MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Monongalia County has reported the highest number of active coronavirus cases with 365, according to health department officials. County health officer, Dr. Lee Smith says the number of cases has tripled since the first day of July.
On Talkline, Smith said the cases are being tied to bars, restaurants and travel, but primarily bars.
“We’ve had about 70 people of those who have just been at a couple of bars,” Dr. Smith said,”Then we’ve had a couple restaurants where the staff has been infected, patrons have been infected and owners have been infected.”
In addition to a ten day bar closure announced by the governor, Morgantown and Mon County leaders have each agreed to measures making masks mandatory in public places. Council members also agreed to a three-strike plan to handle businesses with three or more COVID-19 positive cases.
After the first three positive tests at a business they would be forced to close for deep cleaning and an inspection by health department officials. The second occurrence of three positive tests would require the business to close for 14 days, deep clean and submit to another health department inspection, on the third occurrence the business would be closed until the outbreak is slowed and health department officials determine it is safe to reopen.
The measures go into effect at midnight Wednesday, July 15, the same time a mask order for businesses from the Monongalia Health Department takes hold.
“The governor’s order includes a mandate to wear face coverings, but does provide some exceptions due to social distancing inside,”Morgantown mayor Ron Dulaney said,”Our ordinance eliminates that exception, so now face coverings will be required at midnight tonight inside businesses without exception.”
Mon County health officer Dr. Lee Smith is hopeful the action will help stop the spike and pave the way for reopening to continue.
“I think it’s going to help some,”Dr. Smith said,”I have some concern that if the numbers don’r turn around or plateau or reduce we’re setting ourselves up for additional closures.”
Mayor Dulaney says the city will use trespassing laws to enforce the ordinance. Violation of this article will result in a fine of no less than $25 and no more than $500.
“If a customer comes into a business and the business asks that customer to either put on a mask or leave and the customer would refuse,”Dulaney said,”At that point, the business owner could call the police on the matter of trespassing.”
Mon County commissioners held a special meeting Monday morning that included Dr. Smith, Mon County Sheriff Perry Palmer, WVU, WVU Medicine, Mon Health Systems, Mon County Schools, the city of Westover, Star City and Granville. Commission president Ed Hawkins says the group goal is to work toward getting things back to business as usual.
“We want to go back to being healthy. We’ve got WVU students coming in,” Hawkins said,”Their policy is currently in place the board of education has a policy that’s in place.”