LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Mondays are no fun, to begin with, so to see an increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in central Kentucky over the weekend, made for some additional doldrums.
"It is out there, and it is spreading," said Kevin Hall from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. Hall added that it's no longer mainly a prison community issue, which we saw in the previous 45-60 days.
"In April, when we had our increase in cases what we were seeing, many of those were because of the 200+ cases at the Federal Medical Center. What we're seeing now, from mid-May up until now, all of the increases are from community spread," Hall said.
And that's the good news. Because not one of the 56 new cases reported this morning was the result of gathering in large groups to protest, those demonstrations began 11-days ago.
"…in the next week or so we'll start to see some numbers come in," Hall predicted about the likely spike that's on the way due to those large gatherings.
The rise also comes when other non-essential businesses like libraries and museums are going to re-open on Monday. Hall knows each business is doing its part to help limit the spread but urges people to continue observing guidelines.
"Wearing the cloth mask, washing your hands. And if you're sick, stay at home," he said.
Hall said the health department first started warning Kentuckians of COVID-19 back in January.
"We said it then, we'll say it now, and we'll say it months from now; COVID-19 is serious. It's continuing to spread," said Hall.
