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In an effort to fend off the spread of the coronavirus, more than 100 Kentuckians have signed "self-monitoring" agreements with the state that require them to monitor their health, stay home and get the state's permission before traveling. 

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State law gives public health officials broad authority to take action when there's high risk that "any infectious or contagious disease will invade this state" — and can even compel a person's compliance with a judge's order.

As many as 122 people in Kentucky have signed the agreements to be monitored by the Department of Public Health, Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday morning. But only a dozen were actively being monitored at that time, he said.

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Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said self-monitoring began when the outbreak was localized to China. But, as the CDC updates its guidance, the state is following suit.

“Should this disease become more common, it will change further because we will have to change our approach to evaluating patients," Stack said. "It could potentially be a broader number of people who need to be tested instead of the very narrow definition that was used appropriately in the beginning.”

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The agreements last 14 days, which is the window of time in which symptoms of coronavirus, officially called COVID-19, can appear. After two weeks with no symptoms or further exposure, the person is no longer considered at risk.

Stack said people considered at-risk were asked to voluntarily comply with the self-monitoring agreement, and most agreed to the state's request.

In extreme situations in which a person is both high-risk and unwilling to cooperate, Stack said the state can seek a court order from a judge to compel compliance. That has not happened, he said.

“There were a very small number of persons who didn’t want to comply for whatever reason, but because they were in the lowest possible risk category, it did not rise to the level of seeking a court order," Stack said. "Which is a serious step. We take very seriously people’s civil liberties and we don’t encroach on those without very serious care and consideration for what’s appropriate for public health and what is a true public health need.”

The measures required are "reasonable and necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission and spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus," according to the document.

Anyone who is self-monitoring must take their temperature at the same time each day and send the results to the Department of Public Health. They must also let officials know if they develop a cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing.

Additionally, they agree to avoid all public places, gatherings and transit — no work, school, malls, churches, buses, trains or planes. They also cannot leave the county or state without prior department approval.

Kentucky's Self-Monitor Restricted Movement Agreement by Courier Journal on Scribd

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State law allows the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to "adopt and enforce such rules and regulations as it deems efficient in preventing the introduction or spread of such infectious or contagious disease or diseases."

That includes establishing and strictly maintaining quarantine and isolation when deemed proper, the law says.

Kentucky has not had any confirmed cases of the coronavirus, though it has sent two tests to the CDC for analysis. Both were negative.

The virus, officially called COVID-19, has been confirmed in a dozen states. There have been at least 127 confirmed cases in the U.S., and nine people have died from the virus. Globally, about 93,000 people have been sickened and more than 3,100 have died.

Reach Tessa Duvall at tduvall@courier-journal.com and 502-582-4059. Twitter: @TessaDuvall. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/subscribe. 

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Here's what self-monitoring for coronavirus means in Kentucky

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