COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice provides more than $4.1 million to help volunteer firefighters; reports modest improvement in case numbers

Press Release

Gov. Jim Justice joined West Virginia health leaders and other officials today for his latest daily press briefing regarding the State's COVID-19 response.

$4.19 MILLION PROVIDED TO HELP VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS
During Wednesday's briefing, Gov. Justice announced that he and his team have found a way to provide $10,000 in grant funding directly to each of the 419 volunteer fire departments across West Virginia.

In total, the Governor's initiative will provide $4.19 million to help volunteer firefighters in all corners of the Mountain State.

"Our volunteer fire departments have been hurting because they haven't been able to do a lot of the fundraising they need to do during this pandemic," Gov. Justice said. "We've been trying to figure out what we can do.

"We all know the beauty of what they give to all of us," Gov. Justice continued. "Not only do they run to the fire, but they do it on a volunteer basis. All the good they bring to every one of us is unbelievable.

"Our communities abound with volunteer fire departments and we're very proud to be able to send $10,000 to each and every one of them because these firefighters are true heroes to all of us beyond belief."

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COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS UPDATE
Gov. Justice also reported a modest improvement in West Virginia's COVID-19 case numbers in recent days, announcing that out of 2,838 tests taken on Tuesday, only 30 were positive; a rate of less than 1.06 percent.

"The number of active cases in Mon County has dropped from 394 to 339 and that's also very good," Gov. Justice said. "Our numbers, for the past couple of days, have been moving back in the direction that we want them to move.

Gov. Justice pointed out that Wednesday marked two weeks and two days since he established his statewide indoor face covering requirement.

"Something is making this move in our favor," Gov. Justice said. "I'm a believer that one robin doesn't make spring and this is more like one robin right now, as far as the numbers we have. But we're going to keep watching the numbers for a few more days and then we'll be able to react from there."

The Governor also reported that West Virginia's Rt value -- an indicator of how much COVID-19 is spreading -- which had been the highest among all 50 states, has now improved to 19th nationwide. However, Gov. Justice also pointed out that COVID-19-related hospitalizations have increased slightly since his previous briefing on Monday.

"We still have to be really careful and keep watch of what's going on in other places," Gov. Justice said. "But, at least for today, we're doing a little bit better and I can never thank you enough, West Virginia, for being the miracle."

View additional data: Coronavirus.wv.gov.

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