At Friday’s coronavirus (COVID-19) briefing, Gov. Andy Beshear said there 134 new cases of the virus reported in Kentucky over the previous 24 hours, increasing the state’s total to 2,522 confirmed cases.
The governor said eight new deaths were reported on Friday (not including William Dean Smith of Grayson County), elevating the state’s death toll to 137 (5.4 percent fatality rate).
On a positive note, Beshear the 11-day-old baby who contracted the virus was now at home.
The newly reported deaths include two 80-year-old women, a 64-year-old man, and 73-year-old man from Jefferson County; an 83-year-old man and 96-year-old man from Russell County; a 93-year-old woman from Graves County; and a 49-year-old man from Muhlenberg County.
Of the 2,522 people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Kentucky, 979 have recovered (38.8 percent) while at least 1,008 (40.0 percent) people have been hospitalized, with 360 patients currently hospitalized. At least 514 (20.4 percent) victims have been treated in the ICU, with 277 patients currently being treated in intensive care units.
At least 30,596 Kentuckians have been tested for the virus, with 8.2 percent testing positive.
Reopening the state’s economy
Beshear discussed benchmarks that the commonwealth must meet in order to begin to reopen the state’s economy while keeping Kentuckians safe from COVID-19. The steps reflect federal guidance announced Thursday by the White House.
“We believe our approach is very much in line with the White House,” Beshear said. “The plan put out by the White House has certain thresholds that states should meet before we start taking certain steps. The benchmarks are being driven by public health. We are all on the same page about what keeps people safe.”
Beshear said meeting state’s seven benchmarks will determine the phases for reopening parts of the economy.
Benchmark criteria for Kentucky to move to the first stage
- 14 days where cases are decreasing
- Increased testing capacity and contact tracing
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) availability
- Ability to protect at-risk populations
- Ability to social distance and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on large gatherings
- Preparedness for possible future spike
- Status of vaccine and treatment
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, said, “Normal going forward is not the same as normal going into this. When we start lifting restrictions, I want to be very clear, there will be more disease. More people will get infected. There is a counterbalancing need with people’s need to go on with life and people’s need to remain safe. We have recognized that all along.”
Once Kentucky meets certain first stage benchmarks, the White House provided guidance on what the first stage of reopening could like, which could include:
Guidance for the first stage of reopening economy
Individuals
- Individuals should continue to practice good hygiene
- People who feel sick should stay home
- All vulnerable individuals should continue to shelter in place
- All individuals, when in public, should maximize physical distance from others
- All individuals should avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, unless precautionary measures can be strictly observed
- Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel
Employers
- Should continue to encourage telework
- If possible, should return to work in phases
- Close common areas
- Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel
- Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population
Specific types of employers
- Schools and organized youth activities that are currently closed should remain closed
- Visits to senior living facilities and hospitals should still be prohibited
- Large venues (sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) may operate under strict physical distancing protocols
- Elective surgeries can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines
- Gyms can reopen if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols
- Bars should remain closed
The governor reminded Kentuckians how important it is to stay fluid and flexible based on the severity and number of cases in the state and the status of a vaccine and treatment options.
“We think that following these benchmarks, possibly before May we could see some loosening in the healthcare area,” he said. “We could see the ability to open up in some small ways before May, during May and beyond, but this will be a phased approach based on our benchmarks and recommendations from many groups. We have to ensure any actions we take protect the sacrifices that so many Kentuckians have made.”
More information
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 Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
