COVID-19 CASES HITS 33 IN GREENBRIER CHURCH

(06/18/2020)
The number of positive COVID-19 cases linked to a Greenbrier church where an outbreak was reported has grown to 33, county health officials said.

There have been church outbreaks in Jefferson, Hampshire, Marshall, Boone and Ohio counties.

The Greenbrier County Health Department reported the update about Graystone Baptist Church Tuesday on its Facebook page. County health officials said they have 34 known active virus cases and all but one of those is associated with the church.

On Sunday, the state Department of Health and Human Resources had reported that 17 people linked to the church had the virus. Gov. Jim Justice at a news conference Monday said the number had increased to 28.

“We are still awaiting most of the test results from Sunday and Monday's testing at Dorie Miller (Park),” the Facebook post from the Greenbrier County Health Department said. “There appears to now be community transmission related to the outbreak thus everyone needs to wear masks out in public and be vigilant about social distancing.”

The DHHR had reported previously that about 475 people were tested at the park.

DHHR officials announced the outbreak at the church over the weekend, saying it would be closed for 14 days for cleaning. Several members of the West Virginia National Guard were sent there to sanitize the church and give it a deep cleaning.