During his daily COVID-19 briefing Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear reported 775 new cases of the coronavirus in Kentucky, 67 of those newly reported cases in Christian County.
Beshear said everyone in the state should get tested often.
“It's so important. If we want to be able to do the things we want to do, we've got to identify who has COVID, who is asymptomatic and prevent the spread,” Beshear said “If we can continue to build our levels, then there is an opportunity to do more things and to do them safely.”
The total number of cases reported in Kentucky is 45,978. The current positivity rate is 4.8%. According to Beshear, 23% or 130 of August 27 positives are kids 18 and under. Total Kentuckians hospitalized for COVID-19 is 573.
“There are 26 new students since yesterday that tested positive,” Beshear said. “So again, widespread, very difficult to contain. This is why we've asked for schools to wait until September 28. We've got to get the positivity rate coming down.”
Beshear reported eight newly reported COVID-19 related deaths. In the long term care facilities there are 43 new resident cases, 38 new staff cases, and two new resident deaths. The total number of Kentuckians who have passed due to COVID-19 is currently 910.
Beshear addressed the disproportionate lack of healthcare coverage for black and Hispanic communities.
“What we've seen during COVID is that our African American or black communities are dying at twice the rate. So, in our effort to sign everybody up for healthcare coverage, we are prioritizing our black and Hispanic communities,” Beshear said. “The program is aimed at first getting someone on what we call the pandemic Medicaid, and then ensuring that we can get and keep those individuals on a form of health care coverage. But this is available for anybody and everybody out there.”
Regarding high school sports, Beshear said they will not be conducted as normal. He is waiting on more information from the KHSAA.
“It can't be normal. If there are any crowds you have to be willing to kick somebody’s parents out if they're not wearing a mask,” Beshear said. “I think you really got to look at the risk if you're going to do that, I think at least a lot of schools are looking at just parents. I know that there are other decisions being made out there.”
