4th coronavirus death reported in Christian County; case total surges from 182 to 225 and increase linked to unidentified workplace

The county had 74 active cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, which was roughly a third of the total cases.

A 69-year-old man has died of COVID-19 complications in Christian County, and the number of coronavirus cases here increased significantly in one day, from 182 to 225, the health department reported Thursday. 

The man who died, the fourth locally since the start of the pandemic, had underlying health conditions, the health deportment reported in a news release. The underlying conditions were not specified. 

Beyond the numbers, the health department initially did not provide any information to help explain the spike in cases.

In response to a request for additional information, health department spokeswoman Amanda Sweeney said in an email early Friday that the increase is related to “an outbreak at a worksite in the county.” Sweeney did not identify the site. She said the department is still investigating the outbreak and plans to release more information later.

As of Thursday, the total of 225 cases included 74 active cases, 147 recovered and four deaths.

The number of confirmed, active cases by age group are:

  • Youth (0-21): 10
  • Young Adult-Middle Age (22-59): 54
  • Older Adult (60-84): 10
  • Elderly (85+): 0

On Wednesday, the total of 182 included 42 active, 137 recovered and three deaths. 

This story has been updated.

(Jennifer P. Brown is the editor and founder of Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org.)

Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.