Coronavirus Cases Confirmed In Bourbon County Resident Risk Exposure Considered Low

ANDREA BROWN
Public Health Director
Bourbon County Health Department

The Bourbon County Health Department (BCHD) received confirmation that two Bourbon County resident have tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).  These are the only confirmed case in Bourbon County as of March 24, 2020.
The Health Department’s Regional Epidemiologist and Epidemiology Rapid Response Team have collaborated with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) to track individuals who have had close contact with these cases and are at risk of infection to be placed on proper isolation protocol.
“Keeping our community healthy and safe is our focus during this time,” said Andrea Brown, Bourbon County Public Health Director.
The Governor has placed Executive Orders on restaurants/bars, public facing businesses, and non-essential retail to be closed to the public until further notice.  Copies of those orders can be found online at www.kycovid19.ky.gov.
“This is a difficult time for our community, our state, and our nation as we work to slow the spread of this virus,” said Brown, “But it’s our personal responsibility to our community to work together to follow this guidance so we can overcome.”
The community may experience anxiety with this emerging disease, but everyone in the general public can play a role to reduce the spread of illness by taking the following every day, simple preventive measures:
•    Follow the Executive Orders executed by Governor Andy Beshear to maintain good social distancing practices.
•    Contact your health care provided by phone before going in to be seen.
•    Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
•    Stay home when you are sick.
•    Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•    Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
•    Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow, not with your hands.
•    Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe.
•    Wear a face mask only if you are sick; face masks are not recommended for healthy people.
•    If you are 60 years old or older and/or have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure or other chronic major medical conditions, we recommend you avoid densely populated community events.

Additionally, individuals experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath should distance themselves from others. Before visiting a health care provider or health center, individuals with these symptoms are encouraged to call their health care provider or use a virtual method to get expert advice. This will help prevent the spread of disease to others.
BCHD is working with partners in health care, education, business, emergency management, law enforcement and others to prepare and respond to the evolving situation. “Over the past several weeks,  we’ve been working with partners to plan, prepare and respond to a potential COVID-19 outbreak. Right now, we are actively deploying local resources to contain this disease,” said Brown.
Many people have been displacing from their work.  There are resources to help individuals and business owners through this difficult time.  Please visit www.sba.gov for more information.
Please visit www.kycovid19.ky.gov or www.bourboncohd.org for the latest COVID-19 updates as well as information on how to protect and prepare yourself and others.