54 new Kentucky coronavirus cases push state total past 1,000 as death toll rises to 59

Gov. Andy Beshear Monday announced 54 new COVID-19 cases, sending Kentucky’s total past 1,008 exactly one month since the first confirmed case in the state. He announced 14 new deaths.

“We are not seeing the day after day increase,” Beshear said. “Let’s see what we see for the rest of the week, but 54 cases today are lower than we expected.”

The state has now announced 59 coronavirus related deaths, with Beshear reporting deaths in Jefferson County (an 86-year-old man, a 56-year-old woman, an 85-year-old woman, an 89-year-old woman and a 74-year-old man), Kenton County (a 96-year-old man, a 92-year-old woman, an 89-year-old woman and two 91-year-old women), Fayette County (a 76-year-old woman), McCracken County (81-year-old man), Campbell County (an 81-year-old woman and a 91-year-old woman) and Boyd County (a 96-year-old man).

So far, 163 people diagnosed with COVID-19 have been hospitalized and about 70 people are currently hospitalized. More than 19,955 Kentuckians have been tested, Beshear said.

The difference in new cases between Kentucky and other nearby states and cities is dramatic. Tennessee announced 171 new cases Monday (for a total topping 3,802) while Indiana announced 536 residents tested positive (for a total of 4,944).

Part of the reason for the low numbers is a lag in state reporting. Louisville announced 59 new cases Monday while Beshear said there were only 15 new cases in Jefferson County. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer says they have 372 cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County. In Lexington, the new reported cases have been hovering in the single digits, with only 6 new cases in Fayette County Monday (Beshear said there was only one).

But the lag does not explain everything. Beshear said it was too early to make any assumptions about the reasons that the cases haven’t been increasing as rapidly in other places, and that it was too soon to reduce any restrictions, but he said it appeared the social distancing measures have been working.

“Let’s not read anything into it until we see the following days,” Beshear said. “We think we are still escalating, but let me tell you, if you want to take something positive from this number, it’s that what you are doing is working.”

There have still been examples of the disease spreading rapidly. Beshear said Monday that Western State Hospital (a psychiatric hospital in Hopkinsville) has 12 reported cases — nine patients and three employees — most of which have stemmed from one person.

The state is still planning for a surge in cases and the possibility that Kentucky’s hospitals will be overrun.

Last week Beshear closed down the state parks to overnight visitors and on Monday he announced the state will use the cabins in the state parks as quarantine sites for first responders. There are plans to use the lodges if the state needs to house additional coronavirus patients.

Beshear also said two inmates at Green River Correctional Facility tested positive for COVID-19, as have five staff members. Beshear said 21 inmates have been tested. In Louisville’s metro corrections, Fischer said 29 inmates have been tested, with 26 negative tests and three pending. He said four inmates are in isolation.

Kentucky residents who need advice about seeking treatment for COVID-19 may call (800) 722-5725. Anyone with personal protective equipment items to donate should call (833)-GIVE-PPE, or visit giveppe.ky.gov, or items can be taken to any state police post.

Beshear said the top three items the state needs are N95 masks, latex-free gloves and surgical gowns.

Kentuckians can call 1-833-KYSAFER to report people and businesses not following social distancing guidelines issued by federal and state officials. Donations to help people who have been economically affected by the virus can be made to the Team Kentucky fund. Tax-free donations can be made at donate.ky.gov.

Visit Kentucky’s coronavirus website, kycovid19.ky.gov, for more guidance about the disease.

Herald-Leader reporter Alex Acquisto contributed reporting.

This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 5:38 PM.