hospital lockdown
© WKYT
Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville says a patient who tested positive for two strains of adult chicken pox is what prompted a lockdown at the facility Saturday evening.

In a news release, the medical center says it was determined that isolation of the patient was appropriate. Because of the lockdown, other patients and visitors were contained until additional testing could be completed.

To assure that there was no risk to the community, the medical center says it worked closely with local and state health officials and the Center for Disease Control.

CDC Spokeswoman Bernadette Burden confirmed to WKYT the center received a call from the Kentucky State Health Department about the patient on Saturday.

The hospital started releasing patients and staff who did not have direct contact with the patient, out of the emergency room around 7 p.m. Saturday.

Incoming patients were diverted to area hospitals.