Beshear: 134 new COVID-19 cases, six new deaths. Two of the deaths tied to Hopkins Co. revival services.

covid-19-logo-03-26
covid-19-logo-03-26

For the third straight day, Kentucky recorded over 100 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, Gov. Andy Beshear said at his daily briefing on Thursday.

The governor reported 134 new cases of the virus, bringing the state’s total to 1,452 (the new total includes some revision after the discovery of duplicate reports). The six new deaths reported Thursday in Kentucky increases the commonwealth’s COVID-19 death toll to 79 (5.5 percent fatality rate — The U.S. fatality rate stands at 3.5 percent: 464,865 cases vs. 16,498 deaths)

Beshear said four the deaths were reported out of Jefferson County while two new deaths were recorded in Hopkins County. Not counted among Thursday’s new fatalities is a death in Meade County, reported Thursday afternoon by Meade County Judge-Executive Gerry Lynn.

Thursday’s new cases are in Jefferson, Fayette, Hopkins, Butler, Muhlenberg, Henderson, Kenton, Lyon, Shelby, Clark, Daviess, Hardin, Jessamine, Knox, McCracken, McLean, Powell, Spencer, Todd and, Trimble counties.

The governor updated the COVID-19 totals at Green River Correctional Facility, in Muhlenberg County, where 17 people have tested positive. Of those cases, 10 are inmates and seven are staff members. At another hot spot, Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville, 19 total cases have been reported, with nine patients of the facility testing positive along with 10 staff members. Two deaths have been reported at the psychiatric hospital as well.

Beshear said 426 COVID-19 patients have required hospitalization, with 228 patients currently in the hospital and 105 of those in intensive care. He said 395 victims have recovered from the virus.

Beshear says worship at home or in a non-in-person setting

The governor reminded people during a week of religious observance of how important it is to worship from home or in a non-in-person setting. He noted this weekend holds special significance for several faiths, including Passover and Easter celebrations.

Beshear said over four dozen cases and multiple deaths, including Thursday’s two Hopkins County deaths, are tied to two church revival services, on March 15 and 16, at a Dawson Springs church.

“These are very special times,” he said. “But it’s very important that we worship from home, or a non-in-person setting. We now know that just from one revival in Hopkins County we’ve seen 54 cases and six deaths,” he said.

The governor noted that some of the victims were not at the revival but were infected in the community by those who had been at the services.

“I have never been as sure of anything in my faith as I am in this: We must protect each other,” Beshear said.

Praise for faith leaders

The governor praised the actions and sacrifices of all Kentuckians – and faith leaders in particular – in the fight against COVID-19.

“Our faith community is leading during this time,” Beshear said. “I couldn’t be more grateful and I couldn’t be more proud of our pastors, ministers, rabbis, imams, deacons and everyone else for not only recognizing that we need to be worshipping at home, but for all that they offer.”

Popular state parks closed
In a move to prevent crowds from congregating, Beshear announced that Natural Bridge and Cumberland Falls state resort parks have been ordered closed.

“We’re trying to keep as many of our state parks open as possible, but where we have seen crowds gather in a way to where we know we have to take action, we are.”

He said the move came after reports that people were not practicing social distancing on the trails.

Workers compensation order
Beshear has expanded the number of workers who can receive workers compensation if they are ordered to be quarantined.

La Tasha Buckner, the Governor’s general counsel and chief of staff, said the coverage was previously extended to healthcare workers and first responders.

“This is a group of people who have been on the front lines as well,” Buckner said. “Now we have a larger category of people who are required because of their jobs to have a lot of interaction with other people. And because of that they are at a higher risk for COVID exposure.”

The coverage will be extended to military, active National Guard, child-care workers, grocery workers, corrections officers, domestic violence shelter workers, child advocacy workers, rape crisis center workers, postal workers, and Department of Community Based Services workers.

Unemployment insurance update
Beshear offered one area of good news amid the deepening job losses across the commonwealth and nationwide: Beginning this evening, Kentuckians collecting unemployment insurance will receive an additional $600 payment. Officials also are working to address the unprecedented number of claims.

Josh Benton, Deputy Secretary with the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, said the state’s unemployment system is “taking in about 14,000 claims per day.” So far, Benton said, the state paid more than 208,800 Kentuckians more than $107 million in unemployment insurance.

The additional, federally funded benefit, which is retroactive to March 29, will be disbursed automatically and will come as a separate payment from other unemployment payments.

“We are working harder and faster than any other state,” Beshear said in reference to the state’s action to process unemployment. “We will keep working to make sure all Kentuckians get the help and resources they need.”

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the governor’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to follow these steps to prevent illness. Kentuckians who want advice can call the state hotline at 800-722-5725 or their local healthcare provider.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com