Health Department Numbers Currently Show Only Seven Known Active COVID Cases In Edmonson County

CDC Recommends Less Testing In New Guidelines

COVID-19 numbers from Barren River District Health Department, 8/28/20.

Darren Doyle, story:
Edmonson County continues to show low positive COVID-19 cases, according to the latest data from the Barren River District Health Department. With only 5 new cases reported over the last 8 days, the coronavirus pandemic has consistently had a lesser impact on the county than some other areas of Kentucky.

The BRDHD reported a total of 132 known positive cases from the beginning of the pandemic in Edmonson County, with 113 recoveries and 12 deaths reported. Ten of those 12 deaths were reported from Edmonson Center. The center has reported no new deaths or any new cases in over two months. Total cases minus recoveries and deaths (25) equal seven active known cases in the county today.

New CDC recommendations regarding getting tested were also released this week. These guidelines recommend testing only when experiencing symptoms, which is in contrast to the Governor's Office's consistent recommendation of increased testing. Beshear still recommends more testing, especially if one has knowingly come in contact with someone with a positive case. Beshear disagreed with the recommendations and discussed them at his Wednesday press conference.

"That's reckless," Beshear said. "It contradicts everything that we know and have learned about this virus. It is inexplicable. And in Kentucky, we're going to still continue to do the right thing."

Some of the new CDC guideline language includes:

• If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with a COVID-19 infection for at least 15 minutes but do not have symptoms: You do not necessarily need a test unless you are a vulnerable individual, or your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend you take one.
• If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms and have not been in close contact with someone known to have a COVID-19 infection: You do not need a test.
• If you are in a high COVID-19 transmission area and have attended a public or private gathering of more than 10 people (without widespread mask wearing or physical distancing): ​You do not necessarily need a test unless you are a vulnerable individual or your health care provider or State or local public health officials recommend you take one.

The full CDC report can be read here.