Deadly day as 11 new COVID-19 deaths reported. Beshear expands travel restrictions.

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Eleven coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths were reported in Kentucky on Thursday.

“Today is a tough day. A very tough day,” Gov. Andy Beshear said at his daily briefing. “We just lost 11 people. Let’s recommit to making sure we do everything we can so that we don’t have too many more days like today.”

The 11 deaths increase the state’s death toll to at least 31, and is the most deadly day since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Kentucky. The new deaths reported were in Jefferson, Fayette, Pulaski, Grant, Boyd, and Kenton counties.

Beshear said officials think one of Thursday’s victims is the first person with no underlying health issues to die due to COVID-19. He said health officials are trying to confirm that possibility.

In total, Kentucky as at least 770 cases of COVID-19, an increase of 100 cases since Wednesday – The governor said several of the new cases announced Wednesday contained several duplications.

Three of the new cases are patients or employees of Western State Hospital, in Hopkinsville. The facility is a state operated acute care adult psychiatric hospital, one of four operated by the commonwealth. Beshear said two of the victims are on ventilators.

Expansion of travel restrictions

Beshear said he is expanding his executive order limiting travel to include people traveling to Kentucky from outside the state now must quarantine for 14 days. People traveling through the state are exempt from the order.

“We have to make sure we don’t have folks who are traveling in, staying two days and leaving because that frustrates everything that we are trying to do right now,” Beshear said.

No school until at least May 1

Beshear announced he’s expanding his school closure order until May 1.

No overnight stays at state parks

Beginning Friday, April 3, no one will be allowed to stay overnight at any state park, including campgrounds and lodges.

Louisville Fairgrounds to be converted to field hospital

Beshear said state officials are moving forward, in conjunction with the Kentucky National Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with a plan to convert a portion of the Louisville Fairgrounds into a field hospital with a minimum of 2,000 beds.

“We want to learn lessons from watching other states and what they’re experiencing,” Beshear noted. “I want to have this set. I want to have it fully ready. I even want to be able to lock the doors to it to reopen when we need it. I want to have it ready before we need one of those … beds. And if we don’t need it, hallelujah.”

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com