Kentucky reports 258 new cases of COVID-19 as reopening continues
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 258 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky on Friday, putting the state’s total number of cases at 13,454. Two more people with the virus have died, bringing the death toll to at least 522.
Though the state announced 22,000 fewer tests this week than last week, between Sunday and Friday, 5.53 percent of the people who were tested for the virus were positive. The overall infection rate is just under 4 percent.
“We must continue to strike the balance between supporting our local economies and still cutting our contacts significantly,” the governor said Friday in a news release. “I know Kentuckians have what it takes to reopen as safely as possible.”
Friday’s deaths included a 68-year-old man from Harlan County and a 95-year-old man from Franklin County.
“This has been a tough year for everyone,” Beshear said. “But just imagine, in addition to all this fear and uncertainty and sudden change, also losing a loved one and not being able to grieve with extended family and friends.”
“We might not understand these families’ pain, but we will still be there to support them,” he said.
Currently there are 339 people hospitalized with the virus in Kentucky and 64 in intensive care. At least 3,516 people have recovered.
At least 341,140 tests have been administered. Testing for the virus continues to be widely available across the state, at more than 180 locations. Next week, Kroger will operate drive-thru testing sites in Fayette County, Jefferson County, Shelby County and Warren County.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 5:18 PM.
