Lewis County Health Director Anita Bertram said Lewis County is now at 75 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 46 of those currently active.
An outbreak at Vanceburg Rehabilitation and Care announced Saturday now accounts for 37 of those reported cases.
Bertram said 22 in-house residents and 15 staff members at the facility have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday evening.
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.
Thirty-nine of the cases have now recovered, Bertram said, leaving 46 active identified cases in the county Monday morning.
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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