KINGWOOD, W.Va. — As Preston County schools prepare for remote learning, health officials say a surge in cases will continue to be a lingering problem.
Preston County Schools officials on Monday announced remote learning will begin Thursday and continue through Sept. 27.
Preston County Health Department Administrator V.J. Davis told MetroNews affiliate WAJR-AM that infections have steadily increased since July.
“It’s a perfect storm,” he said. “At the same time that we saw the Delta variant come, we’ve been opened up and having activities. There’s really no statewide restrictions on activities.”
The health department has limited contract tracing capabilities as staff also must perform day-to-day services.
“I was able to hire a full-time nurse through a COVID grant, so we do have three full-time nurses,” Davis said. “We also have out other employees that will step in and help with that when we’re seeing a large increase.”
Health department officials continue to encourage the public to follow guidelines, but there is some concern as the Resonance Festival begins Thursday with 10,000 people expected to attend.
“With the lack of statewide restrictions at this point in time, it’s really up to the organizers to make the tough decisions as to if they have those events or not,” Davis said.
According to the state Department of Health and Human Resources, 13,816 Preston County residents 12 and older — 47.3% of this group — have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose.