Office of the Governor > News > Press Releases > 2020 Press Releases > COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice allows certain types of music performances to resume with limitations; WV transmission rate nearing nation's best

COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice allows certain types of music performances to resume with limitations; WV transmission rate nearing nation's best

10/5/2020

​CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice joined West Virginia health leaders and other officials today for his latest daily press briefing regarding the State’s COVID-19 response.

CERTAIN TYPES OF MUSIC PERFORMANCES ALLOWED TO RESUME WITH LIMITATIONS During Monday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that he has signed an Executive Order 74-20, allowing outdoor live music performances and certain indoor music performances to resume, provided that all additional guidelines are followed to help keep West Virginians as safe as possible. GUIDANCE DOCUMENT: A Guide to Safely Hosting Live Performances “We’ve been working with our medical experts on these types of performances for awhile,” Gov. Justice said. “For the time being, we are still limiting live performances to outdoors only, with capacity limitations and face coverings required. Our medical experts believe this is still the safest thing to do to keep people safe at these events.” Under the new rules, all outdoor live music performances are permitted to resume. However, crowd sizes must be restricted to 25 percent of the venue’s full capacity or 250 individuals, whichever is less. Additionally, attendees must observe proper social distancing and will also be asked to wear face coverings at all times when social distancing cannot be maintained. Indoor live music performances with in-person crowds remain prohibited at this time. However, indoor performances with no audience physically present, but which are broadcast to a virtual or remote audience, are allowed under the new rules.

WEST VIRGINIA TRANSMISSION RATE NEARING BEST IN NATION Also on Monday, Gov. Justice reported that West Virginia’s statewide rate of COVID-19 transmission – also known as Rt – has continued to improve since last week, reaching 0.86; the 2nd-best such rate of any state in the country. “At one point, we were in the top three in the country, then we fell all the way to dead last,” Gov. Justice said. “It’s amazing how fast this number can move. But we adjusted and made some improvements and we brought it back up from last to the second-best in the country. “Things are getting better,” Gov. Justice said. “But the way this number has moved should be a reminder that we always need to keep our guard up.” Meanwhile, the number of active COVID-19 cases across the state has now reached 4,330. However, the cumulative percent of positive cases is now 2.74 percent, down from 2.77 percent on Friday. West Virginia continues to outperform the national average – as well as the rates of all of its bordering states – in percentage of population tested, percentage of population positive, and percentage of positive test results. Click here to view the latest COVID-19 data

Via: Rt.live - Oct. 5, 2020 @ 4 p.m.

MONDAY MAP UPDATE Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice provided a look at West Virginia’s latest mid-week County Alert System map update, which continues to show significant improvement with Aggressive Testing efforts underway in several regions. Red counties: 0 Orange counties: 3 (Boone, Harrison, Upshur) Gold counties: 7 (Berkeley, Doddridge, Jackson, Kanawha, Mingo, Nicholas, Wayne) Yellow counties: 8 (Barbour, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Putnam, Randolph, Taylor, Wyoming) Green counties: 37 (All others) The map is updated live on the DHHR’s COVID-19 Dashboard (Click "County Alert System" tab) throughout the week for informational purposes and to provide an indication of how each county is trending ahead of each Saturday at 5 p.m.; the time when each county is assigned its official color designation for the next week, which determines the level of scholastic, athletic, and extracurricular activities permitted in each county for that particular week.

AGGRESSIVE TESTING CONTINUES ACROSS STATE Also on Monday, Gov. Justice offered a reminder that additional free testing events are scheduled in the upcoming weeks for several counties all across West Virginia. In each of the counties under the Orange color designation, testing sites will be offered throughout this week. This testing is available to all residents in selected counties, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Attendees should bring identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, to help in returning test results. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Click here to view all locations, dates, times and more details

REVIEW OF LATEST DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SATURDAY MAP UPDATE Additionally Monday, Gov. Justice reviewed this past Saturday’s 5 p.m West Virginia Department of Education color-coded School Alert System map update, which determines the level of scholastic, athletic, and extracurricular activities permitted in each county for the following week. The results of the update on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, were as follows: Red counties: 1 (Upshur) Orange counties: 2 (Boone, Harrison) Gold counties: 6 (Barbour, Berkeley, Doddridge, Jackson, Kanawha, Randolph) Yellow counties: 8 (Grant, Lincoln, Mingo, Nicholas, Putnam, Summers, Wayne, Wyoming) Green counties: 38 (All others) State health leaders who make up the COVID-19 Data Review Panel verified the data to ensure the map was a true indication of the safety level in each county.

OUTBREAK REPORT Also on Monday, Gov. Justice reported that, per the West Virginia Department of Education, there are 16 active outbreaks in public schools across the state. These outbreaks account for 42 confirmed cases, down from 46 on Friday. Click here to view the WVDE’s Current Outbreaks in Schools chart West Virginia is now up to 12 active church-related outbreaks across eight counties: Fayette, Harrison, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Nicholas, Tucker, and Upshur counties. There are now 41 outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state, up from 37 on Friday. Gov. Justice also reported that across the entire Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) system, there are now just four active cases of COVID-19 among inmates. Two of the cases are located within Mount Olive Correctional Complex in Fayette County, one case is located within North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County, and one case is located within South Central Regional Jail in Kanawha County. There are now just seven active cases among DCR employees. Click here to view the latest corrections facility update

NATIONAL PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS WEEK PROCLAMATION Additionally Monday, in honor of the high-quality healthcare provided to West Virginians by physician assistants across the state, Gov. Justice announced that he has issued a proclamation, officially designating Oct. 6, 2020 through Oct. 12, 2020 as National Physician Assistants Week in the Mountain State. “We all know that what our PA’s contribute is unbelievable,” Gov. Justice said. “In a lot of ways, they’re our first line of defense. They do phenomenal work. “It’s an honor for me to be able to honor you for all the goodness that you do,” Gov. Justice continued.

GOVERNOR AGAIN OFFERS PRAYERS FOR PRESIDENT, FIRST LADY TRUMP Once again on Monday, Gov. Justice asked West Virginians everywhere in offering prayers and well-wishes to President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after their COVID-19 diagnosis last week. “It seems like the news that’s coming out is good,” Gov. Justice said. “I surely appreciate you letting me pray with you for our President. The Bible teaches us, in every way, to pray for our leaders. “I’m very, very hopeful for a speedy recovery for both our President and our First Lady,” Gov. Justice continued.

Click here to view photo album​

FLU VACCINE REMINDER Once again Monday, Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks on COVID-19 to remind and encourage all West Virginians to get their flu vaccine. According to health officials, everyone 6 months and older should receive this vaccine.

CITIES/COUNTIES GRANT FUNDING: OVER $132 MILLION HAS NOW BEEN AWARDED Also today, Gov. Justice provided an update on cities and counties throughout West Virginia applying for funds through the federal CARES Act, reporting that more than $132 million has now been awarded all across the state. To date, 191 cities and counties have applied for this grant funding. A web portal is available for city and county government officials to apply. Interested parties can also call the helpline: 1-833-94-GRANT. Each of the recipients of CARES Act funding, along with grant amounts, are now available to view through the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office COVID-19 transparency website.

WEST VIRGINIA REMAINS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN CENSUS RESPONSE RATE; ALL URGED TO PARTICIPATE Once more today, Gov. Justice asked all West Virginians to participate in the 2020 United States Census. West Virginia remains tied atop the national standings with the #1 best Census response rate in the country: 99.9 percent. For perspective, during the last Census in 2010, the state’s final response rate was just 74 percent. Every West Virginian who does not respond to the Census represents a loss of $20,000 in federal funds over the next 10 years for the state and its local communities. The funds can go toward things like healthcare, education, infrastructure, school lunch programs, and more. Be counted in minutes: 2020census.gov.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Click here to view all Executive Orders and other actions taken by Gov. Justice to combat the spread of COVID-19 in West Virginia. For more information about COVID-19 prevention and more, call the State’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or visit Coronavirus.wv.gov.

Contact Information