In March 2020, as COVID-19 reached Kanawha County, the county health department asked some groups of residents to self-isolate at home. On March 19, the health department, the City of Charleston and the county asked travelers, including people back from spring break, to follow CDC travel guidance.
People back from areas with wide community spread were asked to stay home for 14 days from the time they left that area. During that time they were told to:
- take their temperature twice a day and watch for fever, cough or trouble breathing
- stay away from work, school and other people
- avoid public transportation, taxis and ride-shares
- keep about 6 feet from others
The first confirmed case in the county was announced on March 20, 2020. The health department said all confirmed cases were isolated and their close contacts were quarantined for 14 days from the last exposure. Later that month, employees of the county Judicial Annex were also told to isolate at home and check their temperature twice a day after co-workers tested positive.
On April 6, 2020, the chief judge of the county circuit court issued an order that allowed GPS ankle monitors for people who tested positive and refused to follow a quarantine order. Residents with questions could call the health department at 304-348-1088.
This guidance is from March 2020. It is kept here as a record and is not current advice. Check current guidance from the CDC or your doctor.
Sources
- City of Charleston: Health Department, City, County Urge Citizens to Follow CDC Guidelines on Travel (March 19, 2020)
- City of Charleston: Health Department Identifies Case of COVID-19 in Kanawha County (March 20, 2020)
- WV MetroNews: Fourth Kanawha judicial employee tests positive for COVID-19 as county cases rise (March 26, 2020)
- City of Charleston: Kanawha County Circuit Court Chief Judge enters an order for enforcing positive patients to follow quarantine guidelines (April 6, 2020)