In the wake of the first positive cases of COVID-19 in Hardin County, Hardin Memorial Health have announced that they have established a temporary respiratory health clinic for potential COVID-19 patients. Located at 1004 Woodland Drive, the clinic saw its first patient on Friday, March 20. The clinic has been specially outfitted as a drive thru for referred patients experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath. While isolated in their vehicle, the patient will be registered, triaged, tested, and seen by a physician or advanced practice clinician. The clinic will only be available to those referred by an area physician or via the HMH Patient Symptom Hotline. Doctor Thomas Hustead, Medical Director for HMH Medical Group, said of the clinic, “We want to provide the best care possible without overwhelming hospital functions. I cannot say thank you enough to the physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, and staff who are working to care for clinic patients during these unprecedented times.”
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Since Friday afternoon, there have been 2 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hardin County, with one being an adult aged 21, and the first being a child. Since the announcement, local leaders have stressed to the public that taking steps, such as social distancing, can help limit the spread of the illness, and urge to continue safe habits to help keep the curve low in the Commonwealth. The juvenile who contracted the virus is a student in the Hardin County School system.
In his evening press conference on Sunday, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are currently 103 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Governor Beshear commended the hospitals of Kentucky for their efforts, lauding the only 6% ICU rate seen with COVID-19 in the state. The Governor added that over 2000 tests have been administered across the state. In terms of new steps being taken to combat COVID-19, Governor Beshear declared that all non-essential retail businesses be closed by tonight at 8 PM. This includes florists, bookstores, fashion, clothing, and shoe stores, entertainment and electronics stores, etc. This does not include grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, or drug stores
In a press release sent out Friday afternoon, the Lincoln Trail District Health Department confirmed that Hardin County had experienced its first positive case of COVID-19, the newest strain of coronavirus. The case was notable not only for being the county’s first, but because the patient is a student in the Hardin County School system.
Since Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the first case of COVID-19 on March 6th, three juveniles, including the one in question, have tested positive for the virus, with the most recent coming from Jefferson county just a day prior. After confirming that the patient, a 6-year old, had tested positive for the virus Thursday evening, Governor Beshear explained that while children are not immune to the illness, initial cases have shown that they are resilient.
“Their systems, from everything that we’ve seen, take it on and show little to no symptoms,” Beshear stated.
The same is true with Hardin County’s juvenile case.
“We know that this student exhibited no symptoms of the virus before we dismissed school last Thursday,” explained district spokesperson John Wright.
Wright says that the district has already taken proactive steps in the matter, working with the health department to help limit the spread of the virus.
“We will continue to do what is right to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff in the days and weeks to come.”
The demographics of the patient are not yet known, but will likely be released by Governor Beshear in his press conference Friday evening at 5 p.m.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a local city has taken preemptive steps to better prepare. The City of Hodgenville announced yesterday that Mayor Jim Phelps declared a state of emergency in the city. Executive order 2020-02 entitles the city to possible federal funds to combat the virus, as well as the ability to pass special rules and regulations if needed. So far, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Larue County.