At his daily briefing on Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky’s confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has risen by 39 since Monday, giving the state 163 confirmed cases of the virus.
“With this being the single biggest day that we have had so far with an increase in cases, we are going to have to keep taking increasingly significant steps as we move forward,” Beshear said. “We know we are in the time in any pandemic when we have escalating cases and we have to act, act now and act in a significant way that protects our people.”
The state’s initial positive coronavirus test was reported on March 6. Between that initial diagnosis and March 20, 63 cases of COVID-19 were reported, but since Friday night, Kentucky has recorded 100 positive coronavirus tests. Contributing to the rapid elevation in cases in Kentucky is at least partially due to more people being tested. Currently, and according state officials, just over 3,000 people have been tested for the virus out of roughly 4.5 million Kentuckians.
Beshear said no coronavirus casualties occurred over the last 24 hours. So far, four victims of the virus have passed away and four victims have recovered.
The newly diagnosed cases are in Christian, Clark, Daviess, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Martin, McCracken, Menifee, Muhlenberg, Pulaski and Warren counties. As of Tuesday evening, 31 of Kentucky’s 120 counties have confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Beshear said one of the newly diagnosed cases, a male in is mid-20s, arose from a “coronavirus party.”
“Anyone who goes to something like this may think they’re indestructible, but it’s someone else’s loved one they’re going to hurt,” Beshear said.
Kentucky’s most populous county, Jefferson County, continues to lead the state in confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 40 (one confirmed case previously credited to Jefferson Co. has been changed). Fayette County has the next most confirmed cases with 28, as 16 Fayette County residents were diagnosed with the virus over the last 24 hours. Daviess County surpassed Harrison County, where the initial COVID-19 diagnosis in Kentucky was made, with the third most diagnosed cases with 12. Harrison County has 11 confirmed cases.
Non-life-sustaining businesses ordered to cease in-person traffic by Thursday night
In response to the rapidly increasing confirmed cases of the virus in the state, Beshear is ordering all non-life-sustaining businesses to close to in-person traffic by Thursday night at 8:00.
The businesses allowed to stay open include: grocery stores, drug stores and pharmacies, banks, hardware stores, agricultural operations, gas stations, media, businesses needed for transportation (logistics, shipping, delivery and pick-up, and housing), building and construction, laundry, financial services, home-based care and services, professional services, manufacturing and other businesses key to national interests or life-sustaining goods or services, and those covered under the federal critical infrastructure sector.
Beshear said the order will be issued Wednesday to give businesses more guidance.
Also on Tuesday, Beshear signed an emergency clause granting school districts’ unlimited non-traditional instruction days while rescinding attendance requirements. State education officials additionally announced on Tuesday that K-PREP testing for the school year has been cancelled.
On Monday, Beshear provided a phone number — 1-833-597-2337 — to report businesses believed to be conducting dangerous business practices that run counter to social distancing. The hotline will be staffed daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The governor said the number received approximately 2,000 calls Monday night.
The number for the state’s COVID-19 hotline is 1-800-722-5725.
Find the state’s COVID-19 website by clicking here.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
