Continued COVID-19 Coverage
Latest Updates
Friday, January 16, 2023
Masking mandate reinstated
Due to the sustained high level of community spread of COVID-19, universal masking is in place for patients, visitors, faculty and staff at all times at Marshall Health locations.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2022
Marshall Health, Cabell Huntington Hospital announce COVID-19 testing changes
The COVID-19 drive-through testing location at Marshall University Medical Center/Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) as well as Marshall Health’s COVID-19 hotline will conclude operations at noon Friday, April 22. The closure is part of a transition to a clinic-based testing model at Marshall Health and Mountain Health Network.
COVID-19 testing will be available for Marshall Health and Mountain Health Network patients by appointment at primary care locations throughout the region. Testing is also available for patients with symptoms at Marshall Pediatrics NowCare at 5170 U.S. Route 60, Cabell Huntington Hospital Family Urgent Care at 2 Stonecrest Drive and St. Mary’s Urgent Care at 2827 Fifth Ave., all in Huntington.
Pre-operative testing at Cabell Huntington Hospital will now be done at Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) on the ground floor of the hospital. Testing is still required for inpatient procedures but is no longer mandatory for outpatient surgeries if the patient is not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
Free drive-through community testing remains available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, 703 Seventh Ave. in Huntington.
Marshall Health and CHH first offered drive-through COVID-19 community testing in March 2020 and have conducted more than 70,000 tests since that time. The collective effort has included individuals across multiple departments at both organizations, including family medicine, pathology, the CHH laboratory and more.
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022
New Marshall Health COVID-19 testing tent, hotline hours effective April 4
Effective Monday, April 4, Marshall Health’s COVID-19 drive-thru testing site at Marshall University Medical Center/Cabell Huntington Hospital will be open 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. The drive-thru is located at 1600 Medical Center Drive next to the Marshall Health and Cabell Huntington Hospital parking garage.
The Marshall Health COVID-19 Hotline at 304-696-2900 will also now be open 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday to answer questions and concerns about COVID-19.
Additionally, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration COVID-19 Uninsured Program no longer accepts claims for COVID-19 testing and treatment (effective March 22, 2022) nor claims for vaccine administration (effective April 5, 2022). Any individual without insurance will be responsible for the entire cost of COVID-19 testing, similar to any other medical test performed.
Free COVID-19 testing for all community members is available at the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, at 703 Seventh Avenue in Huntington, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Jan. 17, 2022
COVID-19 testing tent closed Jan. 17, hotline remains open
Marshall Health’s COVID-19 drive-thru testing site at 1600 Medical Center Drive in Huntington will be closed Monday, Jan. 17, due to inclement weather. The COVID-19 Hotline (304-696-2900) remains open to answer questions and concerns about COVID-19.
Jan. 6, 2022
COVID-19 testing tent and hotline closed Jan. 7
Marshall Health’s COVID-19 hotline and drive-thru testing site at 1600 Medical Center Drive in Huntington will be closed Friday, Jan. 7, due to inclement weather.
Dec. 22, 2021
COVID-19 testing tent and hotline announce holiday hours
The Marshall Health drive-thru COVID-19 testing tent and Marshall Health COVID-19 hotline will be closed Thursday, Dec. 23, Friday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 31. Both the tent and hotline will operate normal hours all other days.
The testing tent, located at 1600 Medical Center Drive in Huntington, is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The hotline (304-696-2900) is staffed by Marshall Health nurses 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Oct. 27, 2021
Pediatric monoclonal antibody infusions available at Hoops Family Children's Hospital
Hoops Family Children’s Hospital (HFCH) at Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH), a member of Mountain Health Network (MHN), is now providing pediatric monoclonal antibody infusions for the treatment of COVID-19. Hoops is the only facility in West Virginia to provide a dedicated pediatric space for COVID-19 monoclonal antibody infusions.
“Monoclonal antibody infusions have been very successful in reducing hospitalizations in high-risk COVID-19 patients with mild illness,” said Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist Mariana Lanata, MD, FAAP, Hoops medical director of antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “We are pleased to be able to offer this service to the children of our community in a space dedicated just for them.”
Oct. 22, 2021
COVID-19 boosters available for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines
Yesterday, the CDC expanded eligibility for boosters to those who previously received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines.
The Moderna booster dose is 50 mcg, or 1/2 of the initial two doses, and can be given at least six (6) months after the second dose. The J&J booster is indicated two (2) months after the first dose. Additional guidance from the CDC is available at https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html.
Boosters begin today, Friday, Oct. 22, at any Marshall Health location where the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available. Boosters for the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine also remain available. Find a vaccination location.
Additionally, the CDC authorized “mix and match,” meaning the first and/or second dose could be one type of the vaccine and the booster shot could be a different type. Additional guidance regarding who would most benefit from mix and match is forthcoming.
Sept. 27, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster Clinic available this week at Marshall University Medical Center
Marshall Health is offering a dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster Clinic this week only:
Marshall University Medical Center
Harless Auditorium (ground floor beside the Marshall Pharmacy)
1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021
1 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 29 - Friday, Oct. 1, 2021
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
No appointment necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Employees and eligible community members welcome.
Additional vaccine locations may be found at https://www.marshallhealth.org/patients-visitors/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccination-sites/. Hours, walk-in/appointment information vary by location.
The CDC recommends:
- people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- people aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- people aged 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
- people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
Boosters are only available for those who already received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Additional guidance from the CDC on booster doses for Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and information for mixing and matching different types of vaccines is expected in the coming weeks.
Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0924-booster-recommendations-.html.
Sept. 13, 2021
Marshall Health reopens COVID-19 hotline
Amid the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, the Marshall Health COVID-19 Information Line reopens Monday, September 13, at 8 a.m. The dedicated call line at 304-696-2900 is staffed by Marshall Health nurses from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hotline is open to the general public, particularly for patients who think they may have been exposed to the virus.
May 17, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine now available at select Marshall Health locations
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to patients and community members at several Marshall Health clinic and pharmacy locations in Huntington.
At the Marshall University Medical Center, located at 1600 Medical Center Drive, vaccines are available at:
- Marshall Family Medicine offers the Moderna (18 and older), Johnson & Johnson (18 and older) and Pfizer (12 and older) vaccines by appointment only. To schedule, call 304-691-1100.
- Marshall Pediatrics offers the Pfizer vaccine to ages 12 to 18 by appointment only. To schedule, call 304-691-1300.
- Marshall Pharmacy offers the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to ages 18 and older. Walk-ins are welcome 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No appointment necessary.
At the Erma Ora Byrd Clinical Center, located at 1249 15th Street, Marshall Internal Medicine offers the Moderna (18 and older), Johnson & Johnson (18 and older) and Pfizer (12 and older) vaccines for appointment only. To schedule, call 304-691-1000.
April 8, 2021
Marshall Health closing COVID-19 hotline
Due to declining call volume, the Marshall Health COVID-19 Information Line will close this Friday, April 9, at 4 p.m. Please direct any future questions to your primary care provider or other available call centers:
- WV DHHR 24/7 Hotline: 800-887-4304
- WV DHHR Vaccine Hotline: 833-734-0965
- Cabell Huntington Health Department Call Center: 304-526-3383
Marshall Health nurses have fielded nearly 8,800 COVID-specific calls from patients and community members since the hotline opened in March 2020.
February 15, 2021
COVID-19 testing tent closed Tuesday, Feb. 16-18
Due to freezing temperatures and expected winter weather conditions, our drive-thru COVID-19 testing site will close at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, and will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 18. Normal operating hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) will resume Friday, Feb. 19.
As weather events evolve, additional closures may occur, so please monitor our website, marshallhealth.org, and social media channels for updates. Please follow the advice of all Emergency Services announcements related to this weather event. For questions or concerns, please call the Marshall Health COVID-19 Information Line at 304-696-2900.
January 12, 2021
New automated system for COVID-19 testing results
We know how important it is that you receive your COVID-19 test results as quickly as possible. Cabell Huntington Hospital's Laboratory Services are taking steps to expedite the process for your health and the health and safety of your loved ones.
If you received a COVID-19 test at the tents outside Marshall University Medical Center/Cabell Huntington Hospital, you will now receive your test result through an automated phone call or text message. Please do not call the hospital for your test result. To ensure your privacy, they will only be given through the automated call/text.
December 4, 2020
Dr. Krista Denning, chair of pathology, and Dr. Kara Willenburg, chief of infectious disease, at Marshall Health and the School of Medicine offer these insights on the self-administered, at-home COVID-19 testing kits:
“When you need tested, our top goals are accuracy and turnaround time. The nasopharyngeal swab continues to be the gold standard in testing. We also want testing results turned around as quickly as possible for timely contact tracing. We are fortunate that our community has convenient testing locations that use the nasopharyngeal swab. Current turnaround time for tests performed at Marshall Health is currently less than 24 hours using real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction).
Take home tests are a good option for those in rural areas who don’t have immediate access to in-person testing. After the test is mailed in, however, it’s important to know that it can take up to 72 hours before results are received.”
October 12, 2020
Mountain Health Network implements no visitation policy in hospitals
Mountain Health Network has implemented a no visitation policy in both Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary's Medical Center, effective 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12, in response to COVID-19.
For both CHH and SMMC hospital visitation, the following restrictions are in place until further notice:
- No one will be permitted to accompany or visit a patient in the hospital with few exceptions. This restriction also applies to many persons previously considered essential caregivers.
- One essential caregiver will be permitted to visit or remain with patients who are on pediatrics, labor and delivery, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and the Neonatal Therapeutic Unit (NTU) subject to the policies of each unit.
- Compassionate exceptions to this restriction for patients nearing the end of life are to be authorized on a case-by-case basis.
August 25, 2020
Dr. Andrea Lauffer to serve as Chief Health Officer for Cabell County Schools
Cabell County Schools is pleased to announce that the Board of Education has approved Superintendent Ryan Saxe’s recommendation to secure a Chief Health Officer (CHO) for the school district. Through an agreement with Marshall Health, Andrea M. Lauffer, M.D., will provide the Cabell County Schools leadership team and Board of Education with expert guidance as students return to school and throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
Lauffer, a board-certified pediatrician and internist, is an assistant professor in the departments of pediatrics and internal medicine at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. She sees patients at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital and serves as director of the advocacy rotation for the school’s new pediatric hospital medicine fellowship.
May 29, 2020
COVID-19 drive-thru test site on Fifth Avenue closing May 29
Friday, May 29, is the last day of operation for the COVID-19 drive-thru testing center in the parking lot of St. Mary’s Center for Education at 2853 5th Avenue.
“Based on declining numbers and additional in-house testing availability at local hospitals, we are closing the Fifth Avenue testing location,” said Larry D. Dial, M.D., chief medical officer for Marshall Health.
The Marshall Health COVID-19 information hotline (304-696-2900) and drive-thru testing site at Cabell Huntington Hospital / Marshall University Medical Center will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Since the two drive-thru testing locations opened in March, more than 2,600 tests have been administered.
For patients with symptoms of COVID-19, health officials continue to recommend the importance of calling their provider rather than coming to a clinic or coming to a drive-thru test site. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms—fever, cough and shortness of breath—or who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 can also call the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources at its 24/7, toll-free hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or the Cabell-Huntington Health Department at 304-526-6544, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
May 21, 2020
Marshall Health COVID-19 testing sites, hotline closed for Memorial Day
New hours begin Tuesday, May 26
In observance of Memorial Day, Marshall Health’s COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites and information hotline will be closed Monday, May 25.
Starting Tuesday, May 26, hours for both the Marshall Health COVID-19 information hotline (304-696-2900) and drive-thru testing site next to the Marshall Health and Cabell Huntington Hospital parking garage will change to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Drive-thru hours at the St. Mary's Center for Education testing site will remain 1 to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.
May 1, 2020
Marshall Health clinics reopen with additional safety measures
A number of Marshall Health’s clinics will begin increasing in-person patient visits starting Monday, May 4.
The decision to reopen follows more than three consecutive days of cumulative COVID-19 positive test results in West Virginia below 3 percent and West Virginia Governor Jim Justice’s Executive Order 30-20. Patients can expect a number of safety measures, consistent with those outlined by the West Virginia Board of Medicine, implemented across Marshall Health’s more than 70 clinics. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Staggered appointment times
- Pre-screenings at clinic entrances
- Appointment check-ins by phone or text from the patient’s vehicle
- Modified waiting room setups to promote social distancing
- Additional hand sanitizing stations
- COVID-19 testing for all elective procedures
Isolation protocols for patients experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and heightened cleaning procedures continue to be in place as well. Specific departments may also have additional safeguards in place to protect at-risk patients.
April 27, 2020 // 12:15 p.m.
Updated hours for drive-thru testing sites
Beginning Tuesday, April 28, drive-thru testing hours at the St. Mary's Center for Education drive-thru will be 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Marshall University Medical Center/Cabell Huntington Hospital drive-thru remains open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
March 27, 2020 // 4:30 p.m.
Marshall Health offers drive-through testing at two locations
Drive-through testing for individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, new cough or new shortness of breath are available in the parking lots of the following Huntington locations:
- St. Mary's Center for Education | 304-696-2220
2853 5th Avenue, Huntington
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday - Marshall University Medical Center/Cabell Huntington Hospital | 304-696-2900
1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
Individuals should bring their insurance information and a valid ID. A physician order is not required; however, only those meeting the testing criteria during screening will be tested.
Patients and residents of the Huntington area may also contact Marshall Health's COVID-19 Information Line at 304-696-2900 to speak with a nurse, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
March 20, 2020 // 8:45 a.m.
Marshall Pediatrics is committed to the health and safety of our patients and their families. To that end, we are making changes to how we serve our patients in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
As outlined below, starting Monday, March 23, 2020, we will begin seeing sick patients at some locations/times and well/routine patients at other locations/times. These changes are being instituted to keep our patients and their families safe and healthy by limiting any possible exposure to COVID-19 to the fullest extent possible. Non-essential routine visits will be rescheduled as outlined below. You will be contacted by Marshall Pediatrics staff if you need to reschedule.
These changes will be in place until we otherwise notify you. During this time, our physicians and staff will be working different shifts/locations than you may be accustomed. We ask for your patience during this time as you may not see your regular physician. Rest assured that all our doctors meet the high standards of Marshall Pediatrics. Further, we need you to know that the time will come when we get through this and get “back to normal.” When that happens, your regular doctor will resume her/his regular hours and her/his regular office location.
- Main Office (Marshall University Medical Center) - This office is open for sick visits and pediatric specialty visits only. Any visit with a specialist will still be at this location unless you are contacted and told otherwise. This includes pediatric allergy, pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric cardiology. All non-specialty visits at this location will be for sick visits only. This office location will not see routine visits or well-child checks until further notice.
- Marshall Pediatrics NowCare - This office location will continue as normal with no changes in hours.
- Marshall Pediatrics - Route 60 - The office at HIMG beside our NowCare (the usual location of Dr. Naegele, Dr. Dunlap and Dr. Dolan) will see sick visits only. This location will not see routine visits or well-child checks until further notice.
- Marshall Pediatrics - Third Avenue - This office location will see routine visits and well-child checks only until further notice. There will be no sick visits at this location. We are also reducing the type and number of routine visits we see at this location to only those essential vaccinations in the first four years of life. Dr. Lewis will continue to see patients in the rear portion of this office.
- Marshall Pediatrics - Teays Valley - This office location will see well-child and routine visits only in the morning and sick visits only in the afternoon. As at Third Avenue, we are reducing the type and number of routine visits we see at this location to only those essential vaccinations in the first four years of life. Any patient of Dr. Klimek will be contacted regarding any potential changes.
When coming to any office visit in which you are showing symptoms of respiratory illness, please wear a face mask if you have one available. If you do not have one available, you will be screened when you arrive and one will be provided to you.
March 19, 2020 // 10:15 a.m.
As a way to keep both our patients and staff healthy, screenings are now underway at the entrances of the following Marshall Health clinic locations as well as a number of our satellite offices. Patients and visitors will be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) prior to entering the building.
- Byrd Clinical Center - Staff are meeting patients at a tent near the entrance and providing them with a mask, as needed. Screenings are available 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.
- Marshall University Medical Center – Patients and visitors are asked to only use the main entrance at the medical center. Screenings are available 24 hours, Monday – Friday.
- Marshall Health-Teays Valley – Screenings are available at the entrance 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Drive-through testing for patients with a physician order begins today, March 19, at 1 p.m., in the parking lot of the St. Mary’s Center for Education at 2853 5th Avenue in Huntington. Drive-through testing is ONLY available for individuals with a valid order from a physician. Individuals should bring their physician order, insurance information and a valid ID with them. Beginning Friday, March 20, the testing site will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. A physician order can be obtained through a screening process via your primary care physician or by calling Marshall Health's COVID-19 Information Line at 304-696-2900.
March 16, 2020 // 10:10 a.m.
Marshall Health has implemented the following policies in all its clinic locations until further notice:
- Patients with scheduled appointments are encouraged to come to their visits alone. However, if necessary, visitors will be limited to one per patient in the clinic or facility at a time. Likewise, no more than one person may accompany a child to an appointment.
Exceptions to these restrictions may be made on a case-by-case basis based on special circumstances and/or prior approval of departmental leadership. Patients should call their doctor's office in advance of their appointment for consideration.
Patients with symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or those who have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 should call the Marshall Health COVID-19 Information Line at 304-696-2900 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or the West Virginia DHHR Hotline at 1-800-887-4304 (24/7, toll-free) prior to coming to visit a doctor. If symptoms are severe and emergency care is recommended, patients should provide advance notice to EMS or call ahead to the hospital emergency department prior to arrival.
March 11, 2020 // 1:38 p.m.
Marshall University announces plans to temporarily transition to distance instruction due to COVID-19. Marshall will suspend in-person classes next week—March 16-20—to allow faculty to prepare for altered course delivery following Spring Break. The week of suspended classes will be followed by the scheduled Spring Break March 23-27. Beginning Monday, March 30, all class instruction will be delivered non-face-to-face. These distance methods will vary from class to class, and may include online, e-mail or other means.
Marshall Health has set up a dedicated phone line at 304-696-2900 for the general public, particularly for patients who think they may have been exposed to the virus. The line is staffed by health care professionals from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
March 10, 2020 // 4:30 p.m.
Marshall University continues COVID-19 preparations. For now, the university’s academic calendar remains unchanged. University officials have started communicating with deans and faculty about how to prepare should it become necessary to adopt alternate learning options for any portion of the current semester. For example, it may be prudent at some point in the semester to change to non-face-to-face learning options and then switch back to face-to-face toward the end of the semester. We hope these modifications to teaching methods will not be necessary, but we want to be prepared.
There have been no changes to residence hall or dining accommodations for students remaining on campus during Spring Break. All services will be available as planned.
Decisions regarding the cancellation of university events and programs are being made on a case-by-case basis. To date, the only event that has been affected is this weekend’s HerdCon, which was cancelled on the advice of the university’s chief medical officer.
March 9, 2020 // 4:45 p.m.
Marshall University extends international travel ban, establishes travel registry. Marshall has extended the prohibition on university-sponsored international travel through at least April 30. As Spring Break approaches, students, faculty and staff who have plans to travel either internationally or to affected areas in the U.S. are strongly urged to reconsider their travel. For members of the Marshall community who do travel internationally, the university has created a mandatory international travel registry.
March 9, 2020 // 11:30 a.m.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources establishes information hotline to address public and medical provider questions and concerns regarding COVID-19. Operators are available 24/7, toll-free at 1-800-887-4304 to provide accurate information about COVID-19, the risk to the public and the state’s response.