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Executive Order Expands as More Counties Report Coronavirus Cases

West Virginia’s request for Title 32 status was approved by President Donald Trump, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow for 100% reimbursement for the West Virginia National Guard’s efforts, which has 540 members on active duty as of Wednesday.

CHARLESTON — In West Virginia, 42 out of 55 counties are reporting confirmed positive coronavirus cases as of Wednesday while Marion County was added to the six counties under stricter social distancing requirements.

According to the Department of Health and Human Resources, 50 new coronavirus cases were confirmed since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 462.

As of Wednesday, 12,545 tests have been conducted by the department lab, hospitals across the state and commercial labs. No deaths have been reported since Monday.

Gov. Jim Justice, speaking Wednesday during his daily COVID-19 briefing from the State Capitol Building, said that even though the increase in total tests was lower Wednesday than what it has been, the percentage of positive cases to total tests was 3.7%.

“Remember, (Tuesday) we were at 3.42%,” Justice said. “The bottom line is we’re still trending in a good way and we need to be able to keep up everything we’re doing and stay the course.”

As of Wednesday, only five counties have more than 30 cases: Kanawha (69), Monongalia (68), Berkeley (66), Jefferson (38) and Marion (30). Justice added Marion County to an executive order issued over the weekend that tightened social distancing requirements in Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Monongalia, Harriso, and Kanawha counties.

“We need to watch very carefully in Marion County and observe all the things we’re already doing in the other six counties,” Justice said.

Residents in the seven counties are required to stay at home except for groceries and supplies and medical needs. Outdoor activity is still allowed, but groups of five or more are prohibited and social distancing of 6 feet is required.

Essential businesses and operations are ordered to have as many employees work at home as possible. Health departments are ordered to develop rules for maximum occupancy in businesses. The West Virginia State Police are empowered to enforce the executive order on behalf of health departments.

Justice said he didn’t see a need to expand the tighter social distancing guidelines statewide since there are still 13 counties with no reported positive coronavirus cases. However, Justice said that all options are on the table if the number of cases begin to spike.

“Everything is as fluid as it can be,” Justice said. “I’m going to first and foremost listen to the experts and take their advice and very well probably decide what they’re recommending for me to do. But at the same time, if we did a blanket all across our state, to me it wouldn’t be as effective as seeing if we have a real problem.”

West Virginia’s request for Title 32 status was approved by President Donald Trump, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow for 100% reimbursement for the West Virginia National Guard’s efforts, which has 540 members on active duty as of Wednesday, helping with food delivery, medical supply logistics, epidemiology assistance to Health and Human Resources and processing unemployment claims for Workforce West Virginia. Title 32 allows the governor to place the Guard on duty for homeland defense.

Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, adjutant general of the National Guard, said the Title 32 status will help the guard expand its role and help more counties.

“What that does is allow for 100% reimbursement of the National Guard personnel for the 31-day set of orders,” Hoyer said. “It provides additional health care, and should a member of the guard be injured it would prevent the use of workers’ compensation and put us under federal status. It’s exceptionally important to our guardsmen on the front lines of this effort.”

Justice said the National Guard needs praise for all its efforts to help families in need, businesses, medical professionals and the unemployed.

“It brings real tears to my eyes, because the Guard is so essential to us,” Justice said. “What they’re doing is unbelievable.”

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