CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The first possible coronavirus case sent from West Virginia to the Centers for Disease Control came back negative.
State Chief Health Officer Dr. Cathy Slemp said during an appearance Thursday on MetroNews “Talkline” the case was not coronavirus. She said two other cases will be tested by the CDC and the state should have the results in a few days.
.@WV_DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch and State Health Officer Cathy Slemp join @HoppyKercheval at the Capitol to give current insight on coronavirus. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/qVQSivU3dT
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) March 5, 2020
Slemp said the cases were submitted for testing due to the circumstances surrounding them.
“These are folks that have the right symptoms and suggested evidence that they might have been in a community where there was transmission going on and they’ve returned from that community or they have been in close contact with one who has had it,” Slemp said.
Now is a time for preparation, Slemp said.
“We do not have any cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in West Virginia at this point. We are doing the routine surveillance piece, watching for that. What’s most important is people recognize that and that they also take it seriously and begin to plan forward,” Slemp said.
Slemp joined state Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Crouch as guests on “Talkline” Thursday live from the state capitol.
Gov. Jim Justice issued a State of Preparedness proclamation Wednesday. The state has also established an information portal at coronavirus.wv.gov.