FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WOAY) – Fayette County still only has one case of COVID-19 and the health department wants to keep it that way.
As we all figure out how to tackle this virus together, the Fayette County Health Department is urging all those who have to go out in public to wear a mask.
The CDC recently changed their recommendations that originally said well people who are not direct caregivers should not wear masks.
Fayette County Health Officer Dr. Anita Stewart says we now know more about the virus and its asymptomatic shedding.
“That means people that feel fine could actually be spreading the virus and so we know that 48 hours before the onset of symptoms people are shedding virus pretty rapidly and that’s a highly infectious time period.”
Dr. Stewart applauded the county for its social distancing efforts, but she had some tips for people still battling the crowds at places like grocery stores.
While the health department has no intention right now of limiting visitors, they are encouraging people to send one person per family in to get groceries, and she encourages that person to be mindful of their distance and to of course wear a mask of any variety.
“If you’re not working directly with patient care, cloth face coverings are absolutely perfect, so that can be a bandana. That can be a cloth face mask that anyone’s made. That can be a scarf, anything like that around the face.”
With Easter Sunday approaching, the health department is also encouraging churches to be creative and safe.
Dr. Stewart says drive-in services are fine as long as windows are up and cars are six feet apart. Online services are also encouraged.
“This is an important holiday. We would hate for people gathering for this religious holiday to cause a spread of COVId here in Fayette County so just be mindful of that and keeping people safe during this time.”
The health department is currently collecting donations of masks for those in quarantine and essential employees.
