Benton Man in Isolation After Returning From Italy

Alec Foust told West Kentucky Star he had been studying in Italy as part of a study-abroad program when he was asked to return home. According to Foust, after the U.S. Department of State issued a level three travel advisory for Italy, his home university sent him a notice indicating it was time to make the trip back to the states.

Italy is currently one of the hardest hit countries in regards to COVID-19 infections. As a result, the country is under a mandatory four-week quarantine which is affecting 16 million people.

With approximately 10,000 people infected within Italy, nearly 500 have died as a result of the virus.

Foust says they had arrived at the Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Milan before the semester began in February 24. A week before the semester began there were numerous cities to the south of Milan that had shut down, with the number of infected individuals growing rapidly. At this point the University began delaying classes to be cautious.

When Foust began his journey back home, airline officials checked his temperature. He says that after he was able to show that he didn't have a fever, he was allowed to board the plane. After arriving home, he placed himself in isolation out of an abundance of caution. 

He said, "I don't think I have anything but I don't want to risk it."

Foust is currently staying with his parents and says that his family is also limiting their interaction with the community, just to be safe. He is continuing his final semester coursework through the Italian university online.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Andy Beshear announced that eight people in the Commonwealth had tested positive for COVID-19. So far the virus has only popped up in Harrison, Feyette, and Jefferson counties.