Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said during the May 1 update the commonwealth’s coronavirus numbers have plateaued. He announced phase one of reopening will begin May 11 and include industries like manufacturing, professional services, and car dealerships.
“This plateau is still good news, we still have a ways to go to defeat this virus. The fact is that you have not only flattened the curve, you cut the top off the muffin,” Beshear said. “You have truly saved so many lives. Keep it up, your work continues to be excellent, and it is protecting people.”
Beshear announced 177 new cases of the coronavirus and eight newly reported deaths statewide related to COVID-19. Kentucky now has 4,879, total reported cases and 57,648 tests have been administered statewide. The state has increased its testing capacity by partnering with Kroger, Walmart, and local health departments.
“We're working with more local health departments to serve their needs if they have an ability to conduct these tests, and we see some others that are able to get their own kits and run them,” Beshear said. “Christian County Health Department is doing a great job. They're doing about 60 a day.”
Beshear said compared to one month ago, the uptake in the number of tests is a night and day difference. He said he hopes the state will soon get close to 30,000 tests a week.
Of the 177 new cases, 28 are out of western Kentucky counties: six in Daviess County, six in Graves County, five in Hopkins County, four in Henderson County, three in Christian County, three in McCracken County, and one in McLean County.
Three of the eight newly-reported Covid-19 related deaths were out of western Kentucky including a 90-year-old woman from Graves County, an 86-year-old woman from Marshall County, and a 93-year-old man from Carlisle County. The number of Kentuckians recovered from coronavirus is 1,752.
As phase one of reopening the commonwealth begins on May 11, Beshear urges businesses to only open if they are confident the mandated guidelines can be followed. Concerning “Healthy at Work” orders, Beshear said if employees are able to continue working remotely, they should.
“When we start moving into ‘Healthy at Work,’ everybody's contacts are going to go up, which means the chances that you have it and are asymptomatic are going to go way up,” Beshear said. “Just because you might be able to open on the 11 doesn't mean everybody shows up on the 11. On-site temperature or health checks, masking for employers and employees, it's required. This is the way that we protect each other.”
May 20, the governor said he will lift restrictions on “houses of worship” and some retail businesses.
“We have a number of houses of worship that might not be ready, or might want to wait a little longer than May 20,” Beshear said. “And that's actually a promising sign. So please listen to your faith leaders. If they are running your church or your synagogue, or mosque, they know what it takes to run it, with the cleaning that's going to be required, which is significantly more intensive.”
Beshear advises churches that have older congregations be exceptionally cautious as they consider reopening for in-person services. May 25 restrictions are expected to be lifted on social gatherings of 10 or fewer people.
Mass testing has been completed at Green River Correctional Complex in Central City. Over the last three days, more than 1,200 tests were administered at the complex. Beshear said the test results should be back next week.
At long term care facilities, there were 25 new resident cases and four new staff cases. Six new deaths were reported, five were residents and one was a staff member.
“So in everything we do, we have to make sure that we do everything we can to keep this virus from getting in these facilities. So as we look at being healthy at work,” Beshear said.
Beshear said the state has completed approximately 105,000 of the 130,000 March unemployment claims. Beshear with about 8,000 claims waiting to be processed there is a problem with identity verification. He said an email went out to request documentation from those individuals. Beshear said the remaining 20,000 are bigger issues the state is currently trying to work through.
“I believe we've been able to get through every part of the March claims from a processing standpoint,” Beshear said. “Now, we're going to continue to prioritize those March claims and to work through them while we're also doing April's claims.”
Beshear asked Kentuckians living on the border of states with open restaurants to resist going out, and instead remain “healthy at home.” He said he will analyze and learn how restaurant openings affect Indiana’s case number.
“I’m asking you to stay healthy at home, we can see how that works in Indiana, we can learn from it. That may mean moving up our timetable, or moving back our timetable,” Beshear said. “Going out of state to a restaurant can frustrate the plan that we have, and could potentially push back our timeline to getting back to healthy work. If we do certain things that cause a spike in cases, then we have to pause everything.”
Steps The State Has Taken To Address COVID-19
Restrictions on Kentucky’s houses of worship will be lifted May 20.
Kentucky's "Healthy at Work" initiative will feature a phased reopening of the state's economy beginning May 11.
Kentuckians will be required to wear masks in public beginning May 11.
?Announced that Monday, April 27, the state will begin the gradual restart and reopening of our Phase 1 health care services and facilities, although they will operate vastly different than they did before the outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Click here for detailed guidance.
Announced the launch of "Healthy at Work," a new initiative to help Kentucky businesses reopen safely as we fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).
The state will work to expand testing in predominantly African-American communities.
The Murray Calloway-County Hospital is providing drive-thru COVID-19 testing to residents of the region.
In-class educational instruction will cease for the remainder of the Spring 2020 Semster.
Kroger will be setting up drive-up testing sites in Madisonville and Paducah beginning April 21.
?Beshear announced benchmarks Kentucky must meet in order to start reopening the state's economy while keeping Kentuckians safe from the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The steps reflect federal guidance announced Thursday by the White House.
? Kentucky is joining with Governors, Eric Holcomb of Indiana, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan to closely coordinate plans to reopen the regional economies when the time is right.
License plate numbers of any individual attending in-person gatherings will be recorded by state and local officials. The residents will then receive quarantine notices in person from their local health departments.
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-KYSAFER or 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 is mandating 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 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.
Dalton York and Sydni Anderson contributed to this report.
