17 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Lexington, including one new death. Total is 110.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department announced 17 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and one new death, bringing the totals in Lexington to 110 cases and 2 deaths. At least 24 people have recovered from the disease.
Both of the deaths in Fayette County have been people in their 80s. The health department does not release demographic information about COVID-19 patients in the county.
“The total number of cases is now about four times the amount as this time last week,” said Kevin Hall, a spokesman for the health department. “It is extremely important for you to practice social distancing and stay home as much as possible, getting out only for necessities and staying at least 6 feet away from others when you do go somewhere.”
Gov. Andy Beshear announced a coronavirus-related death in Fayette County last week, but the health department has determined that the patient — a 75-year-old woman — is alive. Hall said it was unclear how the patient was incorrectly marked deceased.
The health department has found three clusters of cases in Fayette County that are all connected, one of which was a St. Patrick’s Day party that resulted in six people testing positive for the disease.
Hall said he could not provide specific details on the other two clusters, but that the three clusters account for more than 20 of the coronavirus cases in Lexington.
It is difficult for epidemiologists to determine exactly which cluster came first but it is clear that all of them are connected, he said.
“That shows the importance of staying home when you’re sick,” Hall said. “Until people follow the guidelines — only go our for necessities, only once a week ideally — until that happens the spread is going to continue.”
Across the state, at least 480 people have tested positive for the disease and at least 11 people have died.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 2:54 PM.
