Hancock County Health Dept. West Virginia

09/04/2026

OFFICE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO RECENT STORM 💧🌧

09/01/2026

𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞:

Stay calm: Keep your voice steady and your body language open and supportive.

Listen actively: Let the person talk about their feelings without interrupting or trying to fix the problem right away.

Ask directly: If you suspect self-harm or su***de, ask clearly, "Are you thinking about su***de?" Asking does not plant the idea.

Ensure safety: Remove any items that could cause harm, such as weapons, sharp objects, or medications, if it is safe to do so.

Do not leave them alone: If they are in immediate danger, stay with them and call for help.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩:

Emergency services: Call 911 if there is an immediate medical or life-threatening emergency.

Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 support through the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

☎️ The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Your conversations are free and confidential.

Take care of a friend, a loved one, or yourself. Call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night. ❣️

08/31/2026

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
September CPR Classes coming up.
Call if you need to get on the schedule.
304-564-3343.

08/30/2026

WV VECTORBORNE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE REPORT
January 1-August 27, 2026

HUMAN SURVEILLANCE – TICKBORNE DISEASE
Through August 27, 2026, 2854 confirmed and probable cases of tickborne diseases (TBDs) were reported in West Virginia. The majority of cases (89.4%) were Lyme disease cases (n=2552). Several other tickborne diseases (TBD) were also reported including Alpha-Gal Syndrome, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis. All of West Virginia’s 55 counties have reported human TBD activity. The Alpha-gal Syndrome numbers here only reflect Confirmed and Probable cases while the OEPS Dashboard numbers include Confirmed, Probable and Suspect for Alpha-gal Syndrome.

08/30/2026

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) is reminding Medicaid members to take steps now to prepare for new federal eligibility requirements that will take effect in 2027.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, certain adults ages 19 through 64 enrolled in the Medicaid Adult Expansion Group will be required to complete 80 hours per month of qualifying activities to maintain Medicaid coverage.

Qualifying activities may include employment, participation in a work program, education, or volunteering. Members may combine activities to meet the 80-hour monthly requirement. Members may also meet the requirement by earning at least $580 per month. Seasonal workers may qualify based on their six-month average income.

What Medicaid Members Should Do Now
Medicaid members are encouraged to:

-Keep information up to date. Review and update contact, household, and eligibility information with DoHS.

-Report changes. Report changes in employment, income, or household circumstances through WV PATH.

-Complete required reviews. Complete Medicaid eligibility reviews and provide requested information by the stated deadlines.

-Learn about the new requirements. Visit wvmedicaidhelp.org to learn more about qualifying activities, exemptions, reporting requirements and important timelines.

Members can report changes, apply for benefits and complete eligibility reviews through WV PATH at www.wvpath.wv.gov.

For more information about the 2027 Medicaid eligibility changes, including who may be affected, qualifying activities, exemptions and what members need to do, visit wvmedicaidhelp.org or call the DoHS Customer Service Reporting Center at 1-877-716-1212.

08/26/2026

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧.

Drivers should pay extra attention to the roads, slow down, and expect the unexpected near schools and bus stops.🚗

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Slow down: Strictly follow school zone speed limits.

Stop for buses: Never pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

Stay alert: Put away cell phones and eliminate distractions.

Watch crosswalks: Look out for children who may step off the curb unexpectedly.

Expect delays: Give yourself extra travel time during morning and afternoon commutes.

𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥! 🎒🚌

08/26/2026

An estimated 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, with 13% unaware of their condition.

𝙏𝒉𝙚 𝙝𝒆𝙖𝒍𝙩𝒉 𝒅𝙚𝒑𝙖𝒓𝙩𝒎𝙚𝒏𝙩 𝙝𝒂𝙨 𝙁𝑹𝙀𝑬 𝒉𝙤𝒎𝙚 𝙃𝑰𝙑 𝙩𝒆𝙨𝒕 𝒌𝙞𝒕𝙨 𝙖𝒗𝙖𝒊𝙡𝒂𝙗𝒍𝙚--- you can test in the privacy of your own space.

Call & talk to the nurse about picking one up for your peace of mind.

Modern medicine turns HIV into a manageable chronic condition, meaning it is no longer a fatal diagnosis if treated early and properly.

Call for questions: 304-564-3343