Learn more about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)
There are four coronaviruses that commonly cause illness in human beings, including some colds, with respiratory symptoms ranging from mild to moderate.

Sometimes, coronaviruses that infect animals can evolve, make people sick and become a new human coronavirus. Three types of coronaviruses — MERS, SARS and now COVID-19 — fall into this category. 

COVID-19 was first diagnosed in late 2019. West Virginia was the last state in the U.S. to have a case diagnosed, which happened on March 17, 2020.

Individuals with legitimate concerns about the possibility of having COVID-19 should not walk into a health department, hospital emergency department, urgent care or other health care facility to seek testing or treatment.

Instead, call your primary care provider, an urgent care or WVU Medicine at 304-598-6000 to determine a location and protocol for being evaluated. Free testing events are held periodically and will be advertised on this website as well as Monongalia County Health Department's website.  

The CDC has an information and help line at 800-CDC-INFO.

This is a quickly evolving situation and we will be updating this space, as well as our social media pages when new information emerges. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wvmchd and on Instagram at wvmchd.

At this time, precautions that can be taken include:
  • Wear a mask in public
  • Maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet between you and others
  • Get a free COVID-19 test if you are symptomatic and even if you aren't
  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine and a booster. You can make an appointment at this link.  
  • Get a seasonal influenza vaccine.
  • Getting plenty of sleep and other immune-boosting practices.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, warm water and friction, for about 20 seconds, or the amount of time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Evidence shows this really does make a difference.
  • Do not go to work or school if you are sick.

​Below are links to additional COVID-19 information as well as a video. ​

West Virginia DHHR​

The WV DHHR dashboard connects you to information about COVID-19 all over the state, including active cases for each county, under "County Summary." Other tabs: Positive Case Trends, Lab Test Trends, Other Trends, Hospital, Long-Term Care and State Comparison. 
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World Health Organization (WHO)

On this website you can find information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Please visit this page for daily updates. Read more...

CDC

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention tracks data on disease patterns, variants and outbreak locations, while also providing advice on how to keep you, your family and your community safe. 
Here are some CDC COVID links. 
COVID data tracker
​Find local guidance
Travel
Testing and Vaccines

West Virginia University 

Keep up-to-date on WVU'sc plans to deal with COVID-19 with WVU's coronavirus website. The site includes COVID-19 info, frequently asked questions and information as well as the WVU Back on Campus Guide. There is also a WVU COVID-19 student, faculty and staff testing dashboard.
West Virginia Department of Education

This website provides the School Alert System map, school outbreaks, school re-entry information and the Kids Connect Initiative, designed to support the learning needs of children during time outside of school hours. By installing the necessary equipment, public schools, higher education institutions, libraries and state parks with existing connectivity will be turned into WiFi hotspots. The signals will be broadcast into parking lots and locations in close proximity allowing students to visit these areas and access the WiFi to complete school assignments.