Healthcare, Latest News, Preston County

Board of Health considers new social media campaign

Stay Safe pledges for businesses via mail also on the table

KINGWOOD —  Members of the Preston County Board of Health are considering  a county social media and pledge campaign.

Trellis Smith and Lucas Tatham, owners of Modern Homesteads in Reedsville, suggested a social media campaign to keep county residents informed about ways to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Smith and Tatham said they would like to see a  campaign that would  get the attention of young people as well as the older population.

Board members said they would discuss the possibility and contact Smith and Tatham Monday to let them know their decision.

Preston County Health Officer Dr. Fred Conley, suggested mailing a Staying Safe pledge to county businesses. 

He said the Stay Safe Pledge and the social media campaign could work together. 

 Conley  said the pledge, if signed would indicate the business would follow CDC guidelines including face covering, washing hands, six foot distancing and gloves when needed.

Conley said employees would be agreeing to follow the same guidelines, and when cleaning, would clean high touch areas frequently.

He said pledges could be sent out within the next couple of weeks.

Preston Health Department Administrator V.J. Davis said there were 55 cases, (a combination of confirmed and probable)  from the Myrtle Beach outbreak.

“It looks like we’re seeing the end of that (beach cases),” he said. “The recent cases are from other situations.”

As of 5 p.m. the Department of Health and Human Resources confirmed there are 78 cases and 16 probable cases in Preston County.

In other business, board members voted to purchase a 14 foot box trailer. One of the  trailer’s uses would be storage for supplies that are not temperature sensitive.

“When a COVID-19 vaccine comes out we will be going to different areas of the county (for vaccinations),” he said. 

The board voted to spend up to $5,000 for the trailer and  to have it lettered and the Health Department emblem added.

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