Kentucky COVID-19 cases jump by 283. Deaths up by 9. Nursing homes see 104 new cases.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 283 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky, a significant increase from recent days, bringing the total number of cases to 9,464. Beshear also announced 9 coronavirus-related deaths, increasing the state’s death toll to 418.
“I don’t want to suggest that it means something at this point either way, what we’ve got to do is wait and see,” Beshear said of the spike in new cases. “And we will respond either way.”
After several days of increases that were under 150 new cases, the numbers jumped as data caught up from the Memorial Day weekend and the early stages of Kentucky’s phased reopening.
They also reflect a concerted effort to increase testing in nursing homes. At least 1,285 residents of nursing homes have tested positive for the virus, an increase of 77 from Thursday, and 600 staff, an increase of 27. The state has tested 15,000 nursing home residents and staff so far and plans to test another 5,000 to 10,000 next week.
At least 244 of the total coronavirus-related deaths have been related to nursing homes — which accounts for 58 percent of the total deaths in Kentucky.
Currently, 499 Kentuckians are in the hospital with the virus, 81 of which are in intensive case. At least 3,231 people have recovered from the virus. The percentage of people testing positive for the virus has decreased over the past few weeks and is currently at 4.15 percent.
Black people have also been disproportionately affected by the virus. Black Kentuckians only make up around 8 percent of Kentucky’s population but account for 17.82 percent of the coronavirus-related deaths.
Beshear referenced that statistic when discussing the protest that occurred in Louisville Thursday night over the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT who was killed in her apartment by the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Beshear read a statement from Taylor’s mother and said the pandemic has laid bare the racial inequalities in society.
“I know that tensions are high, but I want people to know that they’re being heard. And I know it’s not fast enough and I know it’s not satisfying,” Beshear said. “Let me finally say that while I’m trying to provide the right words, I don’t understand the depths of pain and frustration that I know so many people feel. But what I can commit to do is listen and do my best.”
The governor said Kentucky State Police will assist Louisville police if protests continue Friday night in Louisville. Beshear said he wants people to be heard, but he wants them to be heard without violence.
Beshear said he will not provide coronavirus updates this weekend and will only be providing an update Monday through Thursday next week. He is shifting the time to 4 p.m.
There are several types of businesses set to reopen Monday, including fitness centers, bowling alleys and movie theaters.
Beshear denounced a scheduled “prayer rally” that is planned for Saturday on the Capitol grounds, noting inflammatory remarks made on Facebook by the man planning it — longtime conservative activist Frank Simon. On Sunday, a group of heavily-armed individuals who were attending a Second Amendment rally ignored warning signs and gathered on the front step of the Governor’s Mansion before hanging Beshear in effigy.
Once again, Beshear said he would not be bullied, noting that a man he believes was associated with the militia group stood outside of his office window Friday.
“The fact that we have somehow emboldened those who would do those things is wrong,” Beshear said.
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 5:41 PM.
