Two new cases in the county
By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com
After going a week without a new COVID-19 case in the county, the Lake Cumberland District Health Department announced two new cases over the past week, but one of the cases has already been released from quarantine – presumably following a negative test result.
The cases, a 17-year-old male and a 39-year-old male were reported over the weekend. But by Wednesday one of those cases has been released from self-isolation, bringing the current active case count down to one.
In total McCreary County has now seen 13 cases of COVID-19, which equates to 7.54 cases per every 10,000 population. McCreary’s rate is fourth-highest in the 10-county Lake Cumberland District, trailing Cumberland (7.86), Russell (10.6) and Adair (46.35). Adair County has been hardest hit in the district due to an outbreak at a nursing home facility.
For the District the total number of active cases continue to decline, with only 20 active as of Wednesday compared to 26 last week. Of those 20, just six remain hospitalized.
In all the LCDHD reports 193 cases and 19 deaths. Over 80 percent of the cases have recovered from the virus.
Statewide numbers continue to grow with 6,853 positive cases reported as of Tuesday night. That represents an increase of over 1,000 cases from last week. Additionally Governor Andy Beshear reported 321 deaths during his daily briefing, an increase of 46 from last week. Of the active cases more than 2,546 people have recovered, meaning there still are over 4,000 active cases in the state.
Testing in Kentucky continues to expand, with over 110,000 tested so far according to the Governor. More testing sites are opening across the state, including several in McCreary County: Appalachian Family Care in Pine Knot, Hope Primary in Stearns, South Fork Medical, Whitley Family Medical and Perry and West Family Practice in Whitley City.
For a detailed listing of testing sites in Kentucky go to www.kycovid19.ky.gov.
Governor Beshear announced the planned second phase of reopening the commonwealth’s economy, but urged patience and caution until we finish the fight against COVID-19.
In Phase 1 manufacturing and other related industries were allowed to open this week, with retail and houses of worship to be allowed to re-open on May 20. Social gatherings of less than 10 people and barbers, salons, cosmetology businesses and similar services are slated to open on May 25.
In phase 2 the Governor announced restaurants can open seating areas as of May 22 as long as they limit capacity to 33 percent. As of June 1 movie theaters and fitness centers can open, followed by campgrounds on June 11 and Child care (with reduced capacity) on June 15.
Phase 3 of the plan is scheduled to be announced by July 1, which could expand the gathering limit up to 50 people.
Tennessee reports 16,111 confirmed cases as of Tuesday (566 newly reported), with 265 deaths and 8,336 recovered. In the United States total cases exceed 1.4 million, with over 83,000 deaths and more than 237,000 recovered.
