Calloway County records first COVID-19 case

A Calloway County resident has tested positive for coronavirus, COVID-19, according to press releases from the Murray-Calloway County Hospital and the Calloway County Health Department.

The health department release confirmed that the person is a resident of Calloway County, but additional information was withheld, citing privacy laws.

However, the Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s release Friday morning said an employee has tested positive for COVID-19, after the person had visited with someone from out-of-town who was visiting Murray and later tested positive for COVID-19 upon returning home.

According to a Murray Ledger & Times article, the person visiting from out-of-town attended services Sunday at the University Church of Christ and was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday after returning home. “One Murray resident that this person spent time with is an employee of MCCH,” according to a release from the hospital.

According to the hospital release, the employee followed hospital procedures and disclosed that they had had contact with a person who had tested positive. The hospital performs staff temperature checks before each shift.

“The employee was wearing a mask already, but was taken to Occupational Medicine for evaluation,” the release said. “The employee was sent home and immediately instructed to be quarantined.”

According to the hospital release, the patient is “fine” and in quarantine.

“Until we have the capability to do widespread surveillance testing, we are utilizing the tests only for patients that a physician determines may be potentially at risk,” said Jeff Eye, Chief Nursing Officer for MCCH.

The hospital notified the Calloway County Health Department so that more extensive history and investigation can be taken as appropriate. The health department also issued a release.

“We believe the risk to the public is low, and as the situation evolves, we will continue to communicate with the CDC, the DPH (Department of Public Health) and the people of Calloway County,” said Kim Paschall, director of nursing for the Calloway County Health Department.

The health department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kentucky Department for Public Health to identify and contact those people who may have had contact with the patient. According to the release, these people will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

People who are concerned about exposure and risk should contact the Kentucky COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-722-5725.