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RECOMMENDING PEOPLE IN HARRISON COUNTY PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING IN ORDER TO STAY HEALTHY. >> THE THREAT TO KENTUCKIANS IS STILL LOW. DENI: JUST ONE DAY AFTER ANNOUNCING THE FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19 IN KENTUCKY, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAYS HE EXPECTS THERE WILL BE MORE CASES. >> PEOPLE EITHER IN HARRISON COUNTY OR ACROSS KENTUCKY SHOULD NOT PANIC, BUT INSTEAD SHOULD BE PREPARED. DENI: THE PATIENT LIVES IN HARRISON COUNTY AND IS CURRENTLY BEING TREATED AT U.K. CHANDLER HOSPITAL IN LEXINGTON. WE’RE TOLD HE OR SHE IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION BUT IS IMPROVING. >> OUR HOSPITAL IS DESIGNED WITH SUBSTANTIAL ISOLATION CAPABILITIES SO THAT WE CAN DO THIS IN A VERY SAFE WAY FOR BOTH OUR PATIENTS AND OUR PEOPLE. DENI: THE STATE IS NOW RECOMMENDING PEOPLE IN HARRISON COUNTY PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING, BY STAYING HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND AVOIDING CROWDS. HARRISON COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED NEXT WEEK. THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE IS RECOMMENDING NURSING HOMES NOT ALLOW VISITORS AND PUBLIC GATHERINGS BE DELAYED. >> JUST BECAUSE WE ENGAGE IN SOCIAL DISTANCING, WE DO NOT LOSE OUR COMPASSION. WE ARE STILL HELPING EACH OTHER. WE ARE STILL CHECKING ON EACH OTHER. DENI: SO FAR, 14 KENTUCKIANS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE VIRUS. DOCTOR STEPHEN STACK, THE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER, SAYS THE STATE LAB IS NOW HANDLING THE TESTS AND CAN MAKE A DETERMINATION IN ABOUT 12 HOURS. >> WE HOPE THAT VERY SOON, PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO SEEK ROUTINE MEDICAL CARE AND GET A TEST FROM THEIR DOCTOR, NURSE, OR OTHER CLINICIAN JUST LIKE THEY WOULD FOR THE FLU OR OTHER IMPORTANT TESTS. DENI: BESHEAR HAS DECLARED

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One day after announcing the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said he expects there will be more cases in the state. During a press conference Saturday, Beshear confirmed the patient lives in Harrison County and is in isolation while being treated at University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center in Lexington. The patient was first treated at Harrison Memorial Hospital. He was listed in serious condition but is improving."People either in Harrison County or across Kentucky should not panic, but instead should be prepared," the governor said. Beshear and state and Harrison County health officials are now recommending people living in that county practice "social distancing" in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The governor said people should stay home as much as possible, avoid crowds and limit contact with people who are sick. Harrison County Public Schools will be closed next week and students will work from home. Beshear recommends nursing homes stop allowing visitors and that public gatherings should be delayed. His office is not advising businesses to close but urged employers to allow sick employees to stay home and still get paid. "Just because we engage in social distancing in any county, we do not lose our compassion. We are still helping each other. We are still checking on each other," Beshear said. As of 8 p.m. Saturday, 14 people have been tested for the virus with 13 tests coming back negative. Dr. Steven Stack, the state public health commissioner, said the state lab now has the ability to process coronavirus tests and can do so in about 12 hours."The state of Kentucky has all the test kits it needs to test everyone we need to test at this time," Stack said. "We hope very soon people will be able to seek routine medical care and get a test from their doctor, nurse or other clinician just like they would for the flu or other important tests." State epidemiologists are now tracing who the patient came into contact with before being quarantined. Dr. Mark Newman, executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Kentucky, said the hospital has the resources to treat the sickest of patients. "Our hospital is designed with substantial isolation capabilities so we can do this in a very safe way for both our patients and our people," Newman said. The governor has declared a state of emergency but urged Kentuckians not to panic. "This is something that we absolutely will get through," Beshear said. If you have any questions, call the coronavirus hotline at 1-800-722-5725.