Gov. Andy Beshear said at his daily coronavirus (COVID-19) briefing that a record 114 new cases of the virus have been diagnosed in Kentucky. The governor also announced that seven people died as a result of the virus over the previous 24 hours.
The largest single day of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths increases Kentucky’s confirmed COVID-19 cases to 594, with 18 deaths now attributed to the virus.
The deaths occurred in Bullitt, Campbell, Fayette, and Jefferson counties. The Jefferson County deaths included an 87-year-old woman, an 81-year-old woman, a 74-year-old man and 66-year-old man. The other three victims were at least 60-years-old and all the victims had underlying health issues.
All 18 deaths in the state have been victims over the age of 60.
Counties reporting their first confirmed COVID-19 cases include Hancock, Graves, Russell, and Henry. Edmonson County recorded its first two cases on Monday.
Other new cases were identified in Hopkins, Hardin, Daviess, Shelby, Kenton, McCracken, Kenton, Jessamine, Fayette, Jefferson, LaRue, Madison, Clark, Montgomery, Scott, Union, Carroll, Woodford, Bourbon, Anderson, Christian, Laurel, Rockcastle, Pulaski, Russell, Muhlenberg, and Henry counties.
Jefferson County, with a population of nearly 780,000, leads the state with 206 confirmed COVID-19 cases (34.7 percent of Kentucky’s confirmed cases).
Limited travel
On Monday, Beshear issued an executive order greatly limiting Kentuckians’ travel outside the boundaries of the commonwealth. On Tuesday, the governor said he does not want people from outside Kentucky visiting the state.
“Now is not the time for people from other states to come to Kentucky to visit,” he said. “We’re going to have to look at what options we have,” adding that one of those options is a mandatory 14-day quarantine for visitors.
Beshear, taking a tough stance on travel, added that Kentuckians should not even cross county lines unless it’s necessary.
Evictions
Beshear, reiterating an executive order he signed last week, said there will be no evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while a state of emergency remains in place. He did, though, encourage people who are financially able to pay rent to do so.
Masks
Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s Public Health Commissioner, said as coronavirus cases continue to rise more people are beginning to wear masks as they run errands and shop at stores. He said that wearing a mask in those conditions is likely not necessary for most citizens, adding that people should only wear masks if they are showing symptoms.
One-year state budget?
Speaking to the possibility of Kentucky legislators passing a one-year instead of a two-year budget, Beshear said, “If a one-year budget is what lets them come in, pass a budget and go home, that’s the best thing for their health and everyone around them.”
The governor also signed an executive order allowing municipalities to re-hire retired law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders without adversely affecting their pension payments.
Beshear additionally encouraged people to not hold yard sales during the state of emergency.
Kentucky’s COVID-19 informational website can be found here. The state’s coronavirus hotline is 1-800-722-5725.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
