The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has more than doubled in the last week. As of Tuesday afternoon, Jennie Stuart Medical Center had 12 confirmed coronavirus patients, a hospital spokesperson confirmed. Last week’s update from the Christian County Health Department reported five COVID-19 patients.
Previously, the largest reported number of patients known to have COVID-19 was seven, on April 8. During a brief stretch in early April, the combined number reported of patients who had tested positive and those whose test results were still pending was in the double digits. Since April, that number has remained at 5 or less.
Statewide, 638 people are hospitalized with coronavirus — 16.6% of patients ever hospitalized in Kentucky. The state has 135 currently in intensive-care units — 11% of total ICU patients since the pandemic began.
It is not know how many current patients, if any, are in the intensive-care unit at Jennie Stuart. According to a state dataset, Christian County has 18 ICU beds.
Local growth rate slows, but not as much as state
The health department reported five newly confirmed cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the local total to 597. In the last seven days, 99 new cases have been confirmed, and last month brought 56% of all new cases since the pandemic began.
“Although the data may seem discouraging, the rate of growth across the state has decreased since the mandatory mask order, going from a 52% growth in case counts two weeks ago to a more recent 3.9% growth in case counts in following weeks,” health department spokeswoman Amanda Sweeney said in the release. “Although we are reporting new cases each day, the overall decrease is an encouragement and shows that collective efforts are working.”
Locally, the growth rate is decreasing much slower, going from a 51% two-week growth rate on July 21 to 34% as of Tuesday.
The health department also noted an increase in local positivity rates, which were 8.37% in July, up from 6.1% in June. As of Tuesday, the statewide positivity rate was 5.24%.
The health department doesn’t routinely report weekly positivity rates.
#MaskUpChristianCounty campaign
In an effort to help support community members in their efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the health department has launched its #MaskUpChristianCounty campaign for the month of August.
As a part of the campaign, the department announced a Fancy Face Art Contest where community members are asked to submit their original mask design. Entries are due by Aug. 19, and the community will have the chance to vote on the best design. The winner will receive a free mask with their original design, compliments of The Trophy House.
(Julia Hunter is the webmaster for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at Julia_Hunter622@hotmail.com.)
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
