FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVF) — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the state has 302 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Friday.
Beshear announced two additional deaths in Kentucky, a 75-year-old woman in Fayette County and a 77-year-old man in Hopkins County.
The state has tested over 5,000 people.
The Todd County Health Department said Friday the county has its first case of the new coronavirus. Health officials said the patient is a healthy adult visiting Todd County and had recently been out of state. The patient began showing symptoms on Tuesday and has been isolated at the home of visitation with very mild symptoms.
TCHD said the adult was in contact with less than five people, who all have been notified and asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
The governor asked Kentuckians who live near the Tennessee border to avoid crossing state lines unless otherwise essential.
"I need you to not go to Tennessee for anything other than work, or helping a loved one, or a grocery store if it’s closer," Beshear said.
On Thursday, Beshear said the state saw its first confirmed cases at a nursing home. A 90-year-old man in Perry County tested positive and has since left the facility.
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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
