Governor Andy Beshear is encouraging Kentuckians to remain vigilant against COVID-19 after last week became the commonwealth’s highest seven-day period of new virus cases.
Monday is typically a lower day for new virus cases, Beshear said. The state, however, reported the highest number of cases for a Monday in the past four weeks with 543 cases. Kentucky’s total case count is now 73,158. The rate of positivity for COVID-19 tests is 4.69%, which Beshear said is “creeping up.”
Five Kentuckians died as a result of the coronavirus Monday, including three Daviess County residents. The commonwealth’s death toll is up to 1,214.
Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack said Kentucky is on a dangerous path if the virus is not controlled. He said the United States is far outpacing other developed countries in positive virus tests, even with metrics where population is normalized.
“We should be humiliated as a country that we haven’t been able to come together better to get this done well,” Stack said.
Beshear responded to President Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis and treatment. He said he wishes the president and first lady a speedy recovery, but criticized administration officials for their lax adherence to social distancing and facial covering guidance.
“I think we need a better example,” Beshear said.
The governor encouraged Trump to wear a mask at all times in public and to avoid further violations of quarantine. Trump left Walter Reed Medical Center over the weekend to wave at supporters gathered near the hospital. Beshear said it is irresponsible to endanger members of the Secret Service detail working to keep the president safe.
Find more information concerning Kentucky’s response to the coronavirus pandemic here.
