Coronavirus trends continue to move in the right direction across the Commonwealth, but Fayette County’s new health commissioner advises against letting your guard down. Dr. Joel McCullough said recent CDC data still had the Lexington area in the high category. McCullough looks for a drop in COVID cases to continue.
“What I foresee is that the numbers will still go down and I hope they go down quickly. I would say I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ll be in a better place a month from now,” said McCullough
He said the appearance of other coronavirus variants can’t be ruled out.
Dr. McCullough spent a part of his professional career focusing on environmental health matters. He also served as medical director of environmental health in Chicago. Restaurant inspections are carried out by workers in this department. Dr. McCullough said the hope is that inspections make a lasting impression.
“We’re only there for part of the time, but it’s up to the food establishment workers and owners to ensure that they follow proper processes all the time, even though we’re not there. So, it’s part inspection and part education,” said McCullough.
As spring approaches, insects will return and so will the possibility of mosquito-borne illnesses. McCullough said most are simply nuisance mosquitoes, but tried and true technologies are used to control populations. The new Fayette health commissioner said that can include spraying and eliminating breeding sources.
Here's more of the interview with new Fayette County Health Commissioner Dr. Joel McCullough
