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Kentucky Sees Spike In Coronavirus Case Numbers, Nearly Half From One Prison

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the Green River Correctional Complex in Muhlenberg County represented 309 of the 625 newly-reported cases of Covid-19 during the May 5 coronavirus update. 

The governor assured listeners that although there was a spike in case numbers, the state still has a plateau on the overall case curve 

“Each Tuesday, as test results roll in we see higher numbers,” Beshear said. “So again, it's a lot of positives, but we are going to see some more positives as we go out and we test everybody in a long term care facility, which is what we are going to eventually do and any other correctional facility that we go into.” 

The first three positive test results returned to Green River Correctional Complex were all staff members. These results came back to the facility by March 28. The first positive inmate result was reported April 5.

Michael Brown, the secretary for the state’s Executive Cabinet, said with last week’s concentrated testing, a total of 1,081 individuals were tested at that facility. Of the 1,081 tests completed at Green River, 1,029 tests have been returned. 

“What that means is we almost have a complete snapshot of the situation at Green River, which allows us to go ahead and truly plan for how to address that population down there,” Brown said. “Now, if these numbers hold where they are, we can isolate individuals into three main groups.” 

 

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Brown said from Green River Correctional Complex there are four individuals currently in the intensive care unit. There have been two deaths from Covid-19 out of the facility since the first inmate case was reported in April. Brown reported there was potentially one more coronavirus related inmate death that occurred over the weekend. 

Of the 625 newly reported cases, 344 are in western Kentucky counties: 310 in Muhlenberg County, 22 in Daviess County, five in Henderson County, two in Graves County, one in Christian County, one in Hopkins County, one in McCracken County, one in Union County, and one in Webster County. 

The state has completed a total of  61,013 tests. 

“We were looking back over that number tested and we actually don't believe all of the negatives reported to us. We believe based on the number of tests we know we've been sending out that we're not getting the full number of total tests coming back into us. I believe that number is higher,” Beshear said. 

The total number of Kentuckians hospitalized for coronavirus is 1,603, currently 347 are hospitalized and 185 patients are in the intensive care unit now. Beshear reported 14 new deaths related to coronavirus. 

“These are 14 individuals who are loved, who are special who are important and who are Kentuckians. The loss of these 14 is a loss to all of us. We're getting to the point where just about everybody knows somebody or has a connection to somebody that we've lost,” Beshear said.

Kentucky now has 18 drive-up coronavirus testing sites.

 

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In western Kentucky, Trigg County, Christian County, and Calloway County all have drive up testing sites operating this week. Trigg County and Calloway County testing sites will operate May 4 - 8. Christian County’s testing site will operate May 4 - 9. Testing site criteria and sign-ups may be found on kycovid19.ky.gov

Josh Benton, Deputy Secretary for the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, gave updates on upcoming changes to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). 

 

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According to Benton, pandemic unemployment assistance is primarily for individuals who did not previously qualify for unemployment. He said there's about 100,000 of those individuals currently receiving benefits on this program. He also said the Department of Labor will change the weekly benefit amount for pandemic unemployment assistance from $180 a week to $176 a week.

Benton said by the end of this week, employers will be able to report their return-to-work dates to their employees. Employers will be able to report return-to-work dates on kewes.ky.gov

“Now, there are some exceptions to this. An individual who may get called back and receive a return to work day, if they are taking care of a dependent, because the facility that takes care of their dependent is still closed, that individual can stay on unemployment insurance,” Benton said.  “Also, if that individual is you know, is an in an at-risk category, either because of a health issue or of age, they do not have to return to work, they will be able, when they request their payments to say that they cannot return because of those issues, they will self certify.”

Benton said 95% of individuals who have not been approved for their March unemployment claims have been identified as being fired or quit. He said an email will be sent May 5 to all of those individuals who applied in March, so that they can make a modification to their claim and identify the issue for their job separation and identify their separation as COVID-related. 

The number of initial claims received by the Department of Labor last week is approaching 600,000, according to Benton. 

“This week we're going to be able to release some more detailed information by county unemployment rates. A lot more information is coming and we will be making some changes,” Benton said.

Beshear reminded listeners of the partnership between the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the state’s distillers which allows Kentuckians to purchase hand sanitizer and face masks. 

“I want you to remember this partnership between us, the chamber and the distillers where our distilleries are producing significant amounts of hand sanitizer,” Beshear said. “This is one that we ought to be able to solve that you ought to be able to order and get what you need. Because we got to supply this, thanks to our distilleries in Kentucky. This might be the envy of a number of other states.” 

Hand sanitizers and masks can be purchased through the partnership at KyChamber.com/MaskOrderForm and KyHandSanitizer.com

Steps The State Has Taken To Address COVID-19

  • 309 cases of COVID-19 have been reported at Green River Correctional Complex in Central City 

  • Restrictions on gathering of 10 or fewer people, barber shops, salons, and similar services will be lifted May 25

  • Restrictions on Kentucky’s houses of worship and retail stores 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.
 

Hannah is a Murray State Journalism major. She found her place in radio during her second year in Murray. She is from Herndon, KY, a small farming community on the Kentucky/Tennessee stateline.
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