(Update March 14, 6:12 p.m.) -- Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa confirmed deputies from his office are enforcing the isolation of a man who officials say tested positive for the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gives an update Saturday on KET concerning COVID-19 cases in Kentucky, where he announced a Nelson County man had tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Buy this photo

"We're going to be out here 24/7 for two weeks," he said in a phone interview with The Standard. He said he was on the scene personally when a reporter for The Standard spoke with him. He said the man "was cooperating now."

He declined to give the location of the residence.

(March 14, 3:54 p.m.) -- The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nelson County was announced Saturday afternoon.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear at a press conference said a 53-year-old man from Nelson County tested positive and had resisted isolating himself.

“We have had the first instance of a person who has refused to self-isolate, we have taken steps to force an isolation that will be in their home,” Beshear said.

Beshear gave few details about the forced self-isolation, but said the man left against medical advice and refused to self-quarantine. He said the state worked with the county judges and others to force the isolation.

“It’s a step I hoped I would never have to take but we can’t allow one person who we know has this virus to refuse to protect their neighbors,” Beshear said.

At least two sources who did not want to publicly identify themselves told The Standard the man was tested at a Louisville hospital and left against medical advice on Friday. He gave the hospital a Meade County address, but officials learned he resides in Nelson County.

Beshear, the former Kentucky Attorney General, said the state would take steps necessary to limit the spread of the disease, including enforcing measures against people who test positive and refuse to self-isolate.

“There are judicial ways to handle that,” he said. “There are remedies.”

Beshear urged everybody to take unprecedented precautions, including social distancing, limiting contacts and good hygiene. He recommended that all public gatherings be canceled.

“Stand six feet away from the person you are with right now,” Beshear said. “We need you to do it.”

Beshear also told people who think they might be showing symptoms of the disease not to go to the hospital but to use the state hotline, 1 (800) 722-5725.

“Don’t go to a health care facility,” Beshear said. “Don’t overwhelm our health care facilities.”

Beshear warned that the state is preparing to see an increase in the number of confirmed cases over the next week. He also indicated that the state was likely to see its first death soon from COVID-19 and “multiple factors.”

Beshear said it would take everybody working together to limit the spread of the disease.

“Be a good neighbor. Do the right thing. That’s all we’re asking of people,” he said.

The Lincoln Trail District Health Department, which serves Nelson, Hardin, Marion, LaRue, Meade and Washington Counties, issued a press release Saturday afternoon announcing the department had received confirmation of a positive Coronavirus Disease 19 case.

The state has a website with official information available at https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/pages/covid19.aspx

The following personal and community prevention measures are recommended to prevent

further transmission of COVID-19 for all residents.

Personal Prevention Measures

❖ Avoid close contact with people who are sick with fever, coughing, sneezing, and

difficulty breathing. To avoid close contact, stay at least 6 feet away from others.

❖ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

❖ Stay home when you are sick.

❖ Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. To avoid

coughing into your hands, you can cough into your elbow.

❖ Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household

cleaning spray or wipe.

❖ 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.

Community

❖ Practice social distancing (6 feet away) and limit your participation in schools, meetings,

worship services and other public gatherings.

❖ Implement environmental surface cleaning measures in homes, businesses, and other

locations, including frequently touched surfaces and objects, i.e., tables, doorknobs, toys,

desks, and computer keyboards. Use regular household cleaning spray or wipes as

recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

People at Higher Risk for COVID-19 Complications

Adults over 60 and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney

disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. If you are at increased risk for COVID-19, it is especially important for you to take the following actions to reduce your risk

of exposure:

❖ Stay at home as much as possible.

❖ Make sure you have access to several weeks of medications and supplies in case you

need to stay home for prolonged periods of time.

❖ When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact (6

feet away) and wash your hands often.

❖ Avoid crowds.

Reliable Information

Please continue to obtain the most reliable information on COVID-19 from these recommended

sources:

❖ The Centers for Disease control website located at

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

❖ The KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services

http://kycovid19.ky.gov

❖ Lincoln Trail District Health Department

❖ www.ltdhd.org

❖ The public may also utilize Kentucky’s public hotline at 1-800-722-5725.

To ensure limited medical resources are used wisely we are encouraging individuals to use the

following guidance prior to seeking care:

Worried, but well

❖ Do not go to a hospital, ER or doctor’s office. If you are worried-well, going to a hospital

or doctor’s office just further overwhelms medical staff and adds to a higher

concentration of people. If you are worried-well stay home.

Feeling ill, but otherwise would not have sought out medical care

❖ If you have a fever or cough and, if it were not for COVID-19, you would not have

otherwise sought care, do not seek care at an ER, hospital or doctor’s office. If you want

advice, call the state hotline (1.800.722.5725) or your local health care provider.

If you are sick and feel you have an emergency

❖ Call your doctor or seek medical care. The hospitals across the state stand ready to serve.