Lewis County Health Director Anita Bertram said Lewis County is now at 53 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 25 of those currently active.
An outbreak at Vanceburg Rehabilitation and Care announced Saturday now accounts for 18 of those reported cases.
Bertram said nine in-house residents and nine staff members at the facility have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Sunday evening. (On Saturday the facility reported seven residents and five staff having positive test results.)
She said health department workers are making contact investigations and follow-ups with the latest cases including those at the nursing facility.
Details about the individuals will not be provided because of medical privacy laws.
Bertram said last week she was concerned about the growing number of cases in Lewis County and in March had mentioned her worry about the virus affecting health care workers, nursing facilities and detention centers.
Joe Donchatz, Executive Director of Vanceburg Rehabilitation and Care, said he had learned that a resident of the facility had visited an area hospital and was in contact with a hospital employee that later tested positive.
Donchatz said several residents began exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 last week resulting in COVID testing for all suspected residents and staff.
Bertram continues to urge area residents to practice social distancing, wear masks in public, and wash your hands frequently.
She also suggests that when possible, you should avoid situations where there are groups of people.
She continues to urge those who are sick or have symptoms to stay home and avoid contact with others.
Local coronavirus testing is for anyone age 18 and older and is available by appointment at the Lewis County Health Department four days a week. There is no charge for the test.
Those younger than 18 should consult a physician or call the health department for information about being tested.
Lewis County’s first confirmed case was reported on March 25.
Twenty-seven of the cases are now fully recovered, Bertram said, leaving 25 active identified cases in the county on Sunday.
COVID-19 testing by appointment is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
To make an appointment to be tested, or for more information, call the Lewis County Health Department at 606-796-2632.
Lewis County residents may dial 606-202-8600 for more information on COVID-19. The state hotline is 800-722-5725.
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