All 50 states now have virus cases: West Virginia the last
John Raby | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 8 months AGO
Lori Harper, manager, wipes down tables in the dining room area of the McDonald's on Prince Street in Beckley Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020. McDonald's closed off the dining section and will provide drive-through service along with walk-in orders placed at the front counter. Customers are not allowed to eat their meals in the restaurant because of the coronavirus. (Rick Barbero/The Register-Herald via AP)
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice speaks during a news conference at the State Capitol in Charleston, W.Va., Monday March 16, 2020. Justice declared a state of emergency in response to the new coronavirus, even as West Virginia remains the last state in the U.S. without a confirmed case. (F. Brian Ferguson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP)
Jeremiah O'Brien, manager of The Block, a restaurant in Charleston, W.Va., wipes down tables after closing Tuesday March 17, 2020=, ahead of an expected announcement of mandatory eatery closings in the state. (F. Brian Ferguson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP)
Students Erin West, left, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., and Jessie Wilcox, of Charleston, W.V., talk as they sit on North Beach Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Beach goers are keeping a safe distance as they enjoy the Florida weather. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Hub Cafe' employee Chloe Mansheim waits to answer the phone for curbside meal orders in Lewisburg, W.Va., Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The after school gathering place has temporarily closed its indoor seating area due to the coronavirus threat but are still offering free take-out meals for students. The location is able to offer 40-50 free meals a day. (Jenny Harnish/The Register-Herald via AP)
Jonathan Harbinson gets his temperature taken by Dee Spencer, accounting assistant at the Beckley Raleigh County Community Action Head Start Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020 in Beckley, WV. All employees and visitors are requiired to have their temperture taken when they enter the building and if it shows up 100.4 or above you will not be allowed to stay. This is being done because of the coronavirus and currently know one was denied from coming in. (Rick Barbero/The Register-Herald via AP)
Pam Todorovich, right, hands Brenda Straw, of Beckley, a coffe at the McDonald's on Prince Street in Beckley Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020. McDonald's closed off the dining section and will provide drive-through service along with walk-in orders placed at the front counter. Customers are not allowed to eat their meals in the restaurant because of the coronavirus. (Rick Barbero/The Register-Herald via AP)
Lewisburg Public Library Assistant Director Christy Carver stands next to a cart offering tax forms, free paperbacks and wireless passwords Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Lewisburg, W.Va. The library will offer curbside service only due to the coronavirus threat and waive all fines. (Jenny Harnish/The Register-Herald via AP)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — All 50 U.S. states now have confirmed cases of the new coronavirus as West Virginia's governor announced the first positive test in his state on Tuesday evening.
Gov. Jim Justice said the person with the virus is in the state's Eastern Panhandle, a region close to Washington, D.C., though he didn't disclose the county where it was reported.
Justice used a televised address to announce new restrictions, ordering bars, restaurants and casinos to close with the except of carry-out food services. He did not address delivery services.
"This is real and it's really concerning," the governor said.
Moments before he went on camera and while the audio was turned on, Justice loudly cleared his throat, then whispered jokingly, “I've got the virus.” The portion of the video before he went on camera was later deleted.
But his tone was serious during his eight-minute speech, telling residents to follow experts' advice, including staying out of crowds, washing hands and keeping at least 6 feet (about 2 meters) away from other people.
“Our power to combat this disease is being apart from one another," he said.
Justice had warned earlier that it was only a matter of time before a confirmed case would be documented in the state. He and state health officials has repeatedly expressed frustration over limited testing nationwide.
Both Justice and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin have noted the virus could be especially damaging in West Virginia because of the state's elderly population and high percentage of people with existing health problems. About 20 percent of West Virginia residents are age 65 and older.
West Virginia health officials said tests have been conducted so far on 137 people. There have been 122 negative cases and 14 were still pending as of Tuesday evening.
Justice is following the lead of governors from surrounding states who have shut down or limited access to businesses including bars, restaurants, gyms or movie theaters.
Previously, Justice declared a state of emergency, closed schools statewide until at least March 27, requested that nursing homes limit visitors and suspended state high school basketball tournaments. Justice is a coach of one of the participating girls teams.
State hospitals have restricted patient visits, universities have temporarily eliminated face-to-face instruction in favor of online teaching, and the state Supreme Court has suspended all but emergency hearings until April 10.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and the vast majority recover in several weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause severe illness, including pneumonia.
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Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.