Confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have topped 1,000 in Kentucky after 54 new cases of the virus were reported Monday by Gov. Andy Beshear at his daily briefing.
There are now 1,008 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state, and with 14 deaths reported Monday the state’s death toll has increased to 59.
Kenton County, in northern Kentucky, was hit particularly hard with five deaths, including a 96-year-old man, and three women ranging in ages from 89 to 92. Jefferson County lost four residents, a 74-year-old man and 86-year-old man, and two women ages 56 and 85. Campbell County, also in northern Kentucky, reported two deaths, an 81-year-old man and 63-year-old man. Boyd County’s fatality was a 96-year-old man, with a 74-year-old woman from Fayette County also passing away. In McCracken County an 81-year-old man perished from the virus.
“Our goal in Kentucky is, while we know there will be loss and we know it will be heartbreaking, that we control our own destiny by what we do and we minimize the loss that we are going to have here,” Beshear said.
Of the 54 new cases announced Monday, Beshear said two state inmates and four staff members tested positive for the virus at Green River Correctional Complex in Muhlenberg County.
Other new coronavirus cases are in Jefferson, Boone, Muhlenberg, Boyd, Kenton, Christian, Hopkins, Marshall, Rockcastle, Todd, Barren, Campbell, Crittenden, Fayette, Madison, Montgomery, Oldham, and Shelby counties.
Monday’s increase of 54 cases around Kentucky is “a lot less than we expected at this point,” Beshear said. “What you are doing is working.”
The governor said Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville is “being hit pretty hard” as nine residents and three employees who have tested positive for COVID-19. Three of the residents who tested positive have been hospitalized.
Call to action
“Our actions every single day make a difference”, the governor said. “Just remember those traits from the Greatest Generation: personal responsibility, integrity, work ethic and faithful commitment. Those same traits can guide us through this coronavirus. I know this generation – us – we can be great, too. We can be great by passing this test of humanity, protecting the people around us and throughout Kentucky.”
Beshear asked any person, organization or business to donate more personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers in the fight against the pandemic.
“I know we still have more PPE out there, and we need it,” Beshear said. “This is a call to action, and you all have responded, but I know there’s more.”
The governor said others have said latex-free gloves, gowns and N95 and surgical masks remain in tight supply. He said his administration is constantly attempting to purchase more PPE, but has faced daunting challenges.
“Almost every lead we get is like going down a rabbit hole, or it is diverted by the federal government or to a different place.”
A new hotline (1-833-GIVE PPE) and website (giveppe.ky.gov) have streamlined the donation process. In addition, PPE donations are being accepted at all 16 Kentucky State Police posts across the commonwealth and at Transportation Cabinet offices in Louisville and Lexington.
Message to non-compliant pastors and church congregations
Beshear played a video message directed at non-compliant pastors and congregations who continue to hold in-person services. The video was produced by Dr. F. Bruce Williams, senior pastor at Bates Memorial Baptist Church in Louisville.
“I know that we have faith, but we also know that we are guided by faith and wisdom and both of those are important,” said Dr. Williams. “They’re not mutually exclusive. God has given us faith, but he’s also given us consecrated common sense, so let’s join them in making sure that the flock that we guide – that we are the shepherds that not only feed them, but also we’re the kind of shepherds who protect them.”
Maryville Baptist Church in northern Bullitt County has continued to hold in-person services despite local, state and federal mandates to practice social distancing and cease in-person services.
State parks to be used to quarantine front-line workers
Beshear announced the state would begin allowing first responders and front-line health care workers to quarantine in cabins at state parks in five locations across the commonwealth, allowing those workers to quarantine away from their families and other loved ones, if necessary.
“It’s a good use of those state parks and we’re excited to do it,” he said.
First responders and health care personnel interested in accommodations should contact their local emergency management operations center or visit kyem.ky.gov.
CDC-recommended steps to take, squashing rumors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to follow these steps to prevent illness. Kentuckians who want advice may call the state hotline at 800-722-5725 or call their local health care provider
Beshear continues to urge Kentuckians to be cautious of rumors and depend on proven and good sources of news, including governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
