This community has been dealing with the life changes brought about by COVID-19, but the pandemic became even more real for Wayne County on Wednesday, March 25 when officials with the Lake Cumberland District Health Department announced the first confirmed cases here.
In a press conference held at the Wayne County Courthouse that
morning, Lake Cumberland District Health Department Executive
Director Shawn Crabtree said that there had been three people who
tested positive for COVID-19 from Wayne County. At that time, two
were hospitalized at Lake Cumber-land Regional Hospital. The third
person was under self isolation at home, according to Crabtree.
In a media session held later that afternoon, health officials in
this district confirmed that one of the initial three victims was
employed by Cagle's in Clinton County.
Local
announcement
Crabtree took the opportunity to speak with local residents on
Wednesday morning, since that announcement was aired live on the
local cable and radio stations. He stated that some people have
compared COVID-19 to the flu or a cold and in a sense the diseases
are similar, particularly in the way they are transmitted and the
symptoms.
He added that COVID-19 is a new virus to the human species so no one
has built any immunity to it. Crabtree stated that to the knowledge
of health officials at this time, no one has caught it twice.
The virus is spread mainly from person to person between people who
are in close contact with one another. It is spread 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.
Several personal prevention measures can be taken including washing
your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer if necessary. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
with a fever, coughing, sneezing or having difficulty breathing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Cover your cough or sneeze
with a tissue, then throw it in the trash. Health officials advise
that anyone over the age of 60 or who has underlying medical
conditions should stay home as much as possible.
Crabtree advised that anyone who may think they have COVID-19 should
contact their health provider before going to the doctor. This will
allow them to prescreen patients on the phone and then provide advise
of where they should go to seek help.
Crabtree referred to the actions taken by Governor Andy Beshear,
which have stressed avoiding crowds, practicing social distancing and
staying home when you feel sick.
"We are trying to slow the spread of COVID-19," stated Crabtree. "We
don't want to many people to be sick at one time...That could
overwhelm our health care system."
At this point, the Lake Cumberland District Health Department is
still working on containment. Crabtree said that a positive test
result means that officials with the department begin to do a case or
contact investigation. They try to determine where a patient has been, the contacts they have made during the time they were contagious.
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