COVID-19

Purchase District Health Department COVID-19 Vaccination Update

The Purchase District Health Department is currently in Phase 1a of the vaccination plan.  We are working on vaccinating those who fall into Phase 1a which includes health care workers and first responders at this time. When we progress to Phase 1b it will be released to the press.  Phase 1b includes persons 70 years of age and older and frontline essential workers.

We are thankful to be able to vaccinate our community’s healthcare workers. If you are an interested healthcare worker with direct patient care, you must provide the following information to covid19@purchasehealth.org, then you will be notified as soon as possible with an appointment time.

Name
Business affiliation
Direct patient care role
Date of birth
Phone number
Email
Preferred County (Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman, McCracken)
Preferred Day: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday
Preferred time: 7:30a-11:30a or 12:30p-4:30p
 

*If you cannot be present 28 days from initial dose, please do not register for the vaccine.

Please do not call the health department to schedule your vaccine.

Current Counts of COVID-19 in Kentucky and the Purchase District:

As of 3:30pm, January 15, 2021.

Positive Tests:

McCracken County

Ballard County

Carlisle County

Fulton County

Hickman County

Recovered:

Please make sure to follow the site specific directions for being tested: 

For more information for Baptist Health Testing please CLICK HERE. 

For more information for My Drive Thru Med Testing please CLICK HERE. 

For more information for Mercy Health Testing please CLICK HERE.

Please make sure to follow the site specific directions for being tested: 

For more information on KentuckyCare, please CLICK HERE

Background

The CDC is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (named COVID-19) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which continues to expand.

Updated Information & Resources

• CDC Novel Cornovirus (COVID-19) Site
• Kentucky Novel Cornovirus (COVID-19) Site
• COVID-19 Hotline toll-free (800) 722-5725
• PDHD Facebook
• Governor Beshear’s Facebook
• Cabinet for Health and Family Services Resource site
• Purchase Area Health Connections Resource Guide
• TITK Non Traditional Instruction Resources
• Medicaid Assisters: KY Benefits
• Dental Emergency Information for the Purchase Area
• CDC what you need to know fact sheet: English and Spanish
• BH MH testing sites
• testing site Kentucky Care

Medicaid Assisters are still available: In the Purchase District? Contact Brenda Cooper at 270-331-6123

In need of resources? Please go to www.purchasehealthconnections.com/community-resource-guide/ for resources in the Purchase Area. Please call resources prior to going in person. 

How COVID-19 Spreads

Much is unknown about how COVID-19, a new coronavirus, spreads. Current knowledge is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS, SARS, and now with COVID-19.

Most often, spread from person-to-person happens among close contacts (about 6 feet). Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It’s currently unclear if a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Typically, with most respiratory viruses, people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).

Symptoms

For confirmed COVID-19 infections, reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.

Prevention & Treatment

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using facemask.
  • CDC recommends that people wear masks in public and when around people who don’t live in your household.
  • Masks should NOT be worn by children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 infection. People infected with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.

People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact your healthcare provider immediately.