The Board of Supervisors will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. Due to the current restrictions on crowd size, we are discouraging public attendance. However, if you would like to address the Board during Citizens’ Time, please contact the Clerk of the Board, Martha Collins, at 276-223-4500 or email comments to mgcollins@wytheco.org. Please note that our meetings are recorded and may be viewed on YOUTUBE following the meeting. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

(MARION, Virginia) – Mount Rogers Health District announces substantial community transmission of COVID-19 within the health district. Two localities, Washington and Wythe, have documented community transmission, which means that the entire health district is now considered to have widespread community transmission.

The Virginia Department of Health declared widespread community transmission within the Commonwealth of Virginia to the CDC last week, which was based on activity across the state.

“Community transmission indicates that you can get COVID-19 from anywhere within the community; you don’t have to travel or know a person with the disease in order to get it. This means everyone should stay home and only go out for essential needs as rarely as possible,” insists Karen Shelton MD, Director, Mount Rogers Health District. “Southwest Virginia is not immune to COVID-19. If you have to go out for critical things like grocery shopping or medical care, wear a cloth face covering and stay at least six feet away from others. Wash your hands and clean surfaces often. These personal precautions apply to all of us – stay home!”

The CDC recommends everyone wear cloth face coverings when out in public in conditions that make social distancing difficult. There is growing evidence that people can spread COVID-19 even if they never develop symptoms or before their symptoms start. Even so, the CDC believes that people are most contagious when they have symptoms. Everyone should limit their exposure by staying home.

Older adults, especially those 65 and older, and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more severe complications from COVID-19. Even if you do not fit those criteria, you help reduce the risk for those who are most vulnerable.

Most people with COVID-19 develop mild illness and can isolate at home. The most common symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Other common symptoms include fatigue, decreased appetite and muscle or body aches. Not everyone with COVID-19 will have all symptoms, and a fever might not be present. If you feel your symptoms are worsening, please seek medical care by calling your primary care provider, urgent care, or 911.

Do your part to STOP the spread by taking everyday precautions, including staying at home as much as possible, avoiding close contact with others, covering your coughs and sneezes, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

Individuals, communities, businesses and healthcare organizations all play an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

For the most up to date information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.

April 7, 2020

To the Citizens of Wythe County

As of yesterday evening, Wythe County has been advised of the 4th and 5th cases of COVID-19. Wythe County had just received its 3rd case this past weekend. Wythe County is asking citizens not to panic at this news. We ask citizens to continue to use good hygiene, practice social distancing, and stay at home if possible. This will reduce the exposure in our community. Wearing facial covering is the new recommendation from the CDC, when you are in public. It remains our responsibility to keep each other safe. If you feel sick, stay at home. Call your doctor and discuss your symptoms. If your doctor agrees that your symptoms match the testing requirements, then you will be tested. Flooding the healthcare system can cause unnecessary exposures. If you need medical help, seek it, but if it is not an emergency, please stay home and call your doctor. If you are having an emergency and need to call 911, please let the dispatcher know if you are having the following symptoms:

• Dry Cough
• Fever
• Difficulty Breathing
• Flu-Like Symptoms

Please remember that good hygiene (hand washing, covering your mouth when sneezing/coughing), social distancing, and staying home when possible, are still the main steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Cleaning highly touchable surfaces and high usage areas with appropriate cleaner can also aid in reducing exposure. Look to reliable sources for information such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) www.coronavirus.gov, the Virginia Dept. of Health (VDH), and the Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management (VDEM). These resources give up to date, reliable, and useful information to protect you and your love ones.

Wythe County will continue to strive to provide information as available to its citizens to keep them informed and safe. We encourage citizens to make common sense decisions to lessen the impact of this virus on our community. Please reach out with questions or concerns to emergency.coordinator@wytheco.org or call 276-223-4521.

The Wythe County Administration Office will be closed to the public from April 6 through April 17, 2020. Please note the offices will be closed on April 10, 2020 for Good Friday.

County staff will be at the office and available by telephone or email.
The main number is 276-223-4500.

Utility payments can be made with a credit card via phone (276-223-4501), by U.S. Mail, or by using the drop box located to the right of the entrance.

Building Permit forms can be obtained online at http://www.wytheco.org/index.php/resources/forms and may be completed and returned via email, U.S. Mail, or via the drop box. Upon receipt of the permit, staff will contact you for payment information.

We value your cooperation and understanding. We appreciate your vigilance in practicing social distancing during this time.

We encourage you to call the main number with any questions or concerns and follow our website and social media sites for information.

-Coronavirus Business Assistance Information-
Check out the following links for updated coronavirus business resources.

Joint Industrial Development Authority website - http://wytheida.org/ 
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp 
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses