Trending
PARKERSBURG -- The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Wood County rose to eight Friday.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department announced three more confirmed cases in a release Friday afternoon. The department said its response team will contact people who may have had close personal contact with the individuals -- including family, friends and health care professionals - to assess them, provide guidance and monitor for any signs or symptoms of the disease.
Asked if any information could be provided about whether any of the individuals were connected to each other or if it was known how they contracted the virus, Rebecca Eaton, director of clinical services for the department, said it is best not to give additional information so the individuals' privacy won't be jeopardized.
In the release, the department emphasized that anyone who has been tested for COVID-19 should self-quarantine until they get results to avoid potentially spreading the illness.
People who have been in contact with someone who tested positive should stay home, monitor their temperature twice a day and report any coughing, wheezing, sneezing or shortness of breath to their health care provider, the release says. The health care provider will determine whether the individual should be tested.
Everyone should stay at home as much as they can. If an individual must go out, the release says, he or she should use every precaution -- "physical distancing of at least six feet away when standing in line for groceries and takeout, washing hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds and being aware of surfaces that may have germs.
"It is important to realize that some people may be contagious and spread the virus several days before they have other symptoms," it says.
Across the river in Washington County, the number of confirmed cases remained steady at four.
The Memorial Health System announced Friday it had opened a dedicated inpatient unit for confirmed COVID-19 patients and those with pending test results on the fourth floor at Marietta Memorial Hospital.
"This will help us keep our patients, our staff and our employees safe," said Dr. Dan Breece, vice president of physician services and chief medical officer, in a video accompanying the system's news release. "This will allow us to keep these patients away from the other patients in the hospital while we continue to deliver care to the patients that live in our community and need us every day."
The unit will be maintained with negative pressure to further reduce the risk of spread, Chief Nurse Executive Paige Smith said in the video.
WVU Medicine Camden Clark has also established an inpatient COVID-19 unit.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.
***
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases County by County
* Calhoun: 0
* Doddridge: 0
* Gilmer: 0
* Jackson: 11
* Pleasants: 1
* Ritchie: 0
* Roane: 2
* Tyler: 0
* Wetzel: 2
* Wirt: 1
* Wood: 8
COVID-19 Update – 4 East Unit Info Video from MyMemorial on Vimeo.