376 new Kentucky coronavirus cases and 5 deaths. Positivity rate still nearly 6%.
Following Kentucky’s largest weekly number of new COVID-19 cases, Gov. Andy Beshear announced 376 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, bringing the state’s total to 39,691 cases. He also announced 5 new deaths, increasing the death toll to 818.
From August 9 to August 15, there were at least 4,352 newly announced cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky, the first time that number has topped 4,000 in a single week. Still, Beshear said he is hopeful that the number of new cases has generally plateaued following his decision to issue a mandatory mask ordinance and increased restrictions on restaurants and bars.
“Now the question is, ‘will we be able to tip that plateau down?’” said Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner.
There are 563 people in the hospital with the coronavirus, 136 of whom are in intensive care. The rate of positive tests is 5.8 percent, which Beshear said has remained stubbornly high.
While the reopening of most public schools to in-person instruction has been pushed back to at least September 28, Beshear noted there were 54 Kentuckians under the age of 18 who tested positive Monday.
“We’ve got to do everything we can,” Beshear said in regards to decreasing the number of cases so schools can reopen to in-person classes. “If we come together, if we wear the face coverings, we follow the guidelines, we can get it done.”
Beshear said he will announce how the state will report outbreaks in school on Tuesday. Many private schools and at least on public school system ignored the governor’s advice and restarted in-person instruction Monday.
At Kentucky’s child care centers, which must limit class sizes to 10 children, 112 staff members and 92 children have tested positive. Those cases are spread among 142 facilities.
A record number of Kentuckians have filed for unemployment amid the pandemic and last month, an extra $600 in unemployment benefits lapsed after the House and Senate could not come to an agreement that would extend the benefits.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who was a major player in the negotiations over extending the benefits, sent a letter to Beshear Monday urging him to tap into an extra $300 in unemployment benefits made available through an executive order from President Donald Trump, who stepped in after Congress couldn’t reach a deal.
Beshear said his administration is evaluating the program, saying “if this is doable, we’ll do it.”
“If the federal government is going to provide $300 and it’s not going to create an unworkable situation for the state, yeah, we’re gonna take it,” Beshear said.
Beshear said the state will partner with UK HealthCare to start two new drive-through testing locations in Lexington starting August 24. He said the sites will be open seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will be by appointment only. People can sign up for appointments at lexington.wildhealth.com.
He also warned that testing supplies are becoming harder to obtain.
“I believe in Kentucky we are in a much better place because of our local partnerships,” Beshear said. “But I must warn everybody, we’re seeing the market tighten.”
Beshear did not give an update on COVID-19 in nursing homes Monday, but according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services there were 471 active cases of the virus among residents and another 301 active cases among staff members. There have been at least 506 coronavirus-related deaths at Kentucky nursing homes.
This story was originally published August 17, 2020 at 4:41 PM.
