From WRIL -
Today Bell County Judge Executive Albey Brock and Health Department Director Teresa Hunter went LIVE on social media with WRIL for the announcement of the county's first positive coronavirus COVID-19 case.
Both Brock and Hunter let the public know that the individual is a juvenile male who has been quarantined since the family was notified Saturday May 16, 2020 of the diagnosis. They also went over the standard practices the health department employs in situations like this to assure that contact tracing is and has been performed.
Judge Executive Brock emphasized the continued need for social distancing and washing of hands, which is what he has done from the onset of this pandemic. He also encouraged the public to be tested for the virus in several locations in the county and that he has been tested emphasizing that "it was not that bad and didn't take but 10 minutes". Brock said: " this is the way we assure that we don't have an outbreak here and we should be praying for this family.
Director Hunter expressed that if you have been exposed to this individual, you will be contacted by the health department.
After our broadcast, the mother of the child contacted WRIL and wanted to clarify any concerns the public may have after this announcement. While HIPAA does limit information being released by the health department the regulations do not restrict the parent or guardian from doing so. She has given us this release:
"My child has been quarantined since March 6th and not in the public, or anywhere for that matter, until a medical concern came up on May 8th that the child needed to see a specialist.
My child was referred to a specialist in Lexington and seen on May 13th at UK and confirmed that surgery was needed.
In order for the child to be cleared for surgery my child had to be tested for COVID 19 on May 15th. I was notified this morning (Saturday May 16th) that the COVID 19 test was positive.
Everyone that my child has been in contact with (which is only a hand full of people, his close family) are getting tested for the virus. As of now my child is 100% asymptomatic and we will be quarantined for the next 14 days at our home.
Instead of asking who it is, and trying to place blame on someone saying they didn’t stay home (whenever I assure you, we did) just pray for him instead because after reading some of these comments that is what I will do for you all."