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

Two more Upshur County COVID-19 cases identified Friday

BUCKHANNON — Two additional cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Upshur County on Friday, according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

The Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department was closed Friday, June 19, due to the West Virginia Day holiday, but the DHHR’s 5 p.m. press release included two more cases, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases up to 12.

The DHHR release also indicated one additional case was confirmed in Lewis County on Friday and two in Randolph County. A total of 50 new cases were reported statewide Friday.

“Please slow down, limit travel, follow CDC guidelines, use a face mask if at all possible,” the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department posted on Facebook Friday evening. “We cannot continue to pass this infectious disease among the residents of Upshur County. We have a vulnerable population, let’s protect them, they are our loved ones.”

As a result in the uptick in cases locally, Create Buckhannon recently announced its decision to cancel the entire season of Festival Fridays.

“Create Buckhannon made the decision to cancel the entire season 9 of Festival Fridays due to an increase in COVID-19 cases,” the group wrote on its Facebook page Thursday. “We thank you for your support and look forward to Season 9 in 2021. Stay safe, wash your hands and practice social distancing as we all weather this storm.”

During his Friday COVID-19 press conference, Governor Jim Justice urged all West Virginians — and particularly church-goers — to wear masks.

“Absoutely, you have got to wear a mask,” said the governor, who stopped short of making mask-wearing mandatory. “You have got to stay every other pew. For crying out loud, if someone’s not doing it (wearing a mask), say something. Please protect yourself. “

“It’s not worth it to be standing by watching a friend or family member in a hospital bed who is struggling to breathe,” he added.

Justice said any West Virginians returning from the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina should get tested for COVID-19.

Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s coronavirus ‘czar’ claimed that if 80 percent of people complied by wearing masks, that would be the equivalent of having a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19.

No additional deaths were reported in the DHHR’s 5 p.m. report.

“The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reports as of 5 p.m. on June 19, 2020, there have been 146,545 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 2,468 total cases and 88 deaths,” the release states.

CASES PER COUNTY (Case confirmed by lab test/Probable case): Barbour (11/0), Berkeley (409/18), Boone (20/0), Braxton (3/0), Brooke (5/1), Cabell (77/3), Calhoun (2/0), Clay (10/0), Fayette (56/0), Gilmer (10/0), Grant (15/1), Greenbrier (42/0), Hampshire (40/0), Hancock (19/2), Hardy (40/1), Harrison (48/1), Jackson (141/0), Jefferson (210/5), Kanawha (253/8), Lewis (15/0), Lincoln (5/0), Logan (21/0), Marion (51/2), Marshall (36/1), Mason (15/0), McDowell (6/0), Mercer (16/0), Mineral (51/2), Mingo (11/3), Monongalia (135/14), Monroe (8/1), Morgan (19/1), Nicholas (7/0), Ohio (66/1), Pendleton (12/1), Pleasants (3/1), Pocahontas (21/1), Preston (37/6), Putnam (40/1), Raleigh (28/1), Randolph (148/0), Ritchie (2/0), Roane (11/0), Summers (1/0), Taylor (12/1), Tucker (5/0), Tyler (3/0), Upshur (12/1), Wayne (105/1), Wetzel (9/0), Wirt (4/0), Wood (52/4), Wyoming (7/0).

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Former Buckhannon mayor sentenced to decade in prison for child pornography offense

David Walter McCauley, former Buckhannon mayor, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and 10 years supervised release for child pornography involving a 17-year-old boy, following an FBI-led investigation.

American Legion Post 7 cancels Flag Retirement Ceremony due to rain

The American Legion Post 7 has canceled its June 14 Flag Retirement Ceremony because of expected rain and thunderstorms, and will reschedule the event for a later date.

Sandra Louise Collins Garrison

Sandra Louise Collins Garrison, a longtime educator in Buckhannon, is remembered by family and former students following her death at age 73, with funeral services set for June 18 at Way of Holiness Church.
LUCAS Truck

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Rock Cave, Weston, and Buckhannon

LUCAS, WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, will offer low-dose CT scans in Rock Cave, Weston, and Buckhannon in July for insured and eligible uninsured patients by appointment.

Man arrested for allegedly attempting to cash unauthorized check at BC Bank in Buckhannon

Christian Lyons, 47, of Ashford, was arrested on a felony charge after allegedly attempting to cash a check without authorization at a Buckhannon bank, with surveillance and account details helping police identify him.
Summer basketball

Summer Basketball League continues to grow under UCRC director Mitchell Shaw

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League, overseen by UCRC director Mitchell Shaw, is thriving and expanding with 18 teams and 183 players, offering organized, community-focused competition and new sponsorship-driven prizes in Buckhannon.

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

Local highlights include a June 28 Glow Stick Party at James Curry Library, Upshur Schools’ virtual learning signups, BUHS rescheduled Alumni Soccer Game and a debut novel by Chantelle Kerr.

Upshur Update: Catch up on the latest local news in our June 11, 2025 podcast

The Upshur Update highlights the return of the Almost Heaven BBQ Bash, pool openings with new inclusive programs, community achievements in literacy and sports, student honors, local recognitions, and upcoming summer events in Buckhannon and Upshur County.

‘It’s the Small Things that Count’ – Lively pens book about daughter Megan

Alisa Mauk Lively has written “It’s the Small Things that Count,” a book celebrating the life and impact of her late daughter Megan, with proceeds benefiting Upshur County Special Olympics.