LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department says 100 new COVID-19 cases have been reported, making it the most cases reported in a single day.
The city's total is now at 2,711 cases. There are no new deaths reported. 42 people have died from the virus in Lexington.
The city's highest one-day totals to date have been:
- 100 cases, July 23
- 83 cases, July 9
- 69 cases, July 15 and July 19
- 65 cases, July 10
- 62 cases, July 6
- 61 cases July 21
- 58 cases, July 13
- 56 cases, July 11
- 53 cases, July 22
- 46 cases, July 1
- 41 cases, June 26
- 40 cases, June 24
Reasons for the steady increase in cases include increased physical interaction in public places, family groupings, work exposures, and clusters in long term care facilities. The department says it has been experiencing a rise in cases in Lexington since mid-May, with no sign of slowing.
"Unless people take action to protect themselves and their loved ones, Lexington will likely continue to have more cases, leading to potential limitations in the capacity of our healthcare delivery system to take care of our sickest patients," the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department writes.
Health officials say they've learned people are going to public businesses while infected with the virus. They say people are also contagious at the start of their illness, including 1-2 days before symptoms begin, meaning it can be spread without any symptoms being shown.
The health department says it's important to wear a mask and to stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others.
Travel to areas with higher case numbers of COVID-19 has also been identified as a likely source of infection for some Lexington cases. The state health department has issued an advisory for travelers to Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Texas, recommending that they self-quarantine for 14 days after last leaving these locations.
The recommendations for slowing spread of COVID-19 remain the same for any reason you are out in the public:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid close contact with others
- Wear a cloth face covering in public
As of Friday morning, there are 25,147 positive cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky. 684 people have died from the virus, and 7,046 people have recovered.
