The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released frequently asked questions about the soon-to-be released COVID-19 vaccines, which are considered an important tool in the fight to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q If I have been named a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, how long do I need to quarantine? 
A While WVU and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources have called for fewer days of quarantine, individuals in Monongalia County who have been deemed a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will need to quarantine for 14 days. 
 
Q Now that I have been tested, do I need to quarantine?  
A Symptomatic individuals and/or those who know they have had a close exposure to COVID-19 need to quarantine. Asymptomatic individuals who have not been exposed to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine, unless their job demands it. Of course, asymptomatic individuals still should wear masks in public, practice social distancing and follow other COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

Q How will West Virginia University students, faculty and staff who are getting tested for COVID-19 be counted when there are positive cases?
A It depends on where the person lives during the school year. If someone commutes from Fairmont or Clarksburg or Kingwood, but lives in those cities, their counties will get the positive cases. If a student from New Jersey or Charleston or Flatwoods lives in a dorm or apartment in Morgantown or anywhere else in Monongalia County, then those positive cases will be counted for Monongalia County. Monongalia County Health Department is conducting all disease investigation for WVU positives. This means that an MCHD disease investigator will call any faculty, staff or student from WVU who has tested positive and make a determination where that individual actually resides during the school year, in spite of what might be on a driver's license or a form.

Q How can I find out how many COVID-19 cases in Monongalia County are active and how many are recovered? 
A Go to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources COVID-19 Dashboard. Click on “7 Day Trend” and then click on Monongalia County on the map. The Dashboard also can be accessed via Monongalia County Health Department’s web pages: Daily Updates and COVID-19 Links. 
​
Q How do I get tested without a primary care physician and/or if I am asymptomatic? 
A To find out if there is upcoming community testing, which has no cost to the person and is paid for the state, either check out this website, or contact your local health department. Individuals may also go to a MedExpress Urgent Care, which may charge a fee. Patients will be seen by a physician who can order a test for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Interested individuals with health insurance should check with their carrier to see if testing will be covered for individuals who have no symptoms. 

Q What if I was in close contact with someone who has tested positive? 
A It depends how close the contact was and for how long. If you were both wearing masks and maintained social distance, you are probably low risk. If this is not the case, you should quarantine and self-monitor for symptoms. 

Q What if I am returning from vacation or expecting guests from out of state?  
A Currently there is no order to quarantine in those circumstances. However, those visiting or returning from hotspots, such as Myrtle Beach, would be wise to quarantine and self-monitor for 14 days. 

Q How long does it take to get test results? 
A That can really fluctuate. Testing kits are processed at a lab so it’s difficult to predict the turnaround time. Also, when the number of tests goes up, it could take longer to get your results.  

Q Will they call me if it is negative or only if it is positive? 
A Most test labs have a website or portal where results may be checked. Many hospitals require signing up for a free medical chart where results can be located. 

Q If I am contacted by a disease investigator/contact tracer, what can I expect? 
A This person will discuss symptom management and set up a system of daily check-ins to monitor the illness. The contact tracer also will determine when you were infectious and go over close contacts. In this instance, please be as helpful as possible in providing information on how to connect with these close contacts. Be aware that daily check-ins may last for 14 days while you are in quarantine. 

Q If I am in quarantine or isolation, how do I get supplies I need, such as food? 
A Original contact is made when one of our contact tracers calls a positive COVID-19 patient. A food delivery questionnaire is completed by the contact tracer asking if the individual needs any food or hygiene products. If so, it’s then forwarded to one of our staff members, who forwards the request to the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. The United Way sets up the supplier for the product and notifies MCHD when the supplies are ready for pick-up. An MCHD employee goes to the supplier, picks up the product and delivers it to the household in need. 

Q What medicines do I take if I am having symptoms? 
A  There is no agreed upon treatment for COVID-19. Symptomatic individuals should contact their primary care provider, or the WVU Medicine COVID-19 hotline at 304-598-6000. Over-the-counter medications like cough syrup, Benadryl, etc., can be used to relieve symptoms. 

Q What if I have symptoms after day 14? 
A Symptoms at any time should be reported with an assessment as to whether these symptoms rise to the level of requiring a medical evaluation and/or hospitalization. 

Q Do I need to make my employer aware? 
A Employers need not be aware of any testing or results unless showing one or two negative test results by an employee is a requirement to return to work; or unless the employer must be contacted because an individual or individuals at the workplace are named as close contacts of a COVID-19-positive patient. 

Q How is a probable case of COVID-19 defined?
A The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a probable case as those that meet one of these three sets of criteria. Read more about the CDC's COVID-19 Data and Surveillance.
Q Where can I get more information? 
A The CDC also has a FAQs site. MCHD also has three additional COVID-19 web pages in addition to this one, Daily Updates and COVID-19 Links. They include Guidance, Mon Co. COVID-19 Stats and COVID-19 Press Releases. You also can follow Monongalia County Health Department's social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ​
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a flyer with frequently asked questions about the soon-to-be available COVID-19 vaccines, which is an important strategy for eradicating the pandemic. 
Complaints? 

Do you have a concern about a business in regard to COVID-19, such as individuals not maintaining social distance, a worker who should be wearing a mask who isn't or other guidance that isn't being followed? Or perhaps a concern about someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 who isn't in isolation, etc.?
​If so, call the MCHD Complaint Line at 304-598-6703 or send a private message on MCHD's Facebook page.
Masks

Do you want to make a mask for yourself? Here is information and instructions on how to do so.

Do you want to make masks for others? Follow the instructions and drop off masks at Monongalia County Health Department. There is a receptacle at the front entrance at the UPPER LEVEL. Our address is 453 Van Voorhis, across from United Bank and WVU University Police.

The American with Disabilities Act allows for accommodations for those who cannot wear a mask, but cards that say an individual is exempt from a mask mandate aren't legitimate. Read more...