The Shadow
Government offices in the city of Covington and Alleghany County have been closed to the public.
In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, city offices were closed to the public Tuesday, while offices in the Alleghany County Governmental Complex, the Department of Social Services and the registrar’s office were closed to the public beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday until further notice.
Alleghany County refuse collection will continue on its regular schedule, and the transfer station will currently remain open to the public.
“We will be reassessing the situation on a continual basis and will provide additional information as appropriate,” County Administrator Jon Lanford said.
Krystal Onaitis, Covington city manager and director of emergency services for the city of Covington, has declared a local emergency due to the continued spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The local emergency was declared on Tuesday at 10 a.m. and came on the heels of a local emergency declaration Monday in Bath County.
Bath County is asking the public to conduct as much business as possible online or by calling the appropriate office in order to help prevent the spread of the disease.
“This policy is for public safety as well as the safety of our staff,” said County Administrator Ashton Harrison.
The town of Clifton Forge is following a protocol similar to Bath County. On Tuesday, access to town hall was limited to those needing to make payments or set up accounts.
“Once in the building, please maintain social distances and good hygiene habits,” Town Manager Darlene Burcham said. “If you are running a fever or feeling ill, please delay entering the building.”
Town officials remind the public that a payment box is located at the bottom of the steps in front of Clifton Forge Town Hall.
For other matters, call (540)?863-2500.
The Highlands COVID-19 Task Force met Monday to discuss enhancing efforts relating to the following: resources available in the area, consistent public communication and ways to provide support/collaboration as the region works to mitigate COVID-19.
The task force plans to convene conference call meetings weekly and increase the frequency as needed as the situation evolves. This process will continue as long as necessary for the region.
The task force covers Alleghany County, the town of Clifton Forge, city of Covington and town of Iron Gate.
Members are a diverse group ranging from local administrators, elected officials, school superintendents, area first responders, area emergency managers, health care providers – including LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany and state agency representatives.
Each locality has developed a Continuation of Operations Plan (COOP) and all are working to adjust their normal operations as needed to foster and promote the mitigation strategies endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
“The Highlands COVID-19 Task Force wants to remind everyone in the area, to practice and promote social distancing, frequent hand washing with soap and water, coughing or sneezing into your arm or tissue and staying home if you are sick,” Onaitis said. “If you feel you have the flu, flu-like symptoms, high fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, contact your primary care physician or a local doctor’s office to determine if you need to be seen and what they recommend.”
These are recommendations from the CDC and VDH that have remained consistent since proactive efforts began.
For more information on COVID-19, the following online resources are recommended, CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/ , or the VDH website: http:// www.vdh.virginia.gov/, for those without internet, VDH has a hotline that can be used, 1-877-ASK-VDH3.
Alleghany Highlands Community Services
As the situation surrounding the Coronavirus continues to evolve, the team at Alleghany Highlands Community Services is working to take precautionary measures to help ensure the well-being of staff and those who are served.
Approximately two weeks ago, an internal committee of AHCS leadership staff was established to help develop specific guidance and practices to address the prevention — and, if necessary, management of — any direct impact.
This committee has been meeting frequently and has been in close communication with multiple community partner agencies, including the Alleghany/Covington Health Department, local hospitals and law enforcement agencies. AHCS is also participating in the Highlands Task Force group for COVID-19.
Effective Tuesday, AHCS began screening all visitors to its facilities, using practices recommended by the CDC. This practice will remain in place at all AHCS clinics, offices and residential programs until further notice.
Community events and elective trainings have also been suspended until further notice. Visitation to residential and day programs has been restricted for the health and safety of the individuals who are served.
Hours of operation have been adjusted to ensure proper sanitation of facilities. Certain services and programs have been limited or suspended to comply with health and safety recommendations.
“In the meantime, we encourage everyone to follow the precautionary guidelines that have been shared by the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health — particularly around the practice of good, basic hygiene (washing you hands thoroughly, coughing into your sleeve, etc.) as this helps minimize the risk of spreading the virus,”?Ingrid Barber, executive director of Alleghany Highlands Community Services. “If you have a scheduled appointment with AHCS and are not feeling well, please stay at home and call us to reschedule at a time that is convenient for you. We, of course, will continue to serve individuals who are in crisis or considered part of a priority population.”
Barber added, “While the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 can be unsettling, it is also important that we all take care of our mental health during this time, practicing self-care.
AHCS will continue to monitor the Coronavirus situation closely and provide updates as necessary.
“I can assure you that we will do everything possible within the scope of our organization to support the Alleghany Highlands community during this time,” Barber said.
Total Action For Progress
Total Action for Progress (TAP) will remain open for now, but with new protocols in place to help limit contact while doing everything possible to continue critical services.
“Given the ever-changing nature of the situation we’re in, other adjustments may be necessary in the future,” said Sarah Reid, TAP’s creative services manager.
Please note the following updates from TAP:
• Head Start’s part-day centers are closed for two weeks, as is our Raleigh Court center. Head Start will notify parents of any future closures.
• Tax Clinic – At this time scheduled appointments at the clinic will continue as planned. TAP will be following all recommended guidelines set in place by the CDC including increasing cleaning and disinfecting, practicing social distancing, and more.
• Postponed – TAP’s Open House event in Covington scheduled for March 24. A new date will be shared at a later time.
• Postponed – TAP Books Warehouse sale scheduled for March 21. A new date will be shared at a later time.
• Postponed – TAP’s Housing Counseling Class scheduled for March 21.
• As scheduled – YALE’s enrollment scheduled for March 23 will go on as planned.
• Postponed – Roanoke’s Voice fundraiser scheduled for May 21. A new date will be shared at a later time.
• Census – as of now, anyone can come to TAP’s offices in Roanoke and Covington to fill out the census form at a computer in the lobby during normal business hours.
Social Security
All local Social Security offices were closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday, March 17.
“This decision protects the population we serve — older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions — and our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,”?said Mark Hinkle, acting Social Security press officer. “However, we are still able to provide critical services.”
Social Security’s secure and convenient online services remain available at www.socialsecurity.gov. Local offices will also continue to provide critical services over the phone.
“We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local governments and other experts to monitor COVID-19 and will let you know as soon as we can resume in-person service,” Hinkle said.
If you need help from Social Security:
• First, please use the secure and convenient online services available at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. You can apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits online, check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verification letter, and much more – from anywhere and from any of your devices. Social Security also offers a wealth of information to answer most of your Social Security questions online, without having to speak with a Social Security representative in person or by phone. Please visit online Frequently Asked Questions at www.socialsecurity.gov/ask.
• If you cannot conduct your Social Security business online, please check the online field office locator for specific information about how to directly contact your local office. Your local office still will be able to provide critical services to help you apply for benefits, answer your questions and provide other services over the phone.
• If you already have an in-office appointment scheduled, representatives will call you to handle your appointment over the phone instead. If you have a hearing scheduled, Social Security will call you to discuss alternatives for continuing with your hearing, including offering a telephonic hearing.
“Our call may come from a private number and not from a U.S. Government phone,” said Hinkle. “Please remember that our employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment.”
If you cannot complete your Social Security business online, please call the national 800 number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). The national 800 number has many automated service options you can use without waiting to speak with a telephone representative. A list of automated telephone services is available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/agency/contact/phone.html .
C.F. Public Library
The Clifton Forge Public Library is closed to the public until further notice due to public health concerns with COVID-19.
Staff will be onsite to help patrons by phone Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Patrons may return materials in the library drop box, located on the parking lot side of the building.
The library will be offering a limited curbside service for those patrons who want to check out books and DVDs. Please contact the library for details.
Online resources remain available through the library’s website at www.cliftonforgelibrary.org. Wi-Fi continues to be available to the public as well.
The Clifton Forge Public Library is located at 535 Church Street.
Patrons may call the library at 540-863-2519.
Education Summit
The annual Education Summit, scheduled for Thursday, March 26, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We look forward to rescheduling when normal activity resumes,”?said Dianne Garcia, education liaison with The Alleghany Foundation.
