There are now eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky and Governor Andy Beshear’s administration is asking nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to restrict visitation during the coronavirus outbreak.
The two new cases are a 60-year old male and a 54-year old female in Harrison County, bringing the total there to five. All five are linked in some way, according to the governor. Two cases have been noted in Fayette County and there is one in Jefferson County.
The governor says washing your hands often and thoroughly can go a long way toward protecting yourself and others from COVID-19, the flu and other illnesses.
He has issued an executive order allowing Kentucky pharmacies to refill up to a 30 day prescription on a non-controlled medication without that patient having to get to the doctor’s office.
Restrictions on visitation are being imposed on state-operated elder care facilities and Governor Beshear says they are giving the strongest guidance possible to privately operated nursing homes and other facilities to do the same.
While it was noted the flu and coronavirus are different, Governor Beshear said there have been over 22,000 cases of influenza in the commonwealth this season and 85 deaths.
Beshear expects additional cases of coronavirus in Kentucky, but says there’s no need to panic and that state officials remain ready to respond.