items many people have in their homes, Huntsman said.

Officials in Wood and Washington counties said they are working on ways to safely conduct wellness checks for seniors who will be homebound.

The West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services Tuesday received new guidance and policy related to funds from the Administration on Community Living, according to a press release issued through the governor’s office. All senior providers have emergency plans for operations.

New federal policies will allow the use of Federal Title funds to address the priority nutritional needs of seniors.

Home-delivered meals will continue and arrangements are being made for congregate meal recipients to continue to receive meals. Shelf stable and emergency meals are being provided to current meal recipients.

In-home services also will continue. Some variance in the schedule may occur. Providers are required to maintain contact with homebound and nutrition participants.

Seniors can call their senior center for information.

Kitchens will remain open to continue to provide services, hot meals and some shelf stable meals.

Seniors are encouraged to follow state and federal guidance if they are at risk.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention, call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-877-4304, go to coronavirus.wv.gov or cdc.gov/coronavirus.