Five coronavirus deaths push Fayette total to 38

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – With five additional deaths and another near-record day for new coronavirus cases, Lexington-Fayette County health officials continue to urge residents to abide by health and safety guidelines.

Lexington has 5 new COVID-19 deaths and 58 new cases, bringing the city’s totals to 38 deaths and 2,134 cases, the department said in its morning update Tuesday.

Since the start of July, Lexington has had 581 COVID-19 cases and nine deaths.

The most recent deaths were: two people in their 90s, a person in their 70s and two people in their 60s.

The city’s highest one-day totals to date have been:

• 83 cases, July 9
• 65 cases, July 10
• 62 cases, July 6
• 58 cases, July 13
• 56 cases, July 11
• 46 cases, July 1
• 41 cases, June 26
• 40 cases, June 24
• 39 cases, July 8, June 30 and June 14

Case investigations are showing people who report going to public businesses while infectious, the department said.

People are also contagious at the start of their illness, including 1-2 days before symptoms begin, meaning it can be spread without any symptoms being shown. This is why wearing a mask is important.

Remember to stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others, the deprtment advised.

“We also continue to see cases in people returning from vacations to national COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ like Florida and South Carolina,” according to the department’s update.

The recommendations for slowing spread of COVID-19 remain the same for any reason you are out in the public:

• Wash your hands often
• Avoid close contact with others
• Wear a cloth face covering in public.