Hello all,  Just a reminder that the regular AMS meeting for February has been cancelled because of planned absences.  That does not mean there is nothing going on!  The Town Clock is installed and a dedication ceremony is planned for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 20.  The clock will be dedicated to Frances and Bill Simmons--long time and amazing citizens of Alderson.  The Greenbrier East Band is scheduled to play
"Hail, Hail, Hail to Alderson".  How long has it been since you heard a band play that?  There is likely to be a small reception afterwards with punch and cookies.  Stay tuned!

Strawberry Festival planning is in full swing for Saturday, May 28.  Please let coordinator Sheena Pendley know if you are interested in being a vendor or participating in some other way.  You can follow their progress on their page https://www.facebook.com/aldersonstrawberryfestival/ as well as the AMS page.

Lots to look forward to!  Meanwhile, take care of yourselves and others.

M for AMS

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 UPDATE

The Greater Greenbrier COVID-19 Task Force met this morning via conference call and reports the following information. 

1. MAVERICK LABS provides free drive-up, in-car COVID testing at the State Fair parking lot ticket booth, 9:30am - 3pm Monday-Friday, and Sundays 10am-4pm. If Greenbrier County Schools are delayed or closed, Maverick Labs will also be delayed or closed. 

2. GREENBRIER VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. Covid numbers: 18 covid positive patients in house, one on ventilator. The National Guard is on site assisting with non clinical duties as we continue to experience staffing challenges. Monoclonal Antibody Therapy: Monoclonal antibody (MAB) therapy is now extremely limited. The FDA has removed the authorization for use of Regeneron and Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab (Bam/Ete) due to prevalence of the Omicron variant (now > 99% of cases nationally). Omicron is resistant to Regeneron and Bam/Ete and are no longer effective at treating the virus. Sotrovimab is an MAB that is still effective against Omicron, but supply of the drug is extremely limited. We will be getting anywhere from none to only a handful of doses on a weekly basis. We are following directions from State and Federal agencies for distribution of Sotrovimab based on patient risk factors. Distribution is being prioritized to patients at the highest level of risk for severe disease or death from COVID infection. Visitation: Visitors are permitted inside the facility on a limited basis -- one visitor per patient at a time between the hours of 11am - 8pm. After hours and on weekends, enter through the emergency department. Gift shop closed until further notice. Visitation info: https://www.gvmc.com/patients-visitors 

3. ROBERT C BYRD CLINIC. HRSA sent us an initial order of free at-home test kits. We distributed them to the community and will continue to do so as we receive them. We continue our testing in the mobile clinic, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am until noon and 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. We are now doing vaccines anytime the clinic is open; patients just need to call for an appointment. We can also do vaccines at a patient’s routine appointment; they just need to let the nurse know. We encourage everyone to be vigilant (wearing masks, distancing, isolating if sick, etc.) since COVID is still prevalent in our area. We have seen 35% of all tests since January 1st come back positive; this is the highest positivity rate we’ve encountered during the pandemic.  

4. RAINELLE MEDICAL CENTER. Calling to make an appointment for COVID testing or a vaccine is the best option (304-438-6188). COVID testing is available everyday by appointment. We have all Covid vaccines available.  COVID test results continue to take 48-72 hours or sometimes longer to return due to high volumes. Our positivity rate is beginning to show a decline. We have a limited supply of the antiviral medications in our pharmacies at Rainelle and Maxwelton, and we will also fill these orders for non-patients.  RMC is still requiring masks for entry into our facilities. 

5. COMMITTEE ON AGING. Our centers remain closed for activities and meals (Fairlea and Rupert), but we continue to offer in-home/delivery services. We are also continuing to provide all regular services. Masks are required at our facilities.   

6. MEETING SCHEDULE. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve adjusted our meeting schedule depending on the nature of the situation. We will be scaling back to meeting every mother week at this point. Our next meeting will be March 1 at 10am.  

Submitted by Senator Stephen Baldwin, chair of the task force.