On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, the health department confirmed 19 new COVID-19 cases in Kanawha County. At that time, it was the largest number of new cases in one day since the pandemic began.
The county health officer linked the rise to summer travel, reopened businesses and people who let their guard down in hot spots. The health officer asked residents to wear a face covering, stay six feet from others and wash their hands often. By the evening of July 8, the county had 86 active cases.
Demand for testing rose at the same time. On Wednesday, July 8, a drive-up event run by the health department and the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority tested 717 people, and the line of cars stretched for blocks. More events were set for July 10 at Shawnee Sports Complex in Dunbar, July 12 at London First Church of God and July 18 at More Excellent Way Life Center Church in Charleston.
Sources
- WV MetroNews: Health department reports highest one day total of COVID-19 positives in county (July 8, 2020), on wvmetronews.com
- WCHS-TV: More than 500 tested for COVID-19 Wednesday at Schoenbaum Center; testing events added (July 2, 2020)