Health officials in Pike County confirmed the county’s first coronavirus case.
They made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday.
Details are limited right now, but we do know the patient is a 28-year-old man.
He is in self-isolation.
Kentucky has 591 confirmed cases of the virus and 17 deaths.
This story is developing.
We obtained this Press Release from PMC
The Pike and Perry County Health Departments have announced, and Governor
Andy Beshear will announce, the first positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID19) in Perry
and Pike County, KY. This release is to confirm that the patient announced by the Perry County
Health Department during yesterday’s press conference, was transferred from another
healthcare facility to Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) for the purpose of receiving a higher level
of care. PMC, following the CDC guidelines, elected to test the patient for possible COVID19.
The results were reported to PMC as being positive. The patient has been isolated since arrival
in PMC’s ICU and is receiving treatment from our highly skilled and competent staff.
In a separate incident, a second patient whose results were positive, is a PMC employee that
was tested due to possible COVID-19 exposure from an employee from another healthcare
facility. As a precaution, PMC tested our employee. The test was reported as positive. The
employee is in home quarantine and is reported to be doing well. Due to HIPAA guidelines, we
are not able to discuss any specifics about either patient at this time. The two incidents are
unrelated.
PMC is following all standard protocols and recommendations made by the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. PMC is also in communication with the Governor’s office and
the Pike County Health Department on the progression of the patient’s condition with COVID19.
“Pikeville Medical Center is well prepared for this event,” explained Pikeville Medical Center
CEO and Vice President of the Board of Directors, Donovan Blackburn. “Our staff is following all
infection prevention measures regarding exposure to patients with COVID-19. The safety of our
patients, visitors and staff at PMC is always our top priority. You can rest assured that we are
taking appropriate precautions to limit exposure to this virus.”
As a leading world-class healthcare provider, Pikeville Medical Center has been preparing for an
infectious disease outbreak for several years. Our program is managed by Director of Infection
Control, Nina Reynolds. PMC is also extremely fortunate to have not one, but two, world-class
Infectious Disease and Infection Control physicians on staff. Medical Director Dr. Fadi Al
Akhrass and Dr. Muhannad Antoun, are highly trained professional physicians in this field of
expertise. Dr. Al Akhrass, who is well known and respected by his colleges in this field, has
been working closely with the CDC, state and local health departments for weeks, preparing for
this or any infectious occurrence.
“PMC is well prepared to handle this situation,” said PMC Medical Director of Infectious
Disease and Infection Control Dr. Fadi Al Akhrass. “We have the capability to take care of
suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19, even the critically ill ones, by utilizing the
techniques we have developed and exercise in PMC’s Highly Infectious Disease Unit.”
The best way to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, such as COVID19, is to practice good hygiene. To lower the risk from spreading respiratory germs, including
COVID-19, the CDC and the Pike County Health Department encourages the following effective
behaviors:
Wash your hands with soap and water twice as often and twice as long. Use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing
or sneezing.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Stay home when you are sick.
Avoid contact with sick people.
Individuals seeking general information about COVID-19 are encouraged to call the Kentucky
COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-722-5725 or by visiting the following websites:
Kycovid19.ky.gov
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
About Pikeville Medical Center
Pikeville Medical Center is 348-bed regional referral center and Kentucky’s only level II trauma
center. PMC offers over 400 services, including every major specialty and many subspecialties,
and features the region’s most advanced medical technology.
PMC employs more than 3,000 people and has nearly 400 credentialed healthcare providers.
PMC’s mission is to provide world-class quality healthcare in a Christian environment. For more
information, please visit www.pikevillehospital.org.