KINGWOOD, W.Va. – As the Delta surge begins a downward trend statewide, cases in Preston County continue to surge. On WAJR’s Talk of the Town Preston County Health Administrator V.J. Davis said pandemic records have broken for new daily cases within the last week.
“From Friday to Sunday we had 144 new cases in Preston County,” Davis said,” On Friday alone, we have 78 new cases come in which was a record for one day since the pandemic started.”
Since Wednesday, September 22, the daily infection rate has bounced from over 16-percent to as high as more than 27-percent with a low point the following Saturday of just over 10-percent.
“It’s nothing new for us and to pinpoint exactly what it is I can’t really pinpoint what it is,” Davis said,” We have seen this trend in Preston County throughout the pandemic, we tend to lag behind a little bit.”
Davis said due to the number of cases they have enlisted contract racing help from the state level. However, this sustained surge has made it very difficult for the Preston County Health Department staff to maintain.
According to DHHR data, 42-percent of the eligible population in the county are vaccinated. The lowest vaccination rates are in the 12 to 15-year-old and the 21 to 30-year-old age groups.
The vaccine is available in Preston County at pharmacies, the Preston County Health Department and local health clinics. Additionally, health officials continue to educate the public about the vaccine, how much protection it provides and the safety record.
“I think when people seek out the really good information and study it out they’ll come to the conclusion the vaccine is safe and the vaccine is effective,” Davis said.
Recently, as many as 10,000 people attended the Resonance Music Festival in the Preston County community of Masontown. Because most of those in attendance were from out-of-state, Davis doesn’t expect another surge related to that event. However, the same cannot be said about the Buckwheat Festival that will be held September 30 through October 3.
“That festival we probably worry a little more about because we know we will have a lot more Preston County residents attending that,” Davis said,” In fact, the majority of the people attending that festival will be Preston County residents.”
According to Davis, residents planning to attend the festival should self-monitor for symptoms and error on the side of caution and stay home if they feel bad or have a fever.
“Our message to people is pretty simple,” Davis said,” If you’re sick, if you have symptoms at all of anything, even if you think it’s sinus trouble just don’t go, don’t take that chance.”
At press time, officials are tracking 397 active coronavirus cases.