The Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department announced Tuesday afternoon that a fourth county resident has died of COVID-19.

The health department did not release any other information about the individual. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Upshur County has increased to 264, with 48 currently active, according to the release.

Here’s the full press release:

Upshur County currently has 260 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and four probable cases; 48 cases are currently active. We have had four deaths, and 212 cases have recovered, including one probable case.

The ages range from 2 years old to 85 years old. Do these ages represent your age group? Please do your part.

Our staff has been working on contact tracing diligently, this is a very time consuming and labor intensive, and is a State of W.Va. and CDC requirement. We are reporting the accurate numbers for Upshur County.

These numbers are the most current as of 3 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2020.

We would like to encourage the residents of Upshur County to follow the guidelines and help keep our families and friends safe. Please be diligent. If we want to keep kids in school and the other activities to keep everyone safe and healthy, we need to be diligent.

Residents PLEASE follow state and CDC Guidelines that will keep family members and community safe. UBHD also wants to make it clear that anyone who is waiting for COVID-19 test results should remain self-quarantined to protect their family members and working partners.

Everyone who can work from home should take advantage of this opportunity, only making trips outside for essential errands.

Other measures that individuals should include:

• Wear a MASK
• Keep a safe distance (6 feet) or more
• Wash hands often
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Stay home when able
• Please treat everyone as infectious, protect yourself and follow the guidelines put out by the CDC
• Avoid hot spot vacation destinations
• If you are QUARANTINED, DO AS INSTRUCTED

We must listen to our governor and health officials and help reduce the spread of this virus.

If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 or have recently traveled to a community where there is ongoing spread of COVID-19 and develop symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and exposure. They will decide whether you need to be tested. Currently there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill may be able to isolate and care for themselves at home.

Testing can be obtained locally by calling your private provider and they can send an order for lab testing. Please call this number, 304-473-2161, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., BEFORE going to the hospital for testing. Please help us keep our doctor offices and hospitals safe.

The symptoms of COVID-19 which may appear 2-14 days after exposure are: Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath, Loss of Taste or Smell.