UK, UK HealthCare Officials Provide Updates on COVID-19
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 16, 2020) – On Friday afternoon, University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare officials provided updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation on campus.
COVID-19 Testing at UK HealthCare
Working closely with Kentucky’s Department for Public Health and commercial reference laboratories, UK HealthCare continues to evaluate and test new patients as clinically appropriate. Asymptomatic patients are not being tested based on established protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since the beginning of COVID-19 in Kentucky, UK HealthCare patient has seen one positive inpatient (recovered and discharged early Friday afternoon) and two positive outpatients; 21 patients have tested negative so far. Any patient being evaluated for or confirmed to have COVID-19 at UK HealthCare is isolated per CDC guidelines.
Students Returning from Abroad
The university had about 70 students who were participating in Education Abroad programs in Europe. Staff at the UK International Center has been working around the clock to make arrangements for these students who had been in Europe to return immediately to the United States.
Upon their re-entry, all students coming from Europe are required to self-isolate for 14 days after their arrival in the U.S. The students’ names and information have been shared with UK HealthCare staff, who will be following up with the students daily to monitor any symptoms they may have and provide guidance as needed.
The International Center will be working with these students to help them consider their academic options to support the continuation and completion of their coursework for the semester.
Protocols for People Who Suspect They Have Been Exposed to COVID-19
In accordance with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, UK HealthCare experts continue to recommend self-triage for people who think they may have been exposed to the virus but are not experiencing serious symptoms.
To help prevent further spread of the disease, people should call their health care provider directly to discuss their symptoms and determine whether they need to come to a health care facility, or call Kentucky’s coronavirus hotline at 1-800-722-5725 for guidance. People who have mild symptoms without a fever should remain home until their symptoms resolve.
UK HealthCare Urges Healthy Kentuckians to Support Kentucky Blood Center
Due to fears around COVID-19, over the past week blood centers throughout the country are experiencing a significant drop in donations, which is limiting the ability for the nation’s blood supply to be adequately replenished.
Donating blood is a safe and sanitary process. The coronavirus does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives. The Kentucky Blood Center’s coronavirus statement has more information on eligibility to donate and self-deferral for certain donors.
UK HealthCare leaders are urging healthy Kentuckians to support the Kentucky Blood Center through donations. The KBC supplies blood to every hospital in Fayette County and to more than 70 hospitals across the Commonwealth. The center needs approximately 300 unique donors every day to keep up with the demand for blood supplies used in a number of life-saving procedures.
To make an appointment to give blood, or to set up a blood donation drive in your community, call the Kentucky Blood Center at 859-276-2534. Walk-in donations are also accepted.
