MARCH 10, 2020: With six COVID-19 cases confirmed in Kentucky, including two in Lexington, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is working to protect the city’s residents, especially those at the highest risk of complications from COVID-19: senior adults and those with chronic health conditions.
The CDC recommends the following for people over the age of 60 and anyone with heart, lung or kidney disease, cancer or diabetes:
- Stay at home as much as possible.
- Make sure you have access to medications and supplies in case you are advised to stay home.
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds.
The health department also backs the message from Gov. Andy Beshear encouraging all Kentucky senior centers, nursing homes and long-term care center to restrict visitation policies.
The health department offered these tips to everyone to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
COVID-19 is an emerging disease and the health department is staying up-to-date on the latest information.
To help answer the community’s questions about COVID-19, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is operating a call center for members of the public. Questions can be asked by calling (859) 899-2222 during regular business hours or emailing COVID19@lfchd.org. Additional information, including frequently asked questions, can be found at lfchd.org and on the LFCHD social media accounts. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LFCHD, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LFCHD and Instagram at @lexpublichealth.