The Christian County Health Department today lifted suggested restrictions on local activities, such as team sports and community events.

The announcement was made along with a report of the county’s 24th COVID-19 related death, a 66-year-old woman who had underlying health conditions, health officials said.

Although some groups declined to go along with the restrictions that were aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, the local coronavirus incidence rate did decline during the period County Health Director Kayla Bebout sought cooperation.

When Bebout issued her guidance on Sept. 23, the county’s incidence rate was 26.4, which put the community in the critical “red zone” on the state’s color-coded chart that indicates the level of coronavirus spread in a community.  On Thursday, the incidence was 21.5.

“Many of our community partners worked with the health department to temporarily cancel activities and events that would help contribute to the spread of COVID-19, and we appreciate the diligence from those in the community who worked with health department staff to follow the recommendations,” spokeswoman Amanda Sweeney said today in a news release.

She said the healthy department will continue to monitor the incidence rate, which is the county’s seven-day average of new cases adjusted for a population of 100,000.

“Although we have seen a decline in our incidence rate, the health department urges the community to be diligent in our efforts to follow the current guidelines that have been put in place by state officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” she said. 

Christian County Public Schools declined to follow the health department’s guidance between Sept. 23 and today. Instead, the district continued with athletic competition. The three local private schools — Heritage Christian Academy, University Heights Academy, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School — also continued with their athletic competition. 

Following a Sept. 25 game at Murray, Hopkinsville High School’s football team had 30 players begin quarantine because they were exposed to a Calloway County player who tested positive for COVID-19.

As of Thursday, the school system reported one active staff case and 11 active student cases. The number of students under quarantine was 55, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard. The district has a total of 8,710 students and 1,188 staff. 

The YMCA and Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation agreed on Sept. 24 to follow the health department’s guidance. (However, the Hopkinsville-Christian County Youth League was allowed to play games this week at the Ruff Park baseball fields off North Drive. Although the city provides maintenance services at Ruff Park, the county owns the property and leases the ball fields to youth league for $1 a year.)

Meanwhile, the health department is urging the community to follow the state’s mandate to wear a mask in public and directions on quarantines, which last two weeks.  

“If you are in quarantine, stay in quarantine until released by the Christian County Health Department,” Sweeney’s release stated. “A negative test result within the 14-day quarantine period does not release individuals from quarantine. Actions can be take against those who do not follow the orders directed by the health department to quarantine.”

While Bebout’s guidance for restrictions on activities has expired, the state’s guidance remains in force. 

The health department urged residents to follow these guidelines:

• All places of work need to revisit and ensure that they adhere to the Healthy at Work guidance. Ensure policies and procedures are following guidelines.
• All retail/workplaces/facilities/restaurants need to have signs posted stating that masks are required before entering the facility, per Healthy at Work guidance.
• If you own a business open to the public, have someone at the door ensuring patrons are masked before entering the place of business.
• Fitness facilities ensure equipment is spaced 6 feet apart, to promote social distancing, and increase cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
• Restaurants ensure you are only seating patrons at 50% capacity.
• Healthcare facilities put procedures in place to ensure patients are social distanced in waiting room areas.
• Ensure all health care workers are wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Facilities housing any events or venues, please keep attendance at no more than 50% capacity and ensure all attendees are wearing a mask.
• If you are considered in the “high risk” population (65 years or older or those immunocompromised), consider staying at home as much as possible and social distancing from others.
• Schools please review and continue to follow matrix, guidance, and expectations given by Governor Beshear, Kentucky Department of Public Health, and Kentucky Department of Education. https://govstatus.egov.com/kycovid19
• Long-term Care facilities follow guidance, and expectations given by Governor Beshear, Kentucky Department of Public Health, and Cabinet of Health and Family Services.

(This story has been updated to clarify that county government owns Ruff Park, including the baseball fields where the Hopkinsville-Christian County Youth League continued to play games during the time frame the county health director asked community groups to suspend certain activities, including sports.)

(Jennifer P. Brown is the editor and founder of Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org.)