Montgomery health officials: Parishioners may have been exposed to coronavirus
A person has tested presumptive positive for novel coronavirus in Eastern Kentucky, the Montgomery County Health Department announced Friday afternoon.
The health department issued a notice later in the evening saying that people who attended Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church last Sunday might have been exposed.
The person who tested positive is in isolation, and “people who have been in close contact with the individual while they were contagious are being contacted by the state epidemiologist” and local health department staff to inform them about the possible exposure, the health department said in a Facebook post.
The health department said the patient is “following quarantine guidelines at home.”
The test was conducted by LabCorp, a private national laboratory.
On Friday night, the Montgomery County Health Department issued a notice to parishioners of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Sterling, saying that people who attended Mass on March 8 may have been exposed.
The health department asked those affected to “monitor yourself for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19” until March 22, which is 14 days from the date of possible exposure. Anyone who develops a cough, fever or shortness of breath should stay at home and notify their health care provider, the health department said.
The health department said in the Facebook post that it is not asking people who attended Mass on March 8 to quarantine themselves.
“We are notifying you out of an abundance of caution, and feel the risk of exposure is low,” the health department said.
The health department said “all people who have come into close contact with the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 have been called.”
This is the county’s first case of coronavirus. Kentucky now has 14 cases of coronavirus. Other cases include six in Harrison County, three in Lexington and two in Louisville. Gov. Andy Beshear said late Friday afternoon that he could not yet say where two other recently-diagnosed people live.
“Per the recommendations from the Governor’s Office and the Kentucky Department of Public Health, our community has taken measures to mitigate the community spread of the coronavirus referred to as COVID-19,” including closing schools effective Monday and suspending extracurricular activities, the health department said.
The health department said citizens should expect changes to operating hours at government facilities.
Mount Sterling City Hall will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but walk-in hours will be limited to 9 to 11 a.m., the city said in a Facebook post. Citizens who want to visit city hall outside those hours should call to schedule an appointment.
All activities organized by Mount Sterling Parks and Recreation have been canceled until further notice, the health department said.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 4:15 PM.
