Only 113 new COVID-19 cases in Kentucky. Pools and KY Kingdom to reopen in late June.

andy-beshear-03-30
andy-beshear-03-30

Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday reported 113 newly confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Kentucky, increasing the state’s number of cases to 9,184.

Over the last four days, the average number of COVID-19 cases reported by the state stands at 124, a significant drop in the daily average over the last several weeks, as Beshear praised the efforts of Kentuckians.

“We don’t want 113 new people to have this virus, but in a day where we are testing so many, this number continues to show a decrease that we should all be very grateful for, but very committed to making sure that it continues,” Beshear said. “At one point, we expected by May 4 we’d have 16,000 new cases in a week. You prevented that. That’s what you did.”

Beshear reported nine new deaths Thursday, raising the total to 409 (4.5 percent fatality rate) Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Thursday include a 74-year-old woman, an 80-year-old man and two 85-year-old men from Boone County, a 71-year-old man from Grant County, a 66-year-old man from Jefferson County, a 72-year-old woman from Warren County, a 67-year-old woman from Butler County, and a 70-year-old man from Kenton County.

To date, 2,180 (23.7 percent) victims have been hospitalized, with 494 people currently in a hospital. Officials report that 937 (10.2 percent) patients have been treated in ICU since the beginning of the pandemic, with 88 victims currently in ICU.

At least 3,181 (34.6 percent) victims have recovered from the virus, and 221,118 (about 5 percent of Kentucky’s population) tests have been administered in the state. 

Public pools

Beshear announced that he is hopeful the state will be able to open a limited number of public pools the week of June 29 with extensive precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

He emphasized that local leaders may choose to keep pools closed based on their assessment of whether safety requirements can be met.

“That does not mean that a city will or will not open pools. There is a huge hit on budgets, and even states that have allowed it cities have not done it,” the governor said. “I ask you to trust in your local leaders on how they choose to do that.”

Leitchfield officials announced last week that the Leitchfield Aquatic Center will not open for the 2020 season. 

Kentucky Kingdom

The governor also reported that Kentucky Kingdom will reopen June 29 with extensive precautions in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Based on talks we’ve had over the last several days, we can announce that Kentucky Kingdom will be able to open the week of June 29,” Beshear said. “We appreciate the operators of the park for working on the reopening plan.”

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com