Daily Coronavirus Update - April 14, 2020

“Gayle and I are praying for a swift recovery for the miners injured in Taylor County this morning. Our hearts go out to their loved ones. Coal miners put their lives on the line every day as they work diligently to power our nation and we are forever grateful for their contributions. Gayle and I, like all West Virginians, will keep them and their loved ones in our prayers.”

- Joe

Be sure to check out our newly redesigned COVID-19 website.

WV STRONG

I was always taught that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. It's my privilege to share some inspirational stories from those on the ground who are donating their time and energy to helping their fellow West Virginians. These are just a few of the countless acts of kindness happening in our state every single day. Share your stories or recommend someone to be recognized for being WV Strong by emailing WVSTRONG@manchin.senate.gov.

This story of a Better Angel comes from down in Bluefield. Pastor Travis Lowe of the Crossroads Church arranged for congregants to be able to volunteer in shifts to make face shields, masks and gowns for healthcare workers at the Bluefield Regional Medical Center.

Each of the 25 volunteer groups involved were already in quarantine together, and worked in one-hour shifts at a local community-operated space that was home to 3D printers, sewing machines, and anything they needed to make the much-needed supplies. Churches across our state and nation are looking for ways to help during this crisis, and I truly thank Pastor Lowe and the congregants of the Crossroads Church in Bluefield for all your hard work.

WORKING FOR YOU

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $500K FOR WEST VIRGINIA’S HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $536,443 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Healthcare Education Foundation of West Virginia as part of the Hospital Preparedness Program.

“Our hospitals and healthcare professionals are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and have been working tirelessly to care for those affected by this terrible pandemic. This funding will help support the emergency management personnel located across all our hospitals and who are working daily to coordinate our response to this pandemic. Our hospitals need funding and support, especially rural hospitals like those in West Virginia who are functioning on shoestring budgets and are at risk of closing. We must work to ensure that rural states like West Virginia receive our fair share of the emergency funding, especially our rural hospitals and healthcare professionals so they can stay afloat and care for fellow West Virginians in need during this pandemic,” said Senator Manchin.

WV 211

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is encouraging West Virginians to utilize the 2-1-1 program operated by United Way of West Virginia. 2-1-1 connects callers with health and human services resources through trained certified specialists. Anyone can call 2-1-1 to learn about specific programs, intake requirements, eligibility, operation hours and more.

“United Way of West Virginia provides an important service to West Virginians by helping users navigate the vast number of resources available to aid with healthcare issues, food shortages, mental health questions and more. This program is more important now than ever as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and I commend United Way for continuing to serve their fellow West Virginians through this time,” Senator Manchin said.

“United Way’s new 2-1-1 will make information on a wide variety of local support services more accessible across our entire state,” said United Way of Central WV President, Margaret O’Neal. “Whether it’s information for locating a health clinic, finding child care programs, or getting housing assistance, 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, go-to resource for individuals and families.”

To utilize these resources West Virginians can:

Call 2-1-1
Text your zip code to 898-211
Visit http://www.wv211.org/contact
Call toll-free 1-833-848-9905

RESOURCES

Our office is working diligently to bring you the most up-to-date information as it becomes available. Click the links below for more information. All information regarding resources and more can be found on Senator Manchin's website. 

Unemployment

Veterans Assistance

Basic Needs

Business Assistance

Volunteer

Feeling Ill?

Any new or updated information will be posted below.

Legal Aid Still Available for West Virginians

Legal Aid of West Virginia continues to offer legal information, advice and representation remotely, particularly to West Virginians facing legal emergencies related to domestic violence, sudden loss of housing or income, guardianship, and other issues where there is a threat to personal safety.

Apply for free legal help by calling Legal Aid’s intake hotline at (866) 255-4370, M-F from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 pm. Or, begin an application anytime via Legal Aid’s online intake by visiting their website lawv.net and clicking on the “Apply For Help” button in the upper right hand corner of the homepage. Visitors to their website will also find a continually updated Q&A section with commonly asked legal questions related to the COVID-19 crisis. 

TESTING / COLLECTION LOCATIONS

This is the main question my office is receiving: Where can I get a test? Please note that this is not a comprehensive list; there may be more testing sites out there that are added daily.  In order to provide as much reliable information as possible, I am including testing sites that are verified through an official communication or news release.

I will keep this section of my newsletter and my website as up-to-date as possible.  For any organizations or health care organizations who would like their site listed, or who have updates on their hours or requirements, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov .

It is recommended that you seek testing only when you begin exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Click here to view the screening criteria. To report your symptoms and be directed to one of the available testing sites, contact your primary care doctor or a designated hotline for your area. Most, if not all, sites require a physician's order before testing. If you have gone through these steps and are still having issues getting a test, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov and a member of my staff will reach out to you to see if we can assist.

Click here for WV DHHR's latest updates to reported COVID-19 cases

Click here to find a testing site near you.

Any new additions or updates will be included below.

BLUEFIELD
LOCATION: Mercer County Health Department, 978 Blue Prince Rd, Bluefield, WV 24701
HOURS: Tue and Thu, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. starting Thursday, April 17, 2020

Drive-through testing will start Thursday at the Mercer County Health Department in Green Valley, and will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday from noon until 2 p.m. People who want to be tested must call ahead and be interviewed before being tested. Call Monday through Friday, 304-324-8367, x 1229. Please leave a message if there is no answer. Your call will be returned.

GILBERT
LOCATION: Larry Joe Harless Community Center, 202 Larry Joe Harless Drive, Gilbert
HOURS: Testing begins at 9am on Friday, April 17. This community-based drive-thru site will be available on Friday only.

Appointments will be given from Tuesday, April 14th thru Thursday April 16th by calling 304-664-6270 or 304-235-3570 between the hours of 8am and 4pm. Should you call after hours, please leave your name and phone number only with their answering service and you will be called back the next day. People seeking an appointment will be asked a series of screening questions and, if they meet testing criteria, will be given an appointment time and a testing identifier number. All testing will be done at no charge to the patient.

KEYSER
LOCATION: Potomac Valley Hospital, 100 Pin Oak Ln., Keyser, WV 26726
HOURS: Monday-Friday 10am - 2pm
304-597-3500

Patients without a valid order for testing should contact primary-care office to determine if they need a screening test. They can also contact the WVU Medicine Nurse Navigator line at 304-598-6000 Option 4.

Tests will be reserved for people who meet screening criteria based on CDC recommendations and are sick with symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. 

The testing itself will be supported by both Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, which will process the specimens that WVU Medicine collects from patients. Patients will typically learn test results in three-to-four days, although time will likely vary based on the volume of tests these two companies will be performing.

CONTACT US

Email: common_sense@manchin.senate.gov  

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Or call the Charleston Office Toll-Free: (855) 275-5737