Nearly 250 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have been confirmed in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said at his daily briefing on Friday.
The governor said the state now has 1,693 confirmed COVID-19 cases after reporting 242 new cases of the virus were confirmed over the previous 24 hours. Eleven new deaths were also reported Friday, increasing Kentucky’s coronavirus death toll to 90.
The newly reported deaths are six men from Jefferson County, ages 66, 68, 75, 92 and two 73-year-olds; a 77-year-old man from Butler County; a 75-year-old woman in Meade County (reported on Thursday by K105); a 75-year-old man in McCracken County; an 80-year-old man in Hopkins County; and an 81-year-old from Daviess County.
Kentucky’s COVID-19 fatality rate stands at 5.3 percent based on the numbers currently available. The U.S. has 502,876 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Friday afternoon, with 18,747 deaths (3.7 percent fatality rate). Recovered COVID-19 cases in the U.S. number 27,314 (5.4 percent).
“It is here,” Beshear said. “We are in the midst of our surge and escalating cases. Now is the time we have to be at our very best. The next couple of weeks being absolutely critical not only to us blunting or flattening the curve but really protecting those that are most vulnerable, especially our seniors that are in different types of assisted living facilities.”
On a happy note, the governor said at least 464 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, or 27.4 percent of diagnosed victims.
“… when you think about the period of time that it takes to recover, because it’s not real short, that’s real positive news already,” the governor said.
Stay strong
Beshear urged Kentuckians of all faiths to stay strong in the fight against COVID-19
“This is a time and weekend, a whole week for multiple faiths, that is about faith. It’s about knowing we have faced as people – as Christians, as Jews, as members of many faiths – many difficult, dark times, and we have prevailed,” the governor said. “We know that the weeks or the months ahead will be difficult. We know that there are going to be tougher days before there are easier days. But we also know because we have faith that we are going to get through this, and we are going to get through it together. We are going to pass this test of humanity.”
Attend a mass gathering and face a 14-day quarantine
While obtaining compliance and support from the overwhelming majority of Kentucky’s faith leaders, Beshear warned anyone planning to attend an in-person Easter service or any mass gathering this weekend will face quarantine orders.
“This is the only way we can ensure that your decision doesn’t kill someone else,” Beshear said. He added that officials are aware of only six churches in the commonwealth that plan to hold in-person services.
Anyone attending such a gathering will be notified that it is misdemeanor violation of the emergency orders issued by the governor and Kentucky Department for Public Health. Beshear said the order is for all mass gatherings and not just worship services.
Kentucky State Police will record the license plate numbers of any vehicle seen at the gatherings, as local health officials will then contact the people associated with those vehicles and require them to self-quarantine for 14-days.
“Folks, we shouldn’t have to do this,” Beshear said, stating the obvious. “What we’re asking is for you to love your neighbor as yourself. We shouldn’t have to do this.”
Beshear also played a video featuring faith leaders from around the state who stressed that Kentuckians need to stay healthy at home this weekend.
“I want to encourage you to meet together separately this Sunday, to remind you that on that first Easter Jesus came to people behind locked doors,” said Chris Michael, pastor of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Owensboro. “He will come to you as well.”
Long-term care task force
The governor said he has convened a new task force aimed at addressing COVID-19 concerns in Kentucky’s long-term care facilities, where residents and staffers are at elevated risk to coronavirus outbreaks.
The new 10-member advisory board is comprised of professionals who represent a range of specialties and perspectives.
“This is a fast-moving situation,” said Eric Friedlander, acting secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. “We’ve asked a very small group of individuals – 10 individuals, most of them physicians – to come and help us think through how to balance all these different things, and to make sure we’re protecting our loved ones.”
The board’s initial goal is to develop a variety of protocols to help the facilities operate safely while dealing with COVID-19 cases amid residents and staffers.
More information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Watch the Governor’s social media accounts at 5 p.m. ET each day for his regular briefing.
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 call their local health care provider.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
