Coronavirus has come to Kentucky – probably. According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, there is one presumptive case of COVID-19 in the state. Presumptive means a sample from the infected person has tested positive at a local laboratory. Confirmed cases are those where a sample has tested positive at a Center for Disease Control Laboratory.
The infected individual is in Lexington. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a State of Emergency in response.
There are no confirmed cases in Ohio. Two individuals with respiratory symptoms are under investigation and 255 people who traveled abroad or had contact with infected persons are under Public Health Supervision. Governor Mike DeWine issued an executive order banning spectators at the annual Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus this weekend.
“The mayor, our public health officials and I are gravely concerned that that the event as organized poses a unique and unacceptable risk for the spread of COVID-19 for guests and the community. These concerns include the attendance of individuals from more than 80 countries and from other parts of the United States affected by COVID-19. We are also concerned that that almost all the athletic competitions at the festival are not single-ticket events and are rather general admission, which allows for spectators to attend dozens of events and travel freely from facility to facility. These facts make this unique event significantly different than any other event we know of in this state,” said Governor DeWine.
Nineteen states are reporting cases of COVID-19. There have been 225 cases and 14 deaths so far.
Experts say the most effective way to prevent the virus is to wash your hands thoroughly and avoid touching your face. As always, if you’re sick, you should self-isolate and stay home.
Coronavirus has come to Kentucky
