A press release April 14, 2020 at 12:05 pm from Thursa Sloan, Public Health Director
Prestonsburg, Kentucky has confirmed the first COVID -19 case in Floyd County, KY.
Today we have received verification that we have the first case of the coronavirus or COVID 19 in Floyd County Kentucky. This is a 22 yr. old male who is doing well at home and has been in self-quarantine for the last several days while awaiting test results. The Floyd County Health Department investigation team has begun the process of getting information regarding contacts to this person. While we believe the current risk to the community is minimal at this time, we will continue to monitor the situation. The best
way to prevent further risks to our community is to avoid travel and if we must travel practice social distancing.
“We knew that it was very likely that we would begin to have cases from this community acquired virus, and have used that time to prepare along with your community leaders, local health care, EMS, and others for weeks. There will likely be more cases in the days and weeks ahead,” said Thursa Sloan Health Department Director.
Going forward the health department wants to stress the need to do your part by staying healthy at home.
Do not visit your friends, family outside your home, or participate in any group gathering with anyone that does not live in your home unless it is work related and follows the social distancing rule of 6 feet apart.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, cover your cough, avoid close contact with those who are sick, stay home from work if sick, clean and disinfect high traffic and often touched items in your home and at work.
Seek information only from reliable resources such as CDC, KYCOVID19.ky.gov or call 1-800-722-5725.
If you are sick but would not normally seek medical attention then stay home but if you feel you must have medical assistance please call ahead for information to your medical provider.
We will continue to update the public on a daily basis regarding the county cases as they occur via our Floyd County Health Department Facebook page and by other media sources. If we are provided your name as a contact of a case which means that you were around this person for more than 30 minutes and closer than 6 feet within the past 14 days then we will need to reach out to you for information and provide you advice on what you need to do to help stop the spread of this virus.
Again please do your part and do not be with anyone other than those you live with all the time in your home. If you have to work please practice social distancing and only go to the grocery, pharmacy, or other essential places you must go and avoid all large crowds.