In early May 2021, the county health department said expanded HIV testing would continue in Charleston and nearby parts of Kanawha County. The work was part of the response to a local HIV outbreak.
Two new state disease intervention specialists who focused on HIV had started work at the health department. The county health officer said they had moved fast to reach people who inject drugs and to find HIV cases.
The health department and community partners held a free testing event with linkage to care from noon to 5 p.m. at Loop Plaza in St. Albans. Another event followed on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, from noon to 5 p.m. in the old Kmart parking lot in Kanawha City. Testing events also offered COVID-19 tests and vaccines and shots for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and tetanus.
The local HIV task force met on May 10, 2021, at the request of the mayor of Charleston. The health department reported 11 new HIV cases so far in 2021. Residents could also get an HIV test by appointment any day by calling 304-348-8080.