Kentucky has reported its first death from the coronavirus: A 66-year-old man from Bourbon County.

The patient had been diagnosed with the virus Friday and was in "bad shape" while receiving treatment at Baptist Health Lexington, Gov. Andy Beshear said.

"I hope everyone out there is praying for them," Beshear said of the man's family and friends.

Beshear said the coronavirus "was only a factor" in the man's passing. But he is still counting it as a coronavirus death.

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In a press release, Baptist Health Lexington spokesperson Ruth Ann Childers said the patient had "complications due to multiple medical conditions."

The director of the Bourbon County Health Department confirmed the patient had other underlying health issues, though she could not provide more information.

About 80% of the people who get COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, according to the World Health Organization. But older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions — including heart disease, diabetes and lung disease — are at higher risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Bourbon County Health Department is working to make sure the patient's co-workers and family members are not also showing symptoms of the virus, said Andrea Brown, public health director. But local leaders have not been in touch with the family since the patient's death, she said.

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"It's very distressing, it is heartbreaking and tragic," said Michael Williams, judge executive of Bourbon County, who urged community members to give the family privacy.

"Like we've all experienced, they have lost a loved one. That in itself is very stressful. But the added stress of the media focus and the government focus has to be overwhelming. ... I'm hopeful that everyone in our community and across the state will be considerate of that."

Brown and Williams said it's important for everyone statewide to continue following the governor's recommendations and to practice healthy habits, including hand washing and social distancing.

"If we do this, we'll get through this a lot faster with a lot more success for the rest of the commonwealth than if we don't do it," Brown said.

"This is advice that is important for everyone to follow, especially those in the at-risk age range and anyone who has chronic conditions or underlying health issues. As you can see from unfortunately our resident here, it does impact those people at a greater rate. Everyone needs to take this advice to protect those that are more vulnerable."

Beshear reported Monday morning that the state had 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Six of the cases are in Harrison County, an additional six cases are in Jefferson County, five cases are in Fayette County, and Montgomery County, Bourbon County, Nelson County and Clark County each have one case.

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More than 250 people have been tested in Kentucky for COVID-19 as of Sunday evening, according to the state's Cabinet for Health and Family Services website.

Beshear expressed sympathy for the Bourbon County patient's family and called on Kentuckians to continue taking precautions that will prevent further spread.

"My family, and every Kentuckian, is lifting up this individual's friends, family and community in our thoughts and prayers," Beshear said. "We are a resilient people. We will move forward. We will get through this. But we need everybody doing their part."

Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen.

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