Kentucky judges order ankle monitors for patients breaking COVID-19 quarantine News
Kentucky judges order ankle monitors for patients breaking COVID-19 quarantine

Kentucky Circuit Court judges on Tuesday ordered at least four COVID-19 patients to wear GPS ankle monitors for allegedly breaking self-isolation orders.

The first order was issued after a patient broke self-quarantine to shop on March 21. On March 27, Judge Charles Cunningham ordered two relatives to wear ankle monitors after one tested positive and after both refused to remain in isolation. Other orders were issued for similar quarantine breaches.

As of Friday, 18 cases and seven deaths were reported in Louisville. Judges issued orders to Louisville residents diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as family members of COVID-19 patients. Public health officials can ask a patient to isolate themselves. A Circuit Court judge can then approve or deny an isolation order. However, patients are not officially charged with a crime.

“The more we stay at home, the safer we’re all going to be,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said, addressing growing concerns during a Facebook Town Hall.

On March 30, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued a stay-at-home order for all residents, restricting out-of-state travel to only necessities: helping family, getting food, or getting medical care. As of Thursday, there are 770 total cases of COVID-19 and 31 deaths in the state.

“We ask for you to think about how you can be part of the solution and stop the spread of this virus,” Fischer urged.

For more on COVID-19, see our special coverage.