LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The city of Lexington announced that they are taking steps to prepare in case of coronavirus spreads.
Mayor Linda Gorton today pulled together a meeting at City Hall to ensure that Lexington is prepared just in case.
“We’re planning, not panicking; acting, not overreacting,” Gorton said. “We’re making sure we’ve done everything possible to prepare our City … that our essential services can function well in this kind of emergency, if needed. As a nurse I learned long ago that preparation is the key to handling a situation like this.”
The city will be advised by the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department concerning public health decisions.
There are currently no reports of the coronavirus or COVID-19 in Kentucky.
Like other coronaviruses, illness caused by COVID-19 is primarily respiratory in nature, and can range from mild to severe. Influenza infection can begin with similar symptoms and is still widely circulating in Kentucky.
According to the CDC, as of 2/26/2020, more than 40 countries have at least one confirmed case of the coronavirus. In the United States, there are 14 confirmed cases.
"It's not in Kentucky, it's not in Lexington obviously, but we are anticipating it will make its way into the United States. It wouldn't be surprising for it to end up in Kentucky," said Kevin Hall with the Health Department.
Hall says symptoms of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, are similar to the flu: fever and body aches.
He says prevention is similar.
"It's stay home when you're sick, wash your hands frequently," said Hall.
Last month, UK announced that students wouldn't be permitted to travel to China, and all non-essential university-sponsored travel for faculty and staff would not be approved.
Transylvania University released a statement concerning the coronavirus:
"All cities where our students are currently studying abroad are being monitored by our Office of Global and Intercultural Engagement, and all May term and summer travel course locations will be evaluated closer to departure time. We have cancelled travel to Asia for one staff member who had plans to go there."
Up-to-date information is available on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html [cdc.gov] .
