Leitchfield Water Treatment Plant Supervisor remains in ICU after COVID-19 diagnosis

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Grayson County Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson offered a quick update on the condition of Darren Dennison, Supervisor of the Leitchfield Water Treatment Plant, who has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19).

Dennison was officially diagnosed on March 31, about 24 hours after he was placed on a ventilator at a Bowling Green hospital. Henderson said at Thursday’s COVID-19 briefing that Dennison remains in ICU, as he asked, “for everyone to remember Darren Dennison.”

“He’s a friend of mine, a really close family friend and he has COVID-19 … everyone please remember him in your thoughts and prayers.”

Multiple sources said Dennison last worked at the plant on Thursday, March 19. He was hospitalized on Friday, March 27, after he began feeling ill earlier in the week.

Utilities officials said they were notified on Wednesday, April 1, of Dennison’s positive test.

According to Leitchfield Utilities Superintendent Dwight Embry, there have been no issues at the water plant related to Dennison contracting COVID-19. About three weeks ago, officials took multiple steps to limit contact between the “seven or eight” Leitchfield Water Treatment Plant employees.

Dennison, who has won multiple state-wide awards for his work managing the plant, has served as supervisor of the facility since 2005.

His positive COVID-19 test is not reflected in Grayson County’s coronavirus totals, as he does not reside in the county and was tested in Warren County.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”

(Photo: Leitchfield Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Darren Dennison)

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com