 In response to rising COVID-19 cases, the Mingo County Health Department released guidance to help in the fight against infection. Friday we spoke with Administrator Keith Blingenship about steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. West Virginia Association of Local Health Departments actually initiated the program to slow the surge in West Virginia in other words, we're getting ready to come into the next wave of COVID cases and so we put together a little press release for many release to let the people know that we are expecting it. It will be here for two to three months and that we need to be doing everything we can to stay safe. Since the beginning of the week, Blingenship says they've had 30 cases in three days, exceeding January's highest case count per week. It includes stuff that we've always said, there's nothing new in it, but basically mask up when you're in crowded areas, especially indoors or even outdoors if you're in a crowded situation, continue social distance, continue good hygiene, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and just do those type things we've been preaching all along to the public. Although not a mandate, Blingenship says the guidance is recommended, adding that the surge may be tough in the months ahead. Based on a situation like that, we may be looking at a tough road for the next couple of months. We're above 150 cases for the past seven days in our county. We've already experienced the day before yesterday, 259 cases, which was in the press release here, which means we've knocked on the door of 300 cases for the month of August now. We're very blessed with only having one case of the Delta virus or the Delta variant in Mingo County. Sadly, we've had two deaths during the month of August. For health information regarding the COVID-19 virus, you can contact the Mingo County Health Department at 304-235-3570. For Mountaintop News, I'm Joel Porgyll.