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Over the
course of the week, Governor Jim Justice and state health leaders
made several orders and recommendations in the interest in
combatting the emerging health threat of novel coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19).
- On Saturday, March
7, 2020, Gov. Justice and the DHHR announced that, for the
first time, testing for COVID-19 could be performed
in-state by DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health’s lab.
Previously, West Virginia had been submitting tests of
individuals who were considered at significant risk of having
COVID-19 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) for testing.
- On Monday this
week, Mach 9, 2020, Gov. Justice and DHHR Secretary Crouch participated in their latest national
briefing call with Vice President Mike Pence and
officials with the Trump Administration. Gov. Justice and
Secretary Crouch have participated in numerous national
briefings over the past several weeks.
- Also on Monday,
Gov. Justice and the DHHR announced the creation of an information hotline
to address public and medical provider questions and concerns
regarding COVID-19.
- On Wednesday, March
11, 2020, key members of the Justice administration and
other government officials held a press conference to
update members of the media and the public on the State’s
ongoing efforts to monitor COVID-19
and to prepare for its potential future spread.
- On Thursday, March
12, 2020, Gov. Justice and state officials held a press
briefing announcing that he had issued a State employee travel ban on
both out-of-state and international travel for State business.
He also asked all West Virginians to reconsider non-essential
out-of-state travel for personal business. Additionally, Gov.
Justice directed all State government offices to avoid holding
any large meetings or gatherings and announced the
cancellation of the state high school basketball tournaments.
- On Friday, March
13, 2020, Gov. Justice announced that due to the emerging
health threat posed by COVID-19, he has ordered the closure of all
pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade schools in West
Virginia.
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There are
currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in West Virginia. However,
it’s anticipated that the disease will be confirmed in the state in
the near future.
Beginning this afternoon and continuing for the foreseeable future,
the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources will
provide daily updates on the number of COVID-19 tests and any
potential future cases. That information, along with additional
alerts and updates, will also be readily available online at coronavirus.wv.gov.
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On
Saturday, Gov. Justice congratulated members of the Legislature for
passing their budget which contained all of the elements of the
Governor's Family-First Initiative, including funding for
foster families, eliminating the IDD waiver waitlist, providing
food for hungry children and seniors, and much more.
Gov. Justice also released a statement on the budget and the
conclusion of the legislative session.
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Gov. Jim
Justice hosted a ceremonial event Thursday in Charleston, signing
into law a bill designed to attract major economic development
projects and bring countless jobs into the state. HB 4001
creates the West Virginia Impact Fund. This fund will allow the
State to serve as an official partner in investment deals. The
funds would not come from taxpayer dollars. Finances would come
from corporations, private investors, or other sovereign investment
funds.
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Gov.
Justice announced on Friday that the State of West Virginia has
been awarded $1,084,875 in grant funding from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) to reduce major flood risk impacting
Rainelle, due to the water flow in the creeks or the Meadow River
in Greenbrier County. This grant funding is in response to the
June 2016 Presidential Major Disaster Declaration and is part of
the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The purpose of HMGP is
to enact mitigation measures reducing the risk of loss of life and
property from future disasters.
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This week,
the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources highlighted the
Trout in the Classroom program. This is a national program through
Trout Unlimited that allows West Virginia students to raise
fish that will eventually be released into local waterways.
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Last
Friday, First Lady Cathy Justice visited Wyoming County to read to
students as part of Literacy Week. The First Lady joined Wyoming
County Superintendent Diedre Cline at Pineville Elementary to read
a children's book to first-grade students in the library.
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The West
Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) recognized 104 educators
Tuesday night as part of this year’s National Board Certification
(NBC) Recognition Celebration at the West Virginia Culture Center.
The honorees represent the 51 new National Board Certified Teachers
(NBCTs) as well as the 53 educators who successfully renewed their
certification last year. National Board Certification is the
gold-standard credential for educators in the United
States. The rigorous process, which can take three years to
complete, includes four components: content knowledge;
differentiation in instruction; teaching practice and learning environment;
and effective/reflective practice.
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On Monday
evening, the Department of Education hosted the 77th annual FFA
Ham, Bacon and Eggs Show and Sale at the State Capitol Complex. The
event consists of hams, bacon entries, and eggs that the FFA
students have raised, prepared and cured as part of their
educational and agricultural experiences in their counties. The
students showed their products during the day and the items were
auctioned that evening. All proceeds benefited the winners
directly.
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Last
Friday, the Department of Education participated in Career and
Technical Education Day at the West Virginia Legislature. CTE
students from all over the state showed off their talents to
legislators and Capitol visitors. These students will graduate high
school ready to join West Virginia's skilled workforce.
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In this
week's episode of WVDOT
in Motion, the Department of Transportation spotlighted
progress made on the I-70 Bridges project in Wheeling and discussed
the continued work expected in the coming months. As part of
the Governor’s Roads to Prosperity program, rehabilitation work on
25 bridges along I-70 will be completed over the
next three years. It’s important for drivers to pay attention
and be patient as work continues in the area.
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On
Thursday, the Department of Environmental Protection's Environment Matters
highlighted the story of several homes in Bridgeport that were
saved from an abandoned mine landslide. The work was done by the
DEP's Office of Abandoned Mine Lands.
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West
Virginia Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Russell Crane, Assistant
Adjutant General of the WV National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj.
James Jones, State Command Sergeant Major of the WV National Guard,
hosted a Reenlistment and Retirement Ceremony at Camp Dawson on
Saturday. During the ceremony, 24 current members of the WVARNG
reenlisted. The ceremony consisted of reenlistments, a flag folding
ceremony and the honoring of the retirees and their
families. Eleven military members were honored for their
service to country and state, along with their families and their
service of support.
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