On Friday, April 3, 2020, the county health officer asked residents to stay indoors as much as possible over a warm, sunny weekend and to cut down on trips out.
The health officer pointed to heavy traffic at the Southridge shopping area and long lines at large stores. Confirmed cases in the county that week included an infant and a pregnant woman. Pregnant women were advised to make delivery plans with their doctor or midwife.
News reports gave about 56 confirmed cases in Kanawha County and 237 statewide that afternoon. Two days later the governor added Kanawha County to his COVID-19 hotspot order, which limited gatherings to five people.