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Health Department Director speaks out about Coronavirus

Posted at 5:09 PM, Mar 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-19 18:55:56-04

HARRISON COUNTY, Ky (LEX 18) — The small town of Cynthiana is where Kentucky's first patient tested positive for the coronavirus. Dr. Crystal Miller, director of the Wedco District Health Department, says she expected to see more positive cases by now, but believes the county's proactive social distancing early on has helped considerably.

"If we would not have put drastic measures in place, like closing schools and local businesses, I absolutely think we'd see more." said Dr. Miller. "We're ahead of the entire state because we were the first to experience this, so obviously I expected more cases."

Miller says of the county's seven cases, six remain active. Inside a conference room at the Wedco District Health Department, members of her staff are fielding calls and monitoring current and potential COVID 19 patients.

Miller says following the governor's mandates is critical to Kentucky's response to COVID 19. So far, Miller tells LEX 18 all Cynthiana businesses are abiding by the new rules in our new normal.

If a business does not? "If they refuse to close, then we will work with law enforcement." said Miller.

She hopes people use vigilance on all fronts, especially with social distancing. "I think this is a marathon, not a sprint. We've been sprinting in Harrison county and I expect to see more cases , expect to see a peak. It's very important we follow the governor's lead on everything we can do as a community to prevent the spread of disease."