LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As we head into the holiday season, Kentucky now has a COVID-19 testing positivity rate of over eight percent.
Experts are projecting our largest surge in numbers is still to come after the holidays, though, which worries already overwhelmed healthcare workers.
Michelle Dille is one of those healthcare workers. She's a nurse on UK's ICU floor and a traveling nurse in Bowling Green. She's urging everyone to re-think the way they celebrate the holidays this year.
"I think being together is not necessarily about being together physically, in a space, but sharing yourself through any way that you can," says Dille.
If numbers do spike like they are projected to after the holidays, it could mean more changes to hospital protocols. Next week UK healthcare is closing more of its operating rooms. The goal is to make room for more patients with COVID-19 and to decrease overall hospital admissions.
But to help keep the surge after the holidays minimal, Dille says everyone has a part to play, so at least wear a mask.
"Do you want to run the risk of next Thanksgiving mom's not there? Next Thanksgiving, Uncle Jerry isn't there because you unknowingly spread a potentially fatal disease for your family member," says Dille.
