The proportion of people testing positive for COVID-19 remains high in Christian County at 10.1% so far in August, and the county appears to be on track for another record week of new cases, local officials reported Wednesday.
“We are seeing a higher rate than most of the state has seen. Of course, I think if you look at it, we are definitely one of the hot spots for Kentucky,” County Health Director Kayla Bebout said during a teleconference with local news media.
The rate of positive tests statewide was 5.48% on Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear reported. Health experts warn that a rate greater than 5% is a concern when trying to control the spread of coronavirus.
Bebout attributed the county’s high rate to clusters in approximately seven workplaces and to events where the public has reported groups of people were not wearing masks. She did not identify any specific sites or events. Montgomery County, Tennessee, which is across the state line from Christian County, also has a high rate of infection, she noted.
Amanda Sweeney, who is responsible for marketing and public relations at the local health department, said the agency is encouraging businesses to demonstrate Healthy at Work habits, which include face masks, social distancing and frequent hand-washing. The health department wants to present certificates to businesses that adhere to the state’s guidelines so they can be examples for the community.
The Healthy at Work requirements include:
- Employees wear a mask and encourage patrons to wear a mask.
- Patrons and employees are encouraged to social distance.
- Employees practice frequent hand-washing.
- Surfaces and high traffic areas are frequently sanitized.
- Hand sanitizer is supplies for employee and customer use.
- Business has a Healthy at Work officer.
- Employees engage in daily temperature/health checks.
Since the pandemic began, the health department has received 86 complaints from the public of noncompliance with the state’s regulations, Sweeney told Hoptown Chronicle in a follow-up question to today’s teleconference.
“We look into each of these complaints and do our best to address the issues we see. Common complaints include a lack of social distancing and individuals in gatherings not wearing masks,” Sweeney said in an email. “As far as citations, we have had to administer citations within the community because there was a lack of compliance.”
The number of citations and what they entail was not immediately available.
The health department reported five newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. That pushes the county’s case total to 785 with 243 active cases.
The number of active cases by age group released by the department was:
- Youth (0-21): 52
- Young Adult-Middle Age (22-59): 131
- Older Adult (60-84): 53
- Elderly (85+): 7
“When we talk about numbers being on the rise, I know that is discouraging. But what can we do personally?” Sweeney said. “We cannot stress enough the importance of following the health guidelines and wearing your mask in public, social distancing when possible and frequently washing your hands with warm water and soap. …. If we can consistently do those things on a regular basis, we can have a solid defense against COVID-19.”
Despite the county having a positivity rate that is nearly double the state’s rate, Sweeney seemed to give the community high marks for complying with the state regulations and guidelines, which includes the governor’s executive order requiring masks in public.
“I know a lot of times we hear about the negatives in the media when people are not following the guidelines,” Sweeney said. “But that is not the norm. The majority of our businesses, the majority of our population here in Christian County has done a phenomenal job.”
In other reports from the community’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, Jennie Stuart Health CEO Eric Lee said five COVID-19 patients were being treated at the hospital Wednesday. One week ago, there were 12 coronavirus patients at Jennie Stuart.
Hopkinsville Fire Department Capt. Michael Pendleton said Christian County Emergency Medical Services has transported 195 patients by ambulance who were positive for COVID-19 or presumed to be positive since the pandemic began.
So far, no employees of the ambulance service have contracted COVID-19 through work, he said. The department is using a halo disinfectant system — a donation from Clay Smith of Pennyrile Ford — to ensure ambulances are properly cleaned after every run.
Sweeney said the health department’s drive-thru coronavirus test site will continue to operate from 9 to 11 a.m. weekdays at Tie Breaker Park. Special hours will be offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, for people who haven’t been able to get to the site during the day. There’s no charge to be tested.
(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. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
