Kentucky governor quarantines after security staff member tests positive for COVID-19
Gov. Andy Beshear announced he is entering quarantine Sunday after a member of his security detail tested positive for COVID-19.
“We’re going to be quarantining until the Department of Public Health says that we’ve completed what we need to,” Beshear said in a video message. “We feel great.... but we want to make sure we’re setting the example and we’re also keeping other people around us safe.”
Beshear and his family have tested negative for the virus and no one is showing symptoms.
His office said the governor and his family were potentially exposed to the virus on Saturday when the member of the security detail was driving with the family. His office said everyone was wearing masks in the car.
Public health guidelines recommend that people quarantine if they have been within six feet of someone who has the virus for more than 15 minutes.
Beshear said he will continue to do his 4 p.m. press conferences from the governor’s mansion. The family is quarantining in a part of the Governor’s Mansion that’s separate from staff and staff activity.
On Sunday Beshear’s office announced 852 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total cases since March to 80,292. He also announced three new deaths, bringing the death toll in Kentucky to 1,252.
The state saw its highest case total of the pandemic last week. Between Sunday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 11, the state reported 7,444 cases, the highest of any week in the pandemic even without a backlog of 1,472 cases from Fayette County that were reported Wednesday.
Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, advised people to “emotionally regulate” themselves.
“It’s normal to miss the things we used to do with a lot of other people, like fall festivals, church services and sporting events,” Stack said. “Acknowledge what you miss, then make a plan for what you can do.”
He suggested taking a drive to see fall leaves and to take a “pumpkin walk” around the neighborhood.
“It’s OK to acknowledge that something’s been lost, but we don’t have to wallow in the moment,” Stack said. “And, remind yourself that a vaccine is coming and there’s reason to be hopeful.”
This story was originally published October 11, 2020 at 1:59 PM.
