Update (Tuesday, March 10): Governor Beshear said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference, there are two more confirmed cases of coronavirus in Kentucky. The state now has a total of 8 positive cases.
The two new cases are a 50-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman. Both are in home isolation, Beshear said. No details were released about them or how they contracted the virus.
Monday, March 9: Kentucky's total number of patients with COVID-19 has risen after Gov. Beshear announced two more people have tested positive for the virus, and said the number is "expected to grow."
The governor announced the new cases during a press conference Monday evening. The individuals who tested positive for the virus are in Harrison County and Fayette County.
The first case in Kentucky was confirmed in Harrison County late last week. Beshear said the first person who tested positive was a person who worked at a Cynthiana Walmart.
Beshear said there are now three cases in Harrison County, Kentucky. All three cases are linked, but not through Walmart. The first patient, Beshear said, is improving.
There are two confirmed cases in Fayette County, one 49-year-old man and another 47-year-old man. The person who tested positive in Jefferson County is a 69-year-old man who had recently traveled.
Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Eric Friedlander said the six cases range from mild to severe, but did say even most severe patient is improving. He also said all health care workers who have been in contact with patients are being monitored, and none have shown symptoms.
Beshear urged Kentuckians to practice good hygiene and be diligent about washing hands in order to slow the spread of the virus. He also recommended avoiding cruise ships and airplanes.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services is restricting visitors to long-term care facilities. Anyone with questions about nursing home visitations is asked to call 502-564-2888.
The governor assured residents the risk for contracting the virus in Kentucky remains low.
If you have questions about the novel coronavirus, call the state's COVID-19 hotline at 1 (800) 722-5725.
Watch the governor's full press conference on our Facebook page.
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