HARDINSBURG (03/27/20) — Officials on Friday confirmed the first positive case of the Coronavirus in Breckinridge County.
During a Friday afternoon press briefing, officials would only identify the patient as a 58-year-old self-employed male, saying it was only a matter of “when, not if”. Due to Federal HIPAA requirements, officials cannot and will not release any identifying information. However, some additional information was made available.
According to the Breckinridge County Health Department, he is currently at home and has been at home since experiencing signs and symptoms. He is doing very well and he began self-quarantine immediately. He knew that he could possibly have COVID19 and took it upon himself to follow all of the recommendations that have been handed down from CDC. He is awaiting his time patiently and may be out of isolation within the next week.
Officials said they were prepared for the development, with contacts of the patient identified and contacted following the discovery.
They continued to urge proper hygiene and social distancing to curb spread of the disease, with a special plea to younger people less susceptible to symptoms but capable of spreading the virus to those at greater risk. They urged people to refrain from going outside unless for essential needs, such as grocery shopping and to check on neighbors.
They continued to ask people with questions or feel they may be at risk to contact a local hotline at (270) 756-6548 or the statewide hotline at 1-800-722-5725. Testing is limited, so providers are conducting screening before the tests are performed.
Officials encouraged checking on neighbors and the elderly during this time, but asked the public not to provide meals for the elderly or shut-ins. Meals now need to only come from an regularly inspected food preparation kitchen due to concerns of spreading the virus. If you know someone who needs assistance but no one to help them at 270-756-2462.
Representatives from Cloverport, Irvington, and Hardinsburg said that all parks and ballparks are now closed and some basketball goals have been taken down to prevent the temptation for gatherings or activities with warmer weather. City Hall doors are locked, but officials are open by telephone for those needing information on city services.
Friday’s announcement follows cases reported previously in Hardin and Grayson Counties.
State officials announced the number of positive cases in Kentucky was over 300 with three additional deaths bringing the total number of fatalities to eight. In Indiana, the case total was approaching 1,000 with 24 confirmed deaths.
(Video: Breckinridge County Health Department)
