Fayette County Health Commissioner Kraig Humbaugh told Lexington council members efforts continue to test staff members at the Federal Medical Center for coronavirus.
During an update with city officials Wednesday, Humbaugh said testing of guards and other staff members at the federal prison is not mandated. “They can’t require that their employees or they won’t require their employees to be tested, but they have helped us to spread the message,” said Humbaugh.
Humbaugh said 276 inmates at FMC have tested positive for coronavirus which is about 35% of Fayette County’s total case count. He noted five staff members have tested positive. Humbaugh said cases have been declining at the federal institution while increasing in the Lexington community.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said she’s concerned downtown protests over two police related African Americans’ deaths in Louisville in Minneapolis could result in additional coronavirus cases. The mayor noted police believe daily protests could continue through this coming weekend. “This is why our testing is going to be really important and we’re encouraging through various means for people who are protesting to go out there and get tested,” explained Gorton.
Gorton said there’s a testing emphasis in Lexington’s Swahili and Hispanic communities because the number of cases has been rising there. And the mayor added health care providers are reporting a slight uptick in coronavirus cases.?
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