Kentucky coronavirus cases increase to eight. Two new patients confirmed in Harrison.
The number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Kentucky increased to eight after two more patients tested positive for the virus in Harrison County, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday evening.
The newest patients are a 60-year-old male and a 54-year-old female. Both are isolated at home and receiving treatment, he said.
There are now five cases of COVID-19 in Harrison County, about 30 miles north of Lexington. All of the cases are linked in some way, Beshear said. Two other cases are in Lexington and one is in Louisville.
“It’s critical that we know that we will have more positive tests as we move forward, but that’s to be expected,” Beshear said.
Beshear said 20 new coronavirus tests were conducted Tuesday. Eighteen were negative. In all, the state has tested 54 cases, 85 percent of which were negative.
“Having 18 tests come back negative today won’t be everyday, but these are folks that qualify for tests under guidelines where there is significant worry that they may have it,” Beshear said. “But remember that we also believe that many people are asymptomatic that may have the coronavirus, so there is so much that we don’t know.”
Of the eight people who have tested positive in Kentucky, only one is under 46.
Beshear’s administration has recommended that anyone over the age of 60 should avoid large crowds, avoid flying and avoid getting on cruise ships. On Tuesday, he also said people over 60 and those with underlying medical conditions should go to the grocery store in off hours, or use a grocery pickup service to limit their exposure to crowds.
“If there’s that senior that needs groceries, let’s go for them,” he said.
Beshear stressed that not every person who tests positive for the coronavirus requires treatment in a hospital.
“In those situations where home isolation is appropriate, it can be the preferred alternative as long as that person gets the individual care that they need,” Beshear said.
Beshear strongly recommended Tuesday that all nursing homes and long-term care facilities restrict their visitors to loved ones of patients who are receiving end-of-life care.
“At end-of-life, we just want to make sure that everybody can see their relatives, have an opportunity to say goodbye. Too many of us have lost people we’ve loved without that chance,” Beshear said. “And we want to make sure everything we do we include compassion along with the guidance we’re giving.”
Kentucky residents can call the state coronavirus hotline — 1-800-722-5725 — for advice about when to seek medical treatment. Visit Kentucky’s coronavirus website, kycovid19.ky.gov, for more guidance about the disease.
Beshear said he will hold another briefing at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday.
This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 5:18 PM.
