Governor Andy Beshear confirmed one person in Jefferson County has tested positive and another person has preliminarily tested positive to coronavirus.
FIRST CASE:
The first case was announced Sunday, March 8. That patient was treated in isolation at Norton Brownsboro Hospital after coming in with respiratory symptoms.
The person is a 69-year-old man who Metro Louisville's Chief Health Strategist Dr. Sarah Moyer said had recently traveled. The Louisville Muhammad Ali Airport said the person traveled through SDF on three separate occasions: late evening Feb. 28, early morning March 2 and late evening March 6.
Mayor Greg Fischer said the person is improving and has been released from the hospital and is in isolation at home. Employees who were in contact with the patient at Norton Brownsboro have been identified and are being evaluated.
SECOND CASE:
Humana has confirmed a worker at its Waterside building has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. In an internal email, Humana officials told Louisville-based workers who could to work from home.
The person, Gov. Beshear said, has not been added to Kentucky's total as health officials await results from a second test.
Fischer has maintained that officials do expect to see increasing cases of COVID-19 in Louisville.
CASES LINKED TO OMNI HOTEL:
Five people who attended a conference at the Omni Hotel in Louisville in February have tested positive for coronavirus. Fischer said in his first press conference that there is no reason to believe they contracted the virus in Louisville.
D.C. rector Tim Cole was the first person who attended the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes Network to contract COVID-19. Officials announced Rev. Dr. Robert Pace in Texas had been hospitalized after a "presumptive positive."
ABC affiliate KABC said a Beverly Hills rector who attended the conference has also tested positive. Rev. Janet Broderick, sister of actor Matthew Brockerick, tested positive for COVID-19.
Fr. Roy Cole of the Church of the Epiphany in New York City has a confirmed case of COVID-19, the church said, after being in direct contact with someone who has also tested positive.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chattanooga said Fr. Brad Whitaker was diagnosed after returning home from the annual conference in February.
HOW LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE RESPONDING:
Several events scheduled have been canceled. The St. Patrick's Day Parade has been postponed, as have the Kentucky high school boys' and girls' state tournament. Fischer said the city has been in constant contact with Churchill Downs about how coronavirus could affect Kentucky Derby events.
Fischer said Metro Corrections is looking to stagger visitors, allowing only non-contact visitation through a screen to protect from COVID-19.
Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville Catholic Schools and other districts have canceled classes, most through April to prevent the spread of coronavirus as well..
The other Kentuckians who tested positive were in Harrison, Fayette and Montgomery counties.
The Department of Public Health recommends anyone over 60 or with chronic conditions stay away from heavily populated events or areas. Nursing homes have halted visitation and Beshear recommended churches not have services this weekend.
Multiple churches have canceled in-person service, including Southeast Christian Church and St. Stephen Baptist Church. Louisville faith leaders are planning to meet on Friday to determine how they'll move forward following the Governor's recommendations.
People should only go to the emergency room for an illness that would have taken them to the hospital before the COVID-19 outbreak. If you think you need medical care, please contact your healthcare provider for their instruction.
Here are some guidelines to follow to stay healthy:
- Proper handwashing for at least 20 seconds.
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
- If you do not feel well, stay home, drink fluids and rest.
- If symptoms persist such as high fever, sore throat, coughing and shortness of breath, please seek medical attention.
People can call the state's coronavirus hotline with their questions at 1 (800) 722-5725.
WHAS11 will continue to update the community on COVID-19 in Kentuckiana as more information is presented.
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