UPDATE: Officials announced two new cases Thursday morning, bringing the county total to three.

Pikeville Medical Center Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fadi Al Akhrass said 90 tests have been performed at the hospital with at least six still pending. We’re told in addition to the PMC employee who tested positive last week, another person tested positive there. Both of those patients are recovering at home.

There was another positive case confirmed at Tug Valley ARH at South Williamson. Officials there say that patient is being treated at the hospital.

Judge Executive Ray Jones said he would consider a countywide curfew if he thinks it will become necessary. Jones also said he will likely issue a new executive order soon that would prohibit gatherings in public places.

Jones said rumors of a planned Easter egg hunt were reported to his office, which led to the decision to enact an executive order to close the park at Fishtrap Lake and all other county parks.

“We are trying not to impose any greater burden On the citizens of this county and our businesses than we have to,” Jones said. “But if we start seeing businesses keeping tanning beds open, we start seeing churches have Easter egg hunts, I will have no choice.”

He said the disregard for the rules is a disregard for life.

“In an area where most people consider themselves pro-life, It’s inconceivable that people want to minimize what 60,000 people dying really is,” Jones said.

Pikeville Medical Center also made a plea to the public, saying the hospital is prepared but does not need an influx in COVID-19 patients.

“This is really a cry from all of us because we want you to be safe,” said Dr. Fadi Al Akhrass, Infectious Disease Specialist at Pikeville Medical Center. “We believe we are prepared at this point based on our ability and our stockpile however, things may change. That’s why we need to contain the problem.”

He said social responsibility is the most impactful weapon.

“This is our responsibility to follow the preventive guidelines,” said Al Akhrass. “And the number of people who are dying are gonna be our responsibility.”

Original: Two more cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have been confirmed in Pike County, KY.

At a press conference on April 9, 2020, Pike County Judge-Executive Ray Jones reported that two more citizens have tested positive for COVID-19 in Pike County, KY. These cases are the latest in Eastern Kentucky and are the third confirmed positive case in Pike County.