100 new Kentucky coronavirus cases found. Total is 770. 11 new deaths confirmed.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 100 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky Thursday and 11 new deaths related to the novel coronavirus. That brings the statewide totals to 770 cases and at least 30 deaths.
“While the overall number of 100 seems like a lot, it’s not escalating as much as we’ve seen in other places,” Beshear said.
Beshear said the deaths, which occurred from Tuesday to Thursday, included four people from Jefferson County (a 70-year-old man, a 78-year-old woman, an 89-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man), three people from Fayette County (a 65-year-old man, a 77-year-old man and an 88-year-old woman), one from Boyd County (a 49-year-old man), one from Grant County (a 75-year-old man), one from Kenton County (an 85-year-old woman) and one from Pulaski County (a 62-year-old man).
The Boyd County man would be the youngest person to die of the coronavirus in Kentucky so far, as all of the other deaths have come in people who are older than 60. Beshear said all but perhaps one of the people who have died from COVID-19 in Kentucky had underlying medical conditions.
“We lost a lot of people today,” Beshear said. “Let’s wake up tomorrow and know that each one of those people we lost would want us to do even better... as we move forward.”
Beshear estimated that between 17,000 and 25,000 people have been tested for the respiratory illness. The administration has not been tracking how many people have recovered from the disease, but will do that going forward.
The governor said he had information about confirmed coronavirus cases in 74 of Kentucky’s 120 counties in Kentucky and he listed new cases in 29 counties. He also said there were at least 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among patients and workers at Western State Psychiatric Hospital. He said two of those three people are in their 80s and on ventilators.
“This shows how quickly this can move, how we have to make sure that it doesn’t get into those institutions,” Beshear said.
Beshear releasing prisoners
The state has been considering for several days how to address an overcrowded prison system that one attorney called a “gigantic petri dish.” On Thursday, Beshear unveiled the first phase of a plan to reduce crowding, saying he had commuted the sentences of 186 prisoners who are currently serving time for a Class D or Class C felony and are at high-risk for developing complications from the virus.
That includes people with heart and lung issues and people who are more than 60 years old. The commutation will come with requirements and the people who are released must have a residence to go to and will be quarantined there for 14 days.
J. Michael Brown, Beshear’s top appointed official, said the administration has also identified a group of 743 inmates who, once screened, will likely be released next week. All of the inmates have fewer than six months left in their sentences.
“After that, we will continue our screening process to look at other populations that might be there,” Brown said.
Travel restrictions tightened
In order to stop the spread of the virus, Beshear added provisions to some of his existing executive orders. He said anyone who travels to Kentucky from out-of-state must quarantine for 14 days. He also closed all state parks to overnight visitors after reports of too many people gathering in campgrounds.
“We’re going to continue looking at those areas each day where we can cut down outside contact,” Beshear said.
2,000 bed field hospital in Louisville
Beshear also gave approval to convert a portion of the state fairgrounds in Louisville into a 2,000 bed emergency hospital. Beshear said he was taking an example from other states and wanted to be prepared if more hospital beds are needed.
“I want to have it ready before we need one of those single beds,” Beshear said. “And if we don’t need it, hallelujah.”
All of the social distancing measures he has orderd will extend through at least the rest of April, Beshear said, confirming that he has instructed schools to remain closed to in-person attendence through May 1. Beshear said students will continue to get online instruction and there will still be lunches available to students who rely on them.
“There is a real chance that we don’t go back to in-person classes this year,” Beshear said. “We’re not there yet.”
He also challenged Kentuckians to donate 1 million pairs of gloves for medical workers and first responders. Those wishing to donate should call the Kentucky National Guard at (502) 607-6844 or visit tinyurl.com/kyemcovid.
Beshear was asked how he is holding up personally, given the stress of the pandemic. He said he’s all right, but acknowledged that the situation has been difficult.
“Everything that I tell to you all, I have to tell myself,” Beshear said. “And I think I say ‘breathe’ to you all, because I have to tell it to myself as well.”
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 5:51 PM.
