After Friday’s announcement of the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in the Commonwealth Gov. Andy Beshear said the state is prepared the handle the virus.
The infected patient is being kept in isolation at a medical facility.
The WEDCO District Health Department issued a statement on Facebook saying the patient was a Harrison County resident. Beshear said the age of the patient being treated could not be released at this time.
Epidemiologists will work to find out who the patient has had contact within the time she contracted the virus.
“They’ll identify any people that person was in contact with and their travel history — it’s called contact tracing, and they do a very detailed, very methodical approach to identify any possible source or any possible exposure to the illness and whether they exposed someone else,” said Eric Friedlander, secretary for the Cabinet of Health and Family Services. “Then they will work with local public health officials and clinicians as needed to make sure they have the information necessary to recommend any additional steps necessary for isolation in the community.”
Medical professionals said Kentuckians still remain at very low risk of being exposed to the coronavirus. Out of 100 people who’ve been self-isolated, 88 have been cleared.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has sent $7 million Kentucky’s way to fight the coronavirus. Beshear said he will speak with legislators if he believes more funding is needed.
Beshear said the state government was moving as fast as it could to ensure safety for Kentuckians across the state, but encouraged residents to check on their elderly relatives during this time, as seniors have been deemed more likely to die from COVID-19 than young, healthy individuals.
“Fear can be difficult, but there is no cause for fear at this time. Right now there is no reason to believe this will be as bad as the common flu,” Beshear said. “Get your flu shot. But this is fast — how it’s spread, and how it’s spread around the world. We just want to make sure we’re responding appropriately. With all the coverage it’s getting, yes — it’s important that we continue to update the public. To keep people calm — know that your government is doing everything it can to protect our families.”
Beshear said the best way to protect oneself was to practice good hygiene by “washing your hands, and washing them well.”
Beshear said his team didn’t want to see a confirmation in Kentucky, but that they knew it was coming.
“As of right now, it’s a single case, and it was expected,” he said.
Beshear said people should call 1-800-222-1222 if they have any concerns about the coronavirus in Kentucky.
