Posey County Health Officer Tests Positive for COVID-19

The head of the Posey County Health Department says his case proves anyone is susceptible to the virus.

At five-- a health official in posey county-- experiencing first-hand the effects of covid-19 and tonight-- 44news reporter-- valerie lyons-- is live from mount vernon with an update on his recovery-- and the county's plan to outlast the pandemic... if covid-19 has shown us anything -- its that anyone can contract the virus -- even the top health official -- right here in posey county.

"my results actually came back then showing positive."

Kyle rapp got the news sunday night -- he has covid-19.

"i've been able to go since march til now without catching it.

I would consider myself one of the higher risks."

A higher risk indeed -- as the health officer for the posey county health department - he has been leading the community's battle.

He's at home recovering right now -- but as the top health official for the county -- he says his result proves -- anyone is susceptible to the virus.

"some might say well dr. rapp was wearing a mask and he still got it - nobody said a mask is 100% - it doesn't mean you can't get it if you're wearing a mask and you're social distancing."

His case is just one of several being reported across the county daily so -- with the addition of a new testing site in mount vernon -- mayor bill curtis hopes more people will be proactive.

"it's close, it's here, it's convenient so people don't have to have transportation to go to evansville.

It's quicker the test comes back -- it's supposed to be within 24 hours that they're expecting results."

In fact -- rapp says -- a test taken - on tuesday when the site opened for the first time -- has already revealed results for the patient.

A quick turnaround he says is the key to getting to moving the county forward.

"i think in the long run will be good for our community even though we might see an up-tick in the number of positives, it'll be good to catch those so we can limit their risk of exposing others simply because they didn't get tested."

Rapp says his symptoms have come and gone in waves but that overall his case has been pretty mild.

For now -- he's urging all posey county residents to take advantage of the new drive-up testing site and to keep following guidelines.

Live in mount vernon--vl-44 news.

Developing tonight --