The Lake Cumberland District Health Department (LCDHD) at the current time has twenty Positive/Presumptive Positive cases in our 10-county district.

COUNTY	TOTAL CASES
Adair	1
Cumberland	1
McQueary	1
Pulaski	12
Taylor	2
Wayne	3
Total	20

The Lake Cumberland District Health Department (LCDHD) at the current time has twenty Positive/Presumptive Positive cases in our 10-county district. Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread.

LCDHD is working with the Kentucky Department for Public Health to identify and contact all those who may have come in contact with them

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:
• between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Personal Prevention Measures:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t readily
available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick with a fever, coughing, sneezing, and
having difficulty breathing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household
cleaning spray or wipe.

• If you are over 60 or have underlying medical conditions that may make catching the disease more dangerous, please stay home as much as possible at this time.
• Purchase several weeks worth of medications and supplies in case you need to stay home for prolonged periods of time and to decrease the number of trips to purchase
supplies.

Community Prevention Measures:
• Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet from others in public.
• Implement environmental surface cleaning measures in homes, businesses, and other locations. Wipe down frequently touched surfaces and objects. Use regular household cleaning spray or wipes as recommended by the CDC.
• In following with Governor Andy Beshears’ order, no social gatherings such as church services, funerals, weddings, etc. will be permitted.
• Retail businesses are closed except for those exempted by the Governor’s order. Those that remain open must observe social distancing for staff and customers. Restaurants are closed except for drive-through and delivery. No dining room service is allowed.

What to do if you feel ill:
If you have developed a fever or respiratory symptoms and believe you have had exposure to a known case or traveled to an area with community spread, isolate yourself from others in your home and call your healthcare provider or local health department to describe your symptoms and any recent travel before you go to the healthcare facility.

If you feel ill enough to need a doctor’s care, please call your healthcare provider prior to showing up at their office. If you want to be tested for the COVID-19, call the provider to see if they are offering testing prior to going to their office. All providers will screen you for symptoms prior to deciding to do further testing. Many providers will require a flu and/or strep test prior to testing for COVID-19. No testing is being done on nonsymptomatic patients. If you feel you need emergency treatment, please call the hospital prior to arrival to alert them to your symptoms.

Stay home when you are sick. Do not leave home until you have been fever-free for at least 72 hours without any fever-reducing medication, your other symptoms have improved, AND at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

LCDHD Response:
What we have done:
• implemented our Department Operations Center and are at a level 1 (full activation)
• frequent updates to our Board of Directors, local community partners, media, and the public.
• received one distribution from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and delivered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Emergency Operation Centers
• shut down our health department clinics to essential services only.
• provided information packets to all primary care physicians in our region with information on COVID-19
• provided information packets to most/all local businesses
• helping monitor PPE inventory at local hospitals

What we are doing:
• case and close contact investigations and issuing isolation and quarantine orders for positive COVID-19 cases and high-risk close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases
• responding to issues of non-compliance with the Governor’s order to close down businesses specifically told to shut down for a period of time and open businesses not
complying with precautionary measures
• providing weekly meetings to update the media and public on COVID-19 in our region
• evaluating local hospital ventilator and isolation room capacity
• in the process of planning for mobile testing centers once test kits are available in our area.
• planning for mass immunization clinics once a vaccine is available in our area.

To help answer questions, the Kentucky Department of Public Health has created a hotline to answer questions at 1-800-722-5725.

Additional information can also be obtained by going to their COVID-19 website at https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/pages/covid19.aspx

The CDC also has a COVID-19 website that can be reached here:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Lake Cumberland District Health Department’s website can be reached here: https://www.lcdhd.org

The Kentucky Department of Public Health hotline can be reached at 1-800-722-5725.

Gov. Beshear Urges Need for Continued Sacrifice on Tough Day in COVID-19 Fight

Governor pushes for continued efforts as seven more Kentuckians die from coronavirus
Visit the Governor’s Facebook page to watch today’s news conference

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 31, 2020) – Expressing condolences, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday that seven more Kentuckians died after becoming ill from the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and urged Kentuckians to continue to take precautions and sacrifice to stop the spread.

“Today, we lost seven Kentuckians, which is something I never thought I would have to announce,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is why we were working so hard to reduce our contacts and protect the people around us. This is a virus that comes for the most vulnerable and we have to make sure we’re protecting them.”

The Governor urged Kentuckians to honor the loss of life by recommitting to following the guidance of health officials to stay healthy at home. Gov. Beshear said the sacrifices being made by Kentuckians would save lives.

“None of us know exactly how widespread this is going to get. But what we do know is, whatever that amount is, we can reduce it by what we’re doing right now,” the Governor said. “I know uncertainty is the hardest part of this. It is. It’s the hardest part of planning. It’s the hardest part in living. It’s the hardest part of staying strong when it’s really nice outside and you want to go see people.”

Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department of Public Health, said the stakes are life and death for some, and now is the time to work at “flattening the curve” so ill patients do not overwhelm Kentucky’s health providers.

“Folks, this is not a game, this is for real. And I am really proud of what we have done in Kentucky,” said Commissioner Stack. “The curve shows that hesitation hurts a lot so we have to act boldly and take significant steps. We have done that in Kentucky.”

Gov. Beshear on Tuesday announced new steps to address the crisis, including measures to help grocery workers and the nursing industry.

“We are expanding the child care options that we’ve been providing to our first responders and health care workers to our grocery store workers,” the Governor said. “We need them. We know our food supply is safe, but we need enough people that are there stocking the shelves day in and day out.”

Gov. Beshear also issued an order Tuesday allowing critical workforce sectors to rehire previously retired workers to fill key roles. The order, which last the duration of the state of emergency, applies to law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, park rangers and corrections officers.

Gov. Beshear also praised the Kentucky Board of Nursing for working with officials to moderate enforcement of some training and licensing requirements during the emergency. Among the issues addressed by a new order from the Governor: It eases restrictions on nurses who live out of state and makes it quicker to obtain a license.

“Right now, it’s just us versus this virus,” the Governor said. “What we do every day matters. Let’s commit that we are going to do the things that it takes to make sure we don’t have a lot of days like this.”

Case information
As of 5 p.m. March 31, the Governor said there were 114 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kentucky. There were seven new deaths reported Tuesday, raising the state’s toll to 18 deaths related to the virus.

Key recent updates

Out-of-state travel restricted
Gov. Beshear issued an order Monday restricting out-of-state travel by Kentuckians during the state of emergency. The decree allows for a range of exemptions, including travel to other states for work and groceries, to care for loved ones, to obtain health care and when required by a court order. Kentuckians arriving back in the commonwealth from out of state are required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

10 Steps to Fight COVID-19
“Stay Healthy at Home” is the very first measure on a new 10-step plan to fight the coronavirus that Gov. Beshear unveiled Monday. The 10 Steps to Fight COVID-19 include tips on sanitation and social distancing as well as information for those seeking help with unemployment, mental health issues and health care benefits.

Federal disaster aid, CARES Act help Kentuckians
Gov. Beshear announced two moves by the federal government to help the commonwealth’s coronavirus response and recovery efforts. The Major Disaster Declaration issued by President Donald Trump broadens access to the Public Assistance Program statewide to pay for emergency protective services. And the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act provides a variety of assistance and hope to Kentuckians whose livelihoods have been harmed by the coronavirus outbreak and response. Among the provisions are a $600 raise to the maximum weekly benefit, an additional 13 weeks of coverage and expanded eligibility for unemployment insurance.

Team Kentucky Fund
Gov. Beshear, along with the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, took executive action to establish the Team Kentucky Fund, a GoFundMe-style online platform to provide financial help to Kentuckians whose employment is affected by the coronavirus. The Governor has challenged those who are able to help to make a tax-deductible donation to the fund. Monday, Gov. Beshear shared a video from University of Louisville head football Coach Scott Satterfield encouraging people to contribute to the fund and to do their part to stop the spread of the virus. Last week, University of Kentucky basketball Coach John Calipari urged people to help their neighbors.

Reporting hotline
Gov. Beshear announced the COVID-19 Reporting Hotline 833-KY SAFER (833-597-2337) for complaints about non-compliance with coronavirus mandates. Labor Cabinet personnel monitor the hotline from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Kentuckians can also visit the website kysafer.ky.gov to register complaints online.

To read about other key updates from Gov. Beshear visit the news section on governor.ky.gov.

More Information
Gov. Beshear has taken decisive action to protect all Kentuckians since the first case was confirmed in the commonwealth. To read the full list of actions Gov. Beshear has taken to protect Kentuckians and limit the spread of the coronavirus, visit governor.ky.gov/covid19.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages people to follow these steps to prevent illness. Kentuckians who want advice can call the state hotline at 800-722-5725 or call their local health care provider. To read Gov. Beshear’s news releases and watch other news regarding COVID-19 visit governor.ky.gov.

Each day at 5 p.m. ET, Gov. Beshear holds briefings for Kentuckians that are streamed online at his Facebook and YouTube pages.

Gov. Beshear continues to urge Kentuckians to be cautious of rumors and depend on proven and good sources of news, including governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Team Kentucky hashtags for social media
#TeamKentucky, #TogetherKY, #Patriot and #HealthyAtHome.

I received notification a little after 1:00 p.m. today by the Lake Cumberland District Health Department that Adair County now has its first positive case of the Coronavirus or COVID-19. While this is something that we have been anticipating, it’s still hard to take in when you get the call. This is not the time to panic. As I said, this is something we have been expecting.

Myself, along with the Adair County Emergency Management Director Mike Keltner and his team, the Local and District Health Departments, TJ Health Columbia, Adair Co. EMS, Adair County Sheriff, and many more local officials and organizations have been working tireless hours to make sure Adair County residents are kept as safe as possible. But we can’t do it alone. Everyone must do their part to stop the spread of this virus. We ask that you stay at home unless you must be out, do not travel out of state, and practice social distancing measures when you must be out. The more that people get out in the community the more this virus will spread.

The confirmed case in Adair County is an elderly gentleman who has been released from the hospital to self-isolate at home. I ask that you keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

I will do my best to keep our citizens aware of what is going on and updated if or when we get more cases, but I will not release private information regarding patients.

I ask that you stay Healthy at Home when possible but if you must be out to use all precautions to keep you and your family safe.

For more information regarding COVID-19 visit www.kycovid19.ky.gov or call 800-722-5725.

 

Stay Safe!

Gale Cowan

Adair Co. Judge Executive