New Guidelines Following COVID-19 Increase

By Kaitlyn Wilson
kaitlyn@tmcvoice.com

Following a steady increase of the daily number of COVID-19 cases in Kentucky, Governor Steve Beshear has issued yet another set of guidelines intended to keep Kentuckians safe. Effective on July 20, 2020, gatherings have yet again been limited to ten people or less. Public health experts are also recommending that individuals over 65 years and those who are deemed high risk should avoid in-person gatherings and remain Healthy at Home.
McCreary County currently has two active cases of COVID-19, with one individual in the hospital and the other self-isolating at home. So far, there have been a total of 21 cases in the county, with 19 now being listed as recovered. The total number of cases in the Lake Cumberland District has since increased to 803 cumulative cases, with 227 of those remaining active. Of those active cases, 42 are asymptomatic. 14 of the current cases in the Lake Cumberland District are hospitalized, and 213 are in self-isolation.
In the Lake Cumberland District, Casey County has 62 current cases of COVID-19. Pulaski County is right behind them at 54 cases. Next is Taylor County at 26 active cases, followed closely by Adair County, who currently sits at 25 cases. Russell County currently has 18 active cases. Wayne County has 15 current cases. Green County has 10 active cases. Cumberland County has 8 active cases, and Clinton has 7 cases.
If you are an individual planning on attending a gathering of up to ten people, the guidelines state that you must wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when indoors, remain at least 6 feet apart from people who are not part of your household, wash your hands frequently, exclude people who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed to it, and not share food, drink, utensils, etc. You should remain Healthy at Home to the greatest extent possible, and limit gatherings to the smallest number practicable. Gatherings should be held outside, and people should be discouraged from handshaking, hugging, and performing other direct person-to-person contact. One should also avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. The best way to stop the spread of the Coronavirus is to practice the 3 W’s: Wear a mask in public, Wash hands often, and keep a Watching distance to stay 6 feet apart.