LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On March 6, Kentucky had it's first positive case of COVID-19. The virus changed the way we lived, worked and view public safety, and while there are many ways to protect yourself from the virus, positive cases continue to impact our community.
Just four years ago, officials encouraged social distancing and business like movie theaters and gyms were ordered to close.
That's no longer the world world we're living in today, but organizations like the Kentucky Nurses Association and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness continue to offer services to fight COVID-19.
Retired nurse practitioner who volunteers with KNA Teresita Wisdom was monitoring COVID-19 test samples in a pop-up clinic. She said it's an easy was she can make a difference in her community.
"COVID is still within us, and it's in our midst, and it's not going away," Wisdom said.
KNA continues to host both free private and public testing sites across Jefferson County.
"We're still seeing COVID infections and we're still seeing people getting sick, getting hospitalized," Wisdom said.
According to LMDPHW, between mid-December to mid-March the metro had over 12,000 positive cases.
A chart from the Kentucky Department of Public Health, COVID-19 cases continue to drop within the state. It also shows that influenza cases currently surpass COVID-19,
Associate Medial Director at LMDPHW Dr. Kris Bryant said they will continue to offer free testing services through partnered organizations.
"That doesn't mean testing is still not available," Dr. Bryant said. "We want to make sure everyone who wants to be tested, who needs to be tested, has access to testing."
The Centers for Disease Control recently changed their guidance for those who test positive for the virus.
"You should stay at home until you feel better and you've not had a fever without taking a fever reducing medicine for at least 24 hours," Dr. Bryant said. "For some people that might be for five days or even longer. But for other people they might stay home for a day or two and then they can go back out in the community again."
Dr. Bryant said navigating this respiratory virus wouldn't be possible without organizations like KNA.
"They supported us with whatever testing or vaccination," Wisdom said. "We really care for our community and we love our people."
Wisdom and the CDC also encourages for everyone to get a vaccine. The new guideline also said those who recover from a COVID-19 fever are encouraged to take steps to not infect others. This includes wearing a mask and taking at-home tests to detect if you're still infectious.
LMDPHW will continue to partner with organizations like the KINA to offer free tests.
Click this link to check out where those locations are, and find out how you can get a free COVID-19 home tests at Louisville Park community centers.
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