WVU-P shifts to online classes as Wood County tops 900 cases
PARKERSBURG — West Virginia University at Parkersburg will shift much of its instruction fully online starting Tuesday in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The decision comes as Wood County climbs toward 900 active cases of the virus and most area counties are classified as red, representing the highest level of spread on West Virginia’s County Alert System map.
Remote work assignments are being implemented for more WVU-P employees in an effort to minimize the number of people on campus, according to a statement from college President Chris Gilmer.
“While most of WVU-P’s students and many of our employees are young, and while the rate of severe illness and death is significantly lower for young people without co-occurring health problems, we are seeing serious illness and death even among young and healthy people,” Gilmer said. “Young and healthy people can actively spread the disease among themselves and to older and more vulnerable colleagues, family members and the public.”
Faculty members will be able to use Zoom rooms and other campus-based tools for instruction, and may still meet with individual students and very small groups of students on campus.
Students will be able to come to the campus to use computer labs, internet, counseling services and other needed services. Some limited exceptions will be made to allow face-to-face instruction in technical programs and labs for which there are not viable online alternatives.
According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ daily coronavirus update, the number of active cases in Wood County rose from 799 Thursday to 863 Friday.
Double-digit increases were also recorded in Calhoun, 148 (118); Doddridge, 78 (54); Jackson, 179 (157); Ritchie, 103 (89); and Wetzel, 338 (326), counties.
Other area county totals (previous day) were Gilmer, 45 (42); Pleasants, 80 (72); Roane, 140 (140); Tyler, 182 (174); and Wirt, 58 (49).
The DHHR reported seven additional deaths since Thursday’s update. They ranged in age from a 36-year-old Marshall County woman to a 101-year-old Braxton County woman.
“Today’s news of additional losses is a heartbreaking reminder of the threat this virus presents,” DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch said. “Vaccines are safe and effective, and if you are eligible, please do your part to end the pandemic by scheduling a COVID vaccine.”