Gov. Andy Beshear said at his daily coronavirus (COVID-19) briefing on Friday that Kentucky experienced its largest single day increases in confirmed cases of the virus.
The governor said 322 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed since Thursday afternoon, increasing the state’s total to 3,779. Nine new deaths were also announced by Beshear, elevating the state’s death toll to 200 people (5.3 percent).
The governor said the deaths occurred in Graves (3), Shelby, Adair, Jackson, Hopkins (2), and Muhlenberg counties.
The Muhlenberg County death is connected to Green River Correctional Complex in Central City, with Beshear saying all inmates and staff will undergo COVID-19 testing over the next several days. The facility reported 10 new coronavirus cases on Friday (eight inmates, two staff members). Overall, 40 inmates and 20 staff members of the facility have tested positive for the virus. Two COVID-19 deaths are connected to the prison.
Forty-three Kentucky counties reported new cases Friday, including nearby Muhlenberg, Hopkins, Ohio, Butler, Edmonson, Breckinridge, and Hardin counties, as well as Grayson County.
Of the 322 new cases, 48 (14.9 percent) are residents of long-term care facilities, 17 (5.3 percent) are staff members. Five of the state’s nine new deaths are connected to nursing homes.
“This is what this virus does. This is why we work so hard,” Beshear said.
To date, 578 (15.3 percent) nursing home residents and 268 (7.1 percent) staff have tested positive for coronavirus. Ninety-one (45.5 percent) COVID-19 deaths have come from long-term care facilities (one staff member, 90 residents).
Beshear said 1,143 (30.2 percent) victims have been hospitalized, with 303 people currently being treated in hospitals. As of Friday afternoon, 575 (15.2 percent) victims have been treated in intensive care, with 164 people currently in ICU.
The governor said 44,962 people have been tested for the virus in Kentucky and 1,341 (35.5 percent) victims have recovered.
COVID-19 test sites
A new drive-thru testing partnership with Walmart was announced by the governor, as testing will begin Wednesday at a location in Louisville for first responders and healthcare workers with or without symptoms, and anyone 18 and older who are symptomatic.
The governor said there are 11 locations across the state that will be open next week for testing: Louisville (2), Lexington (2), Bowling Green, Cadiz, Hazard, Hopkinsville, Mt. Vernon, Murray, and Owensboro.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
