Marshall County Health Department Confirms County’s Second Case of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Marshall County Health Department has received notification of the county’s second confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID19). He is a 35 year old male and is self-isolating at home. There is no known connection with the first confirmed case. The first case was a 31 year old male and he too is selfisolating at home.

The Marshall County Health Department is currently contact tracing for both of these cases. Contact tracing is a highly effective way to protect the public from infections. This is used to prevent the spread of infections and to provide rapid response to those who might be newly infected. It is a fundamental part of outbreak control, used by public health professionals around the world.

Once a patient has tested positive for the virus, work is carried out to identify anyone who has had close contact with them during the time they are considered to have been infectious. Those who test positive for coronavirus will speak to a clinician who gathers detailed information on places they visited and people they came into close contact with since they became unwell. This builds a very specific picture of the people who need to be contacted, such as family members or co-workers.

A close contact can be defined as someone living in the same household, someone who had direct or physical contact with an infected person, or someone who has been in close proximity for an extended period of time. People who have passed the patient in the street or in a store are at very low risk and will not be traced.

Privacy protection laws only permit the release of limited patient information. The health department will not release any additional patient information. Patient confidentiality must be protected. Contact tracing works with patients and maintains their confidentiality.

If you have questions or need additional help, go to kycovid19.ky.gov , call the state hotline at 1-800722-5725, call your medical provider, or call the Marshall County Health Department at 270-527-1496. Please see our Facebook page for the latest information.
This is an ongoing situation and is evolving rapidly. Marshall County Health Department will provide updates as new information become available.