Lexington has 17 new COVID-19 cases, bringing total to 137 in KY’s second biggest city
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department announced 17 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the city’s total to 137 cases. There were no new COVID-19 related deaths in the county.
At least 43 people have recovered from the illness in Lexington and five people have died so far.
The new cases mark a significant increase from the past two days, when reported new cases were in the single digits.
Gov. Andy Beshear has said that the number of COVID-19 cases is only going to increase over the coming weeks, despite strict social distancing measures across the state. Those restrictions — which include the closure of all non-essential businesses, public parks and campgrounds — will last through April and could stretch into the months beyond.
The health department has shared that there were at least three “clusters” of cases that were all linked. One of those clusters was a St. Patrick’s Day Party that resulted in the infections of at least six people.
The University of Kentucky is converting Nutter Field House into a field hospital in case the number of cases increases to a point where there are no longer enough hospital beds.
Speaking of a similar field hospital in Louisville Thursday, Beshear said he wants to have the field hospitals set up before they become necessary.
“I want to have it ready before we need one of those single beds,” Beshear said Thursday. “And if we don’t need it, hallelujah.”
