There are now 21 people in Kentucky who have tested positive for the new coronavirus (COVID-19).
COVID-19 cases have now been diagnosed in seven Kentucky counties: Harrison (six, one person has recovered), Fayette (five), Jefferson (six), Bourbon (one), Nelson (one), Montgomery (one), and Clark (one).
A total of 254 people in Kentucky have been tested for the virus.
Over the weekend, Gov. Andy Beshear, saying its “another tough step,” called for daycare centers to prepare to close with as little as 72-hours notice due to COVID-19 concerns. The governor has already strongly suggested that schools take off at least three weeks, nursing homes prohibit visitors, churches cancel services, senior centers close, and large gatherings of people be avoided in the interest of social distancing (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends no gatherings of 50 or more people), to make it more difficult for the virus to spread from person to person.
Beshear has not yet recommended or ordered restaurants and other to businesses close, but he said on Sunday he is prepared to take that step if necessary.
The governor also addressed citizens hoarding supplies, saying, “When we make a run on supplies and you buy an eight month supply of something, that means other people who need it aren’t able to get it. That is not being a good teammate. Fear can cause so much more harm than this virus ever will.”
“We have to stay calm,” Beshear added. “We have to understand that we are all going to have to change our lifestyles in different, fundamental ways and we got to be a good part of Team Kentucky.”
Recommendations for social distancing in Kentucky include:
- If you are 60 years old or older and/or have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure or other chronic major medical conditions, we recommend you avoid densely populated community events and consult this CDC guidance.
- Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are advised to restrict visitors and consult Coronavirus (COVID-19) Visitation Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities
- Working people, students, employers and schools are advised to plan actively for telework/distance learning options appropriate for their situations and support all workers/students to stay at home if they are ill.
- Only go to the emergency department for an illness that would have taken you to the hospital before the COVID-19 outbreak. If you have runny nose, cough, fever or other common respiratory infection symptoms, take Tylenol- or Motrin-like products and stay home from work or school until you are fever-free. If you think you need medical care, please contact your healthcare provider for their instruction or visit an emergency department if you believe you have an emergency.
Kentucky residents may call the state coronavirus hotline at 1-800-722-5725 for advice about when to seek medical treatment. Those with symptoms of COVID-19 — cough, fever and difficulty breathing — are strongly urged to call the hotline or their physician before visiting a doctor.
Visit Kentucky’s COVID-19 website, kycovid19.ky.gov, for additional information and guidance on the disease.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
