The Shadow
A planning meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force was held Wednesday afternoon at Covington City Hall.
Krystal Onaitis, Covington city manager, opened the meeting.
Local organizations and individuals that participated in the meeting via in person or phone conferencing, included the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board, Department of Social Services, HCA Healthcare, Carilion, local representatives from the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Alleghany County Administrator Jon Lanford, Onaitis, local emergency managers, Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office and Regional Jail, Covington Division of Police and Emergency Medical Services and Covington City Public Schools Superintendent Melinda Snead-Johnson and Alleghany County Public Schools Superintendent Eugene P. Kotulka.
Alleghany County Public Schools were closed Wednesday as officials discussed contingency plans in case schools have to be closed due to Coronavirus concerns.
Among the topics surrounding the Coronavirus that were discussed Wednesday afternoon included:
— There is continually updated information available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Virginia Department of Health websites;
— The Coronavirus focus is mitigation, it is now in Stage II because it has reached the U.S. and Virginia;
— Everyone should live their life. Thoroughly wash hands, telework if it can be done, stay home if sick and practice social distancing;
— There were no cases of the virus in the Alleghany Highlands as of March 11;
— There is screening for everyone that needs to enter LewisGale Hospital Alleghany. This is also in place at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. The hospital staff is prepared if there would be a case to isolate a patient;
— Testing kits are available locally for testing if criteria is met for testing. If testing kits are depleted they will be replenished. This is based on information from the Virginia Department of Health;
— Covington is formalizing a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) that is in depth. Covington continues to deep clean. Plans from Alleghany County are similar in action. Schools in both localities are taking the same courses of action;
— The Alleghany County Regional Jail is planning for inmates with regard to isolation if it would become needed. Their medical staff is putting procedures in place;
— Covington City Public Schools are doing surveys for internet access in homes, etc. The city is creating plans for study lessons, student meal plans and who would be able to work from home. Alleghany County Public Schools are working on the same plans for distance learning and providing meals;
— Facts are being posted from the Virginia Department of Health;
— Discussion was held regarding a Facebook live in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health meeting at the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library on Tuesday. There will also be local information via television and radio;
— The plan for the COVID-19 Task Force is to reconvene next week after the meeting and options are in person and conference call.
The Virginia Department of Health will hold a COVID-19 information session at the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library Tuesday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m.
There are also seven other sessions scheduled in surrounding areas. These meetings are needed to calm fear or panic.
In other developments regarding the Coronavirus:
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce postponed both weekends of the 62nd annual Highland County Maple Festival, originally scheduled for this weekend and the weekend of March 21-22.
The decision to postpone the festival was finalized on Thursday.
“The Highland County Chamber of Commerce fully understands the immense and overwhelmingly negative implications that will occur to the local economy, businesses, school system, nonprofits, civic organizations, churches, individuals, vendors and visitors, as well as the chamber of commerce itself, based upon this unprecedented and undesirable decision, especially given the timing,” the chamber said in a statement.
Also, in consultation with the owners of Jack Mason’s Tavern and Brewery, Clifton Forge Main Street, Inc. has decided to cancel this year’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Virginia.
“We feel that it would not be responsible to encourage a gathering that would result in very crowded gatherings until this virus has halted its rampant progress,” said Kara Caldwell, president of Clifton Forge Main Street. “We look forward to hosting next year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade when this health crisis has subsided.”
