The Bell County Health Department continues to encourage safe practices as the nation continues to fight against the novel COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bell County Judge Executive Albey Brock there continue to be no confirmed cases in Bell County.

“As of Monday the 27th at 2 p.m. we have tested a total of 192 people for COVID-19 with 183 negative results and we have nine pending results,” Brock explained.

According to state reports, since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 6, the virus has been documented in nearly every county, with the number of cases topping 3,700. Deaths from the disease rose to 200 on Friday but so far, 13 counties still do not have a confirmed case including Bell and Harlan counties.

“Certainly when you have zero confirmed cases it makes you feel good,” said Middlesboro Mayor Rick Nelson. “But we also need to be prepared just in case we do and continue our good practice to prevent the first occurrence or the recurrence of COVID-19 or the potential spread of this disease.”

What is the common denominator between these counties that have kept the positive confirmations at zero?

Common factors include the communities being largely rural and stores continuing social distancing practices.

“I’m very proud of the citizens, store owners, and local health department officials who have taken this pandemic seriously,” said Brock. “I want to thank those who have and are still wearing masks in public, those who are practicing and enforcing social distancing measures. One has to believe that is why we have not had an outbreak here in Bell County.”

The Bell County Health Department continues to encourage these safe practices:

• Stay healthy at home
• Avoid crowds and gatherings
• Know when to seek care
• Stay up to date at KYCOVID19.KY.gov
• Wash hands and surfaces
• Apply for benefits
• Prioritize mental health
• Do not travel
• Report non-compliance

“Now is no time to relax on those measures,” Brock continued. “Rather, this is a time to double down on those measures.”

Local officials are continuing to work hard to keep crowds to a minimum and are pushing social distancing.

“I know we all want this to be over, but unfortunately we aren’t there yet, so it’s very important we continue to protect the elderly and those with underlying health conditions that are most vulnerable and hardest hit by COVID-19,” Brock stated. “The way we do that is continuing to pray daily, having only one person per household go into the store, stay six feet apart, and please wear a mask – it could save you or your loved one’s life!”

Brock encourages the community to continue to pray for those affected by the virus.

“Pray for all of our frontline essential workers and for our continued blessing of not yet having a confirmed case here in Bell County,” he said.

For the latest updates throughout Bell County, you can follow the Bell County Health Department on Facebook.