42 more COVID-19 cases in KY, including 2 in nursing home. Beshear restricts travel.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 42 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths in Kentucky Monday, bringing the official state totals to at least 480 cases and 11 deaths.
He also signed an executive order instructing Kentuckians to avoid almost all out-of-state travel and said a resident and employee of a Campbell County nursing home tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the first known cases in a Kentucky long-term care facility.
Beshear said one of the deaths — an 88 year old female Kenton County — was a presumptive positive. The other death was a 90-year-old female from Simpson County. Both people had underlying symptoms, he said.
“Both had some other symptoms, but the coronavirus was ultimately a factor that took them from us,” Beshear said.
The official numbers provided by Beshear are likely lower than the actual number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kentucky. For example, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department announced 19 new cases Monday and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced 32 new cases. Beshear only listed eight new cases in Lexington and 17 in Louisville.
Beshear’s administration also didn’t include new cases in Edmonson County and Simpson County and an existing case in Barren County, all of which have been reported by the Barren River District Health Department.
Beshear did report news cases in 12 counties: Fayette, Jefferson, Bullitt, Woodford, Marion, Campbell, Marshall, Christian, Warren, Clark, Kenton and Boone.
So far, Beshear estimates that between 15,000 and 21,000 people have been tested for the coronavirus in Kentucky. The state’s public health lab in Frankfort has tested 6,810.
Speaking of the nursing home cases, Beshear said it appeared both people began showing symptoms at about the same time and that there was a quick response. He said at least four other residents or employees are now being tested and that the nursing home patient has been moved to a hospital. He did not provide the name of the facility.
Beshear’s order instructs Kentuckians to stop traveling to other states, except for essential reasons, including: work; buying groceries or other essential items; seeking health care; taking care of a loved one; or complying with a court order. Most surrounding states have significantly higher numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases and people should be “staying healthy at home” anyway, he said.
He noted that most surrounding states have far more confirmed COVID-19 cases than Kentucky, and has prevously expressed concern that Tennessee hasn’t closed nearly as many public-facing businesses as Kentucky.
“The weather’s turning really nice, we don’t want you to go [across the state line] for pedicures,” said LaTasha Buckner, Beshear’s chief of staff.
Beshear said anyone who traveled out of state for any reason other than the exceptions must self-quarantine for at least 14 days. He said police have the power to enforce the executive order banning travel, but suggested that the only way it will truly be effective is if people follow it because they believe they’re doing the right thing.
The Democratic governor also said more than 600 students have volunteered to help with the medical response to the pandemic, including 342 medical students, 210 nursing students, 43 pharmacy students and 53 others.
After receiving reports of crowded home improvement stores this weekend, Beshear said he talked Monday with leaders at Lowe’s and Home Depot and told them “we have to do better.” He said the companies were cooperative and are working to ensure people remain six feet apart while in their stores. He said if problems persist, he will order them to shut down.
Kentucky residents can call the state coronavirus hotline — 1-800-722-5725 — for advice about when to seek medical treatment. People with symptoms of coronavirus — cough, fever and difficulty breathing — should call their health care provider directly.
To report large gatherings or establishments not complying with the state’s orders, visit govstatus.egov.com/kysafer or call 1-833-KYSAFER.
This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 5:44 PM.
