Additional information about COVID-19 and what West Virginia is doing to combat the virus can be found on Coronavirus.wv.gov.

A list of all of Gov. Justice's actions and executive orders related to COVID-19 are also available online.

Gov. Justice has also issued an executive order, formalizing all of the May 18 reopenings.

Businesses included in each phase of the Governor's reopening plan, West Virginia Strong – The Comeback, are not required to resume operations on any specific date. The plan provides the option for reopening for specific businesses, but only if they are able to do so safely.

The plan, which was developed with input from the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and the West Virginia National Guard, is providing free optional testing to all residents in several counties that are experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 transmission.

Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Marion, Mineral, and Monongalia counties have also been identified as areas with vulnerable populations. Testing efforts will take place in these areas in the near future.

“I ask that you’ll join Cathy and I in keeping this National Guardsman in your thoughts and prayers,” Gov. Justice said. “There’s just been a lot of tough news right now. But we’ve got to find a way, as tough, strong, and faithful West Virginians to be able to withstand these tough times.”

Lt. Col. Nasser served as Mission Support Group commander at the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg.

“Our police officers give so much and, for some crazy reason, we have gotten in a situation where a lot of people are disrespectful to the first people we call when we have a problem,” Gov. Justice said. “I would encourage all of us to think about how important they are to us.

“Please, in remembrance of those that we've lost and in respect of all of those who are giving us so much all the time, please remember to be thankful.”

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG, is a rare brain tumor that affects between 150 and 300 children in the United States each year. At this time there is no known cure. DIPG is the leading cause in childhood death due to brain tumors, with a median survival rate of eight to 11 months.

“This is so rare that it’s so important to make people aware all across this state in any way we can,” Gov. Justice said. “And just we hope and pray, someday soon, we’ll have a cure.”

West Virginia continues to excel in several metrics compared to its surrounding states and the national average. View the latest COVID-19 data at Coronavirus.wv.gov.

“Can you just image the work that’s gone in to send out half-a-billion dollars in a month-and-a-half,” Gov. Justice said. “It’s amazing. I know we’ve still got people that are waiting and, to me, until every rock has been turned, we’re not done. But kudos to Workforce West Virginia, the National Guard, and all their teams. You’ve done a lot of good work.”

Every West Virginian who does not respond to the Census represents a loss of $20,000 in federal funds over the next 10 years for the state and its local communities. The funds can go toward things like healthcare, education, infrastructure, school lunch programs, and more.

Be counted in minutes: 2020census.gov.