As more Kentucky counties gradually announce positive COVID-19 tests, many people in rural areas are wondering if their hospitals and other medical facilities are prepared for outbreaks in their communities.

, who said rural hospitals would not be able to handle a large number of COVID-19 cases.

Director Ty Borders said there are not enough specialist physicians, intensive care unit beds or other equipment to handle an outbreak. Many rural hospitals are already struggling with finances and shortages of equipment. Recently, this includes hospitals in Pineville and Ashland.

But some local officials and health departments said they developed strategies and alert systems, and are as prepared as possible. They still stress the importance of hand-washing, social distancing and staying home if sick.

“Pikeville Medical Center has proactively prepared for this novel coronavirus, and we encourage everyone to take the necessary steps to stay safe and well," James Glass, Vice President for Development at Pikeville Medical Center, told the Herald-Leader.

“I wish it’s not going to happen here. But let’s be prepared for that. And I think we’re prepared, at this point, to be able to manage these problems here in this area,” said PMC’s Infectious Disease Specialist Fadi Al Akhrass MD, FACP. “From PMC's standpoint, we are definitely prepared. We have policies in place to take care of patients.”

Appalachian Regional Healthcare announced in a release Thursday that all emergency departments are providing further protection by having separate screening areas for people with respiratory symptoms.

"As the region’s largest health care system, our top priority is the health and well-being of our patients, caregivers and the communities we serve in Eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. We are focused on limiting the spread of illness, treating patients who are ill and protecting people in our community,” ARH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maria Braman says. “We want our communities to know that it is safe to come to our ARH hospitals and Emergency Departments, and that this is an additional step we are taking to protect them when they come to our hospitals seeking care.”