Towers building back open

The “quarantine” has been lifted at the Appalachian Towers public housing facility in Appalachia.

Monday morning, Town Manager Fred Luntsford confirmed on the town hall Facebook page that the designated “volunteer quarantine” period had expired that morning.

In accordance with an agreement between the Wise County Health Department, Wise County Housing Authority and town officials, he wrote, “the police line barrier has been removed. This does not mean that the residents of the Towers or any visitors should abandon the fact that social distancing is still in affect and good hygiene should still be practiced.”

Luntsford continued: “It is, I am sure, a relief to the residents that conditions have improved there but we all want it to stay that way. It will be a blessing to see our neighbors be able to get out for some fresh air for a change.”

With help from local companies, churches and organizations, Appalachia Fire Department had been delivering food and other supplies to Towers residents since a “precaution zone” was established there last April 10.

That day, Luntsford, Wise County Housing Authority Executive Director Monty L. Salyer and Wise County/Norton Commonwealth Attorney Chuck Slemp released a joint statement that restrictions had been put in place at the Towers in response to recent positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Appalachia police established a barricade and police line perimeter around the facility.

The protective zone was to be in place for 14 days or until the restrictions were lifted per the recommendation of the federal Centers for Disease Control and the director of the LENOWISCO Health District, officials said.

The release explained that the town received a letter from health district Director Dr. Eleanor Sue Cantrell, stating that as of April 5, “all residents of the Appalachia Towers Building ‘were quarantined due to their risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection.’ These residents are requested to remain in their homes for their safety and the safety of others.”

Cantrell has noted in previous articles that the state health department does not publicly identify the geographic location of positive COVID-19 cases within the county.