All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

West Virginia announces record number of new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, eight more deaths

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources announced Thursday that 560 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the Mountain State, a record single-day increase.

Eight additional deaths have been attributed to the disease, according to the DHHR – a 91-year old female from Wetzel County, an 86-year old male from Cabell County, an 81-year old female from Cabell County, an 89-year old female from Mercer County, a 67-year old male from Mercer County, a 71-year old female from Mercer County, an 82-year old male from Putnam County, and a 90-year old female from Summers County.

For the first time in 10 days, Upshur County did not report an increase in total cases. Thursday’s report did make several changes to the Upshur County data, however:

  • One probable case was removed from Oct. 30 and one confirmed case was added to the same date.
  • Three probable cases were removed from Nov. 2 and three confirmed cases were added to the same date.
  • Three probable cases and two confirmed cases were removed from Nov. 3.
  • One probable case and four confirmed cases were added to Nov. 4.

Upshur County fell to yellow on the daily alert map due to a drop in positivity percentage. The county is still orange by infection rate and has 56 active cases, according to the DHHR.

Free testing events are scheduled throughout Upshur County all week.

“The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reports as of 10 a.m., November 5, 2020, there have been 814,774 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 26,547 total cases and 480 deaths,” according to a press release.

The state is currently reporting record numbers of active case and hospitalizations. The cumulative positive rate has increased to 2.99% and is nearly at the 3% level Gov. Jim Justice had previously established as the benchmark for shutdown orders.

Case totals increased Thursday in every West Virginia county except: Calhoun, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Tucker, Upshur, Webster and Wirt counties.

About 5,894 West Virginia cases remain active, according DHHR data. Of the cases that are no longer active, 20,173 people have recovered and 480 have died. The daily percent positive was 3.94%.

CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (195), Berkeley (1794), Boone (439), Braxton (82), Brooke (263), Cabell (1643), Calhoun (37), Clay (70), Doddridge (75), Fayette (827), Gilmer (71), Grant (203), Greenbrier (231), Hampshire (165), Hancock (253), Hardy (113), Harrison (711), Jackson (438), Jefferson (676), Kanawha (3997), Lewis (132), Lincoln (285), Logan (821), Marion (445), Marshall (494), Mason (189), McDowell (153), Mercer (850), Mineral (294), Mingo (708), Monongalia (2434), Monroe (273), Morgan (170), Nicholas (201), Ohio (719), Pendleton (79), Pleasants (40), Pocahontas (74), Preston (249), Putnam (1073), Raleigh (916), Randolph (452), Ritchie (65), Roane (117), Summers (160), Taylor (178), Tucker (68), Tyler (68), Upshur (293), Wayne (651), Webster (38), Wetzel (264), Wirt (59), Wood (856), Wyoming (396).

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Strawberry royalty crowned as festival season takes the throne

The 83rd West Virginia Strawberry Festival began with the coronation of Queen Kourtney Jones and King Bryce Cogar, marking the start of a week of parades, entertainment, and community celebrations in Buckhannon.

Buckhannon to honor former chief Virgil Miller at 8th Annual Webb Grubb Police Officer Recognition Day

Buckhannon will honor former Police Chief and Upshur County Sheriff Virgil Miller posthumously at the 8th annual Webb Grubb Police Officer Recognition Day, adding his name to the city’s “Wall of Blue.”

City of Buckhannon announces temporary traffic updates

Buckhannon officials have closed sections of Madison and Spring Streets for the West Virginia Strawberry Festival and are reversing Maple Street’s one-way direction from May 13 to 17, urging drivers to seek alternate routes.

Buckhannon celebrates St. Joseph’s Hospital with National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week proclamation

Mayor Robbie Skinner issued a proclamation honoring National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week, recognizing the contributions of WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and its dedicated staff.

Attempted murder, arson, DUI causing death among charges in recent Upshur County indictments

A circuit court indicted area residents on a range of charges, including arson, DUI causing death, child neglect, embezzlement, drug offenses, assault, burglary, and possession of firearms, involving more than two dozen individuals.

On the City of Buckhannon Calendar: May 12-18, 2025

The City of Buckhannon announces public meeting schedules, accepts bids for city services, and reminds residents of online payment and repair reporting options.

Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force arrests seven on felony drug charges in Upshur County

The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, assisted by local law enforcement, arrested seven Buckhannon residents on felony drug charges, including methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution, with further arrests anticipated.

John Alan Keen

John Alan Keen, 63, of Horner, passed away on May 8, 2025, and will be cremated according to his wishes, with arrangements handled by Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

Buckhannon-Upshur High School’s sports schedule this week features a baseball Region I tournament game at John Marshall on Monday and the boys and girls track teams competing in the Region I Championships at Mylan Park on Thursday.

Baseball Bucs to visit John Marshall in regional baseball tournament opener

Buckhannon-Upshur, seeded fifth in the Class AAAA Region I baseball tournament, will open double-elimination regional play by visiting fourth-seeded John Marshall, under a new format eliminating sectional rounds.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for May 11, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local highlights include library events with a no-fine day, upcoming job fair and fundraiser, a student football camp, a local health department award, and more.

West Virginia Strawberry Festival kicks off its 83rd year with heartfelt ceremony and hometown pride

The 83rd Annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival opened in Jawbone Park on Saturday with community leaders celebrating decades of tradition, family, and local pride, inviting attendees to enjoy parades, food, live entertainment, and strawberry-themed festivities all week.