Monongalia County Health Department

COVID-19 Press Releases

The mission of Monongalia County Health Department is to
protect our community, prevent disease and promote healthy living.

Clinical
Services
(304) 598-5119

MCHD
Dentistry
(304) 598-5108

MCHD Environmental
(304) 598-5131

Threat
Preparedness
(304) 598-5154

WIC
Program
(304) 598-5181

Education
and
Training

MCHD After-Hours Emergency Contact Information

To notify MCHD of a reportable disease that requires immediate notification, please call 304-680-4357. Here is a link listing additional resources. 
This is an emergency number. For general inquiries, call MCHD at 304-598-5100 during weekday hours or message us on Facebook at any time.

LATEST NEWS

Register online for free COVID-19 test
Posted Sept. 29, 2020

Planning on getting a free COVID-19 test at the WVU Rec Center? Register online in advance to help expedite the process using the link below. Testing coordinated by Monongalia County Health Department will be taking place at least through October at the Rec Center. Times tomorrow are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You do not have to have symptoms in order to be tested. As always, wear a mask and bring identification with you. There is free parking at the Rec Center. Here's the link.

Free testing at WVU Rec Center
Posted Sept. 21, 2020

Free COVID-19 testing coordinated by Monongalia County Health Department, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the WVU Rec Center. Everyone should wear a mask and bring ID. This is walk-in testing. There will be free parking. Asymptomatic individuals are encouraged to take advantage of this testing as up to 40% of individuals with COVID have no symptoms. Testing will be held at the same time and place at the WVU Rec Center for the foreseeable future. Read more...

MCHD hiring Epidemiologist 2
Posted Sept. 8

Monongalia County Health Department is hiring for the position of Epidemiologist 2.
Short job description: This individual will perform advanced professional work through collaborative process conducting essential epidemiologist investigation and research for information pertinent to Monongalia County to support and direct public health programs. Builds data-driven situational awareness that focuses activities with partner groups, agencies and jurisdictions. Read more...

Difference between restaurant & bar?
Posted Sept. 2, 2020

Now that the governor has closed Monongalia County bars indefinitely, it's true that restaurants can still serve alcohol. What's the difference between a bar and a restaurant? In this instance, it means freshly prepared food. So a bar that just microwaves frozen meals or serves pepperoni rolls does not qualify as a restaurant. Establishments also need to follow all other COVID-19 guidance, including social distancing.

MCHD issues order for businesses
Posted July 14, 2020

Monongalia County Health Department, with the support of Morgantown City Council, issued an order that will require businesses identified to have three COVID-19 cases among staff and/or patrons will be required to close, do a deep clean and only open again after inspection. This takes effect on the morning of Wednesday, July 15 at midnight. If this happens again at the same business, the same measures would be put into place along with a 14-day quarantine. Read more...

New WIC income guidelines released
Posted July 6, 2020

New income guidelines have been released for the federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. MCHD WIC covers six counties: Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and children from birth to age 5 who meet the income guidelines, as well as foster parents with children 5 and under, are eligible for nutritional counseling, food packages and breastfeeding support. Call 1-800-675-5181 or 304-598-5181 in Morgantown for more information. Learn more.

COVID outbreak among bar patrons
Posted July 1, 2020

Several patrons who visited bars on High Street in downtown Morgantown on the evening of Wednesday, June 24, have tested positive for COVID-19. Four individuals had visited the Baby Squirrel Saloon. Other bars visited include Big Times and The Back Door. Concerned patrons should self-monitor for symptoms, which include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Anyone with questions, including whether or not they should quarantine, can call MCHD at 304-598-5100. Read more...

MCHD administered 1,000 free tests
Posted May 25, 2020

Monongalia County Health Department, along with the West Virginia National Guard, administered 1,000 free COVID-19 tests on May 23 and 24 at three locations: Big Lots parking lot, Mountainview Elementary and the WVU Coliseum. Learn more...

Sources for current coronavirus info
Posted Feb. 26, 2020

CDC officials are saying COVID-19 is expected to continue impacting the United States. The CDC and Monongalia County Health Department are good sources of correct and timely information about this disease. MCHD is busy reviewing and updating emergency plans should they be needed. To keep up to date with this evolving situation, "like" and follow us on social media @wvmchd on Facebook and Twitter and at wvmchd on Instagram for updates, in addition to the CDC website.

ORB baits distributed in Morgantown
Posted Oct. 25, 2019

MCHD Environmental Health sanitarians distributed Oral Rabies Vaccine (ORV) baits throughout Morgantown in grassy areas such as parks, woods and rail-trails in early September. Red areas of the map (right) illustrate distribution patterns as detected by an electronic clicking system that was utilized for each bait that was tossed out. MCHD purchased the ORV baits to complement the USDA APHIS program that dropped ORV baits in rural areas of Monongalia County via airplane, in response to the high number of rabies cases in Monongalia County in 2019. There were 14 cases of rabies in raccoons, as well as a cat that attacked two individuals just before the baiting began.

MCHD hiring for position of Nurse II
Posted Sept. 28, 2020

Monongalia County Health Department is hiring for Nurse II position. Job description: Performs professional level work at full performance level providing direct nursing services for the public health nursing program. Involves clinical and programmatic responsibilities within the health department and community including prevention, counseling and education as well as service. Will perform back-up duties for all clinical services program. Read more...

MCHD hiring Nutritionist Director
Posted Sept. 10

Monongalia County Health Department has an employment opportunity for a Nutritionist Director. The employee will perform complex administrative work at the advanced level, directing MCHD’s nutrition services program. This includes planning, organizing and directing activities of the program and being responsible for quality of services delivered in a six-county region: Monongalia, Preston, Harrison, Marion, Taylor and Doddridge counties. Interested? Read more...

Breastfeeding video available to view
Posted July 30, 2020

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, MCHD WIC breastfeeding classes have been delayed until at least Oct. 1, 2020. This videotaped class teaches breastfeeding information & techniques. Clients also can get information from consultants via phone and the Pacify app. Read more...

Smile Express dental unit seeks driver
Posted July 19, 2020

MCHD Dentistry/Smile Express is seeking an experienced Class A operator driver and aid with a calm temperament and clean driving record who can handle a 38-foot mobile dental unit in a variety of locations, from city streets to interstate to country roads. Good understanding of Class A RV maintenance or ability to learn. Excellent communication skills, especially with children. Hours may vary week to week depending on school schedule. Learn more...

Mon Co. COVID-19 cases spike 61.7%
Posted July 5, 2020

The number of COVID-19 cases since July 1 has gone up by 100, a 61.7% increase in the first five days of July. The number of confirmed, diagnosed cases as of Sunday evening is 262 and expected to rise. The county was at 162 on July 1. Residents are strongly urged to wear masks in public, maintain a social distance of six feet from others and wash hands thoroughly and often. Trained contact tracers who would like to volunteer services can call MCHD at 304-598-5100. Read more...

MCHD Dentistry hires second dentist
Posted June 30, 2020

Dr. Youseph Kassar, a Morgantown native and recent graduate of West Virginia University's School of Dentistry, has joined MCHD Dentistry as its second dentist. He will see patients both at Monongalia County Health Department and on MCHD Smile Express, the mobile unit that visits schools in six counties as well as other locations. MCHD Dentistry is open and accepting appointments for new and established patients. Call 304-598-5108 to make an appointment. Read more...

Gym clients asked to monitor for virus
Posted June 29, 2020

Clients at Planet Fitness at Fort Pierpont Road who were at the facility between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 are asked to quarantine and self-monitor for symptoms after a member tested positive for COVID-19. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, cough, diarrhea and loss of sense of small. Members also will be required to wear masks at gyms, following Gov. Jim Justice's guidance, except for when they are exercising strenuously. Read more...

MCHD starts to resume services
Posted May 18, 2020

MCHD Clinical Services has reopened for preventive appointments. Clinical Services offers Family Planning for free or low-cost birth control and health checkups for individuals seeking birth control. West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program provides Pap tests, breast exams and mammogram referrals for those who qualify. Vaccines and free STD testing and treatment are also available. Call 304-598-5119 to make an appointment. Read more...

MCHD presents QRT poster at event
Posted Oct. 4, 2019

Monongalia County Health Department's Brittany Irick created a poster about our Quick Response Team (QRT) a multi-agency approach to alleviating the area's opioid overdoses, at the recent conference of the West Virginia Association of Local Health Conferences at Canaan Valley Resort. To see the poster, click here. For more information, email Brittany.D.Irick@wv.gov.

MCHD debuts "The Radon Zone"
Posted Feb. 7, 2019

Do you live in ... a Radon Zone? Just because National Radon Action Month is over doesn't mean you still can't make an appointment to have your home tested. Call 304-598-5131... and tell them Rod Serling sent you. Be sure to click on full screen!

MCHD featured in national newsletter
Posted Jan. 25, 2019

A multi-county, multi-agency drill that Monongalia County Health Department and its Threat Preparedness program participated in was highlighted in the Jan. 23, 2019 edition of the Medical Reserve Corps' newsletter. Read more...