Governor Andy Beshear confirmed 242 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky today. That brings the state’s total number of cases to 1,693.
The new cases are in Jefferson, Kenton, Hopkins, Daviess, Boone, Campbell, Christian, Warren Muhlenburg,, Marion, Pulsaki, Bullitt, Grant, Hardin, Henderson, Trigg, Adair, Boyd, Jessamine, Madison, McCreary, Russel, Webster, Butler, Calloway, Jackson, Lyon, Mercer, Woodford, Bracken, Clark, Clinton, Cumberland, Marshall, Oldham, Simpson, Barren, Caldwell, Edmonson, Graves, Grayson, Laurel, Mason, McCracken, McLean, Montgomery, Morgan, Nelson, Scott, Shelby, Spencer and Todd counties.
“You can see right here what happens. It’s not just our counties that have the largest population. But what you see are clusters. Clusters where very quickly it [coronavirus] can spread throughout the community,” Beshear said. “All of us are going to be hit pretty hard.”
He said 11 Kentuckians died from the coronavirus today, including a 75-year-old male in McCracken County, an 80-year-old male in Hopkins County and an 81-year-old male in Daviess County. Beshear said the total number of deaths in the state is 90.
“That means we’ve lost 90 amazing Kentuckians, which is a loss to all of us,” he said.
He urged people to light up their homes, businesses and institutions green tonight in the “color of compassion and renewal.”
Beshear said there can’t be any in-person gatherings this weekend “of any type.” He said less than seven churches statewide are thinking about having an in-person service. He said all synagogues and mosques have ceased in-person services.
Beshear said state workers are going to record the license plates of any person who participates in a mass gathering of any type this weekend. He said that information will be shared with local health departments, which will “come to your door with an order for you to be quarantined for 14 days.”
“If you’re going to expose yourself to this virus and you make that decision to do it, it’s not fair to everybody else out there that you might spread it to,” he said.
Beshear said people participating in gatherings will “get notice that this is happening.”
“Understand that this is the only way we can ensure that your decision doesn’t kill somebody else...that your decision to go to a mass gathering doesn’t negate the sacrifice of every other house of worship--99.99 percent in the state--that are choosing to do the right thing.”
Beshear confirmed 24,288 total coronavirus tests administered and 459 total hospitalizations. At least 177 people total have been admitted to the ICU, with 105 currently admitted. Beshear said 271 people are currently in the hospital.
He said at least 464 Kentuckians have recovered from the coronavirus. He said that’s 27%, and state officials believe that number is larger.
Beshear said state officials are working with local health departments to provide the addresses of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are in self-quarantine, to first responders.
“That helps them know the level of personal protective equipment they may need,” he said. “We’d ask otherwise that those individuals’ privacies be respected. It’s their home. It’s their address.”
Beshear said state officials made 71,625 separate payments of almost $43 million for unemployment insurance. He said those payments included the new $600 extra benefits passed by the federal government. He said the state is doing the best it can with the largest volume of people in Kentucky’s history applying for benefits.
Beshear encouraged Kentuckians to fill out the Census and said people have a legal obligation to do so. Kentucky is currently 18th in the country for filling out the Census.
“Eighteen is not where we want to be so we need more and more and more folks to do it,” he said.
Beshear said the state continues to need PPE and Kentuckians to donate PPE. People can go to giveppe.ky.gov or call (833)-448-3773. He said people can drop off donations at any transportation cabinet headquarters or at any Kentucky State Police post.
Beshear showed a COVID Act Now graph of curves modelling the numbers of daily cases with limited action, three months of stay at home with poor compliance and three months of stay at home with strict compliance. Beshear said the difference could be up to 11,000 lives. He said that’s “sure as heck” worth staying home for.
“Eleven-thousand lives justify every single thing we are doing,” he said.
Beshear said there are three new cases of coronavirus at Green River Correctional Complex. He said all three cases are inmates. Western State Hospital also has three new cases, including two patients and one staff member. He said the hospital has no new deaths.
Beshear said there are 37 new residents and 38 new staff members have tested positive at long term care facilities in the state. He said there are two new deaths at these facilities. He said 29 Kentucky facilities have been impacted, with at least nine of those involving a single or few staff members that have tested positive.
Steps The State Has Taken To Address COVID-19
Beshear issued an executiveorder limiting the number of people in stores that remain open. Only one adult per household should shop at one time.
The state is increasing unemployment hotline operators from 12 to more than 1,000.
The Department of Public Health is introducing a tiered system to streamline COVID-19 testing. Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack announced a partnership with 32 Kentucky hospitals to expand access to testing, especially in the rural parts of the commonwealth.
Beshear issued an executive order commuting the sentences for 186 C and D felons.
Beshear has issued a 14-day quarantine for returning Kentucky residents who have left the state for reasons other than: caring for a loved one, going to the closest grocery store for supplies, parental visitation, going to work
State officials are moving ahead with plans to convert the Louisville Fairgrounds into a field hospital with at least 2,000 beds. Beshear said the state is working in conjunction with the National Guard and Army Corps of Engineers.
State officials banned overnight stays in state parks. Beshear said this includes campgrounds and lodges.
Beshear extended the policy of no in-person instruction in schools through at least Friday, May 1.
Beshear announced an executive order expanding travel restrictions to where out-of-state people travelling into Kentucky need to quarantine for fourteen days “wherever they’re coming.” People who are just stopping for gas in the state are not included in the order.
Beshear issued an executive order allowing critical workforce sectors to rehire previously retired workers to fill key roles.
Beshear issued an executive order easing restrictions on nurses who live out of state and making it quicker to obtain a license.
Beshear announced a new website portal to connect businesses interested in donating services or supplies with Kentuckians and Kentucky medical facilities in need.
Beshear asked mayors and county judge-executives to monitor people gathering in public places such as parks and stop them if people are not practicing social distancing and risking the spread of COVID-19.
Unemployment eligibility has been expanded to include individuals typically not covered by unemployment insurance. This includes self-employed, independent contractors, freelance workers, substitute teachers and childcare workers employed by religious affiliated organizations and nonprofits.
?State officials have suspended evictions for the duration of the COVID-19 Emergency.
Beshear established a Team Kentucky fundto help provide financial assistance to Kentuckians whose employment has been affected by this virus. People can donate to the fund that will be overseen by the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet. Beshear said the fund will work like most popular fundraising platforms where people can “click a couple buttons and give instantly.” He said donations are tax-deductible.
State officials created a COVID-19 reporting hotline for people to report situations and groups or organizations they believe are dangerous. Beshear said this could be groups not engaging in social distancing or businesses not abiding by CDC guidelines. The hotline is 1-833-KYSAFERor 1-833-597-2337. The hotline will be staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. by labor cabinet employees. People can also leave messages after hours. He said the hotline received roughly 2,000 last night.
Beshear said the state is taking “security measures” around hospitals to ensure safety. He said people will see additional law enforcement and National Guard around hospitals.
Beshear encouraged all radio and TV stations to do public service announcements. He said Kentucky needs more encouragement about social distancing and recommended stations pull information from the kycovid19.ky.gov website.
The state is going to be conducting a survey of outpatient surgical centers for their supplies and staff. Beshear said it's something the state is doing so it can “marshal every single resource at a time of need.”
The state is closing non-essential retail businesses to in-person traffic. These include entertainment, sporting goods, clothing, shoes, jewelry, bookstores, florists, furniture and auto dealers. Beshear said these retail businesses can still do curbside and pickup and urged them to be “innovative.” He said stores unaffected by this order are grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, drug stores, liquor stores, hardware stores, agriculture supply and equipment stores and auto repairs and parts stores. Beshear said these stores still need to follow CDC guidelines and “spread people out.” He said auto dealers will still be able to provide repairs and parts and can only do sales if the interaction is complete online or over the phone.
The state, starting Monday, is mandating that medical facilities cease elective procedures. He said the vast majority of providers have responded to the state’s recommendation voluntarily.
Kentucky has issued a state of emergency that Beshear said will last until COVID-19 is “taken care of.” He said the state’s emergency management operations center is up, as well as the state health operations center.
The state established the COVID-19 hotline and a website providing updates on the virus for Kentuckians. People who are sick but would have not sought care should contact their healthcare provider to prevent flooding of health care facilities. People who have questions about the virus call the COVID-19 Hotline at (800) 722-5725.
A price gouging order is in effect. Kentuckians who have any information regarding possible price gouging should dial (888) 432-9257 for the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection hotline.
Officials adjusted state government sick leave policy to ensure sick employees stay at home. Beshear said businesses should do the same. He encouraged all businesses to allow employees to work from home if at all possible.
The state published CDC guidelines with warnings for sick individuals. Beshear said people over the age of 60 or people with heart, lung or kidney disease; compromised immune systems; or diabetes should be extremely careful and avoid places with crowds. He said Kentuckians should not fly if they don’t have to and that no one should get on a cruise ship.CDC guidelines say everyone should be engaged in social distancing.
Beshear issued an executive order to waive copays, deductibles, cost-sharing and diagnostic testing fees for private insurance and state employees. He said the state has issued executive orders and worked in Medicaid to make sure COVID-19 testing and treatment is free.
Beshear signed an executive order to allow pharmacists to refill prescriptions for up to 30 days.
The state closed all state prisons to visitors.
Beshear said the state closed restaurants and bars to all in-person traffic, except for drive-thru, delivery and, in some instances, take-out.
Beshear said the state has limited visitation in “just about every type of facility that works with or for our seniors.”
The state has recommended schools cease in-class activities, including in-person classes. Beshear said Friday this has been extended to April 21 and, as of now, all school districts have complied.
Beshear said the state is making sure first responders and health care workers are covered through Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance. The insurance provides wage replacement benefits for first responders and medical personnel who have been quarantined for COVID-19.
Child care centers are closed with the exception of those helping healthcare workers and first responders.
The state postponed primary elections, moving voting to June 23.
The state issued an executive order to close all public-facing businesses that encourage public congregation.
Beshear said the state has waived the waiting period for unemployment insurance and continues to work to reduce the barriers to unemployment. Beshear said they are working on unemployment for independent contractors and small business owners.
The federal government’s Small Business Administration has granted Kentucky application to allow small businesses to get disaster loans. Beshear said SBA’s website is fixed and small businesses can now apply online for the disaster loans they need. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans applications can be completed and filed online at www.sba.gov/disaster.
All Kentuckians on the Grand Princess cruise ship were brought back home.
The state provided a three-month extension on driver’s licenses.
Beshear said the state is extending Medicaid, SNAP and other benefits: “If it’s running out and you would have to reapply in the next couple of months, you don’t have to.” He said the state is re-upping people on those benefits for a three-month period.
The state has suspended all charitable gaming licenses.
The state has issued a formal letter banning all mass gatherings.
The state is delaying the tax filing deadline by three months from April 15 to July 15.
Beshear said the state has issued guidance for good mental health.
Hannah Bullard and Dalton York contributed to this post.
