After having as many as 16 coronavirus patients in the hospital a month ago, Jennie Stuart Medical Center was treating just one person with COVID-19 on Monday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The decline in hospitalizations comes as local health officials wait to see how businesses reopening this week and later will affect rates of infection in Christian County.
As of Monday, 96 people have tested positive for the respiratory disease since the county’s first case was confirmed on March 19. Eighteen cases are currently active, while 75 people have recovered. Three local deaths, all reported on April 8, occurred as the hospital was treating 16 patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
A recent trend of no more than one or two newly confirmed cases a day would indicate the county’s infection rate is declining. However, the area could experience a spike in new cases as more people are getting out of their homes with businesses reopening, Christian County Health Director Kayla Bebout said during a local teleconference.
“There is a possibility of an incline,” Bebout said.
Starting Monday with the first round in a series of business openings, Kentuckians were being asked to wear a face mask when they leave home. In addition, there are special requirements for businesses under Gov. Andy Beshear’s Health at Work initiative.
Health department spokeswoman Amanda Sweeney said essential businesses that have been allowed to remain open while others were closed must also follow the orders outlined in the state’s plan to restart the economy. Sweeney encouraged businesses to study the requirements.
It’s important for businesses to know that employees are required to wear a face mask and should encourage their customers to also wear one, said Sweeney.
It is not clear if local or state authorities will be checking on businesses to see if they are following the orders.
“We’re still awaiting guidance on who is checking for compliance,” Bebout said.
The openings will include:
- May 11 — office-based businesses, pet grooming/boarding, photography and auto dealerships
- May 20 — funeral services and retail stores
- May 22 — restaurants (at 33% capacity, plus outdoor seating)
- May 25 — barber and beauty shops, message therapy and nail salons
- June 1 — fitness centers and movie theaters
- June 11 — campgrounds
- June 15 — some child care centers and low-contact outdoor sports
- July 1 — bars
Mayor Wendell Lynch said the city will open its offices on May 18 but will require the public to have an appointment to meet employees in a city building. Many city employees will continue to work from home to prevent having too many people in an office where social distancing could not be observed.
“We will continue to telework for some time,” Lynch said.
County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble said county offices will also open on May 18. However, a plan was still being developed for the county clerk’s office in the courthouse.
(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.
