LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This is a weekly blog with real-time updates on COVID-19 numbers and other related content in Kentucky for the week of September 14, 2020. Governor Andy Beshear is scheduled to give updates every day around 4 p.m.
Last week Beshear's office had a wreath-laying ceremony after Kentucky surpassed 1,000 deaths. Beshear also did an 'Address to the State' to remind Kentuckians to do the right thing to stop the spread.
Sunday, Sept. 20
Gov. Andy Beshear announced at least 61,542 cases in the commonwealth, 439 of which were newly reported Sunday. 68 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 12 were ages 5 and under. The youngest was just two months old.
The Governor announced three more deaths on Sunday, bringing the death total to 1,111.
“That’s three more Kentucky families who are grieving during this already difficult time,” the Governor said.
The deaths reported Sunday included two Fayette Countians, including a 66-year-old man and a 92-year-old woman; and a 91-year-old man from Boyd County.
Due to limited reporting on Sundays, some information will be delayed until Monday.
“We’re not just preventing the spread of COVID-19. We’re also preventing the spread of the common cold, the flu, and other viruses which is very important since they can easily be confused with COVID-19,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health. “Kentucky, let’s keep up the good work.”
Dr. Stack encouraged people to get outside and enjoy the great weather. He offered some tips for those who host a gathering urging hosts to limit gatherings to 10 or fewer people, insist invitees stay home if they aren’t feeling well, require facial coverings, try to spend as much time as possible outdoors, and seat guests at least six feet apart.
“Remember, you’re the host, and you set the rules,” the commissioner said.
Saturday, Sept.19
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 61,106 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 1,002 of which were newly reported Saturday. Of the newly reported cases, 145 were from children age 18 and younger, with 29 age 5 and younger. The youngest is just 5 months old.
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported seven new deaths Saturday. The total number of Kentuckians now lost to the virus is 1,108.
“Today's report shows that when we let our guard down, this virus truly spreads. This is everywhere and we must keep our guard up,” said Gov. Beshear. “The only positive news in today's report is our positivity rate is still under 4% at 3.82%.”
The deaths reported Saturday include an 82-year-old woman from Lincoln County; a 78-year-old woman from Warren County; an 89-year-old woman from Boyd County; a 76-year-old woman from Martin County; two Jefferson Countians, including a 71-year-old woman and a 91-year-old man; and a 66-year-old woman from Mercer County.
As of Saturday, at least 1,118,855 tests had been administered. The COVID-19 testing positive rate, based on a seven-day rolling average, taking into account total positive tests reported by laboratories divided by total tests reported by labs, stood at 3.82%. The number of Kentuckians who are known to have recovered was at least 11,237.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, said, “The first official day of fall is fast approaching, and the weather that has descended this weekend over Kentucky will cause a lot of us to want to spend time outdoors. If you get outside, please keep following the same advice we’ve given since the pandemic began. Stay at least six feet from others, wear a mask and wash your hands often. As we prepare to begin a new season, let’s recommit to our efforts to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Let’s start the fall season off right, Team Kentucky.”
For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.
Thursday, Sept. 17
Kentucky confirmed 628 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 59,370. Eleven more deaths were reported.
Oft the new cases, 76 of those are 18 and younger.
The state's test positivity rate is 3.82%.
Wednesday, Sept. 16
Gov. Beshear announced 776 new cases of coronavirus in Kentucky, bringing the state's total to 58,764. Eight additional people have died.
The governor also announced the White House's updated list of "red zones," which are counties with a 10% positivity rate or higher. For the first time since giving reports, Beshear said Jefferson and Fayette counties were not considered red zones.
The two counties, along with Bullitt, Hardin, Oldham, Spencer and other nearby counties, were listed in the "yellow zone" with a positivity rate between 5-10%. Warren, Christian, Laurel, Green, Union, Lewis, Logan Grayson, Monroe, Russell, Trigg, Marshall and Livingston counties were red zones.
Tuesday, September 15
Kentucky has reported 745 new cases of COVID-19 with 95 of those cases found in those 18 and younger.
Jefferson County has 131 of those new cases.
Gov. Andy Beshear said the positivity rate has dipped below 4% with current rate now standing at 3.97%.
Nine more Kentuckians have passed away from the virus, bringing the total to 1,074 lost.
Gov. Beshear has also revised guidelines for bars and restaurants. With the start of sporting events, the governor said facilities were asking to extend their hours.
The closure of bars has been moved from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
All facilities must finish up and be closed by midnight, according to Beshear.
Gov. Beshear said the White House wanted the state to close bars completely in red counties and have restaurants open at 25% capacity.
He said officials were trying to safely exceed that and to keep people from having house parties.
He added that as the night goes on, people have the tendency to get more laxed and they’re trying to find a happy medium.
Monday, September 14
Gov. Andy Beshear has announced 342 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the current statewide total to 57,282 cases.
Fifty-four of the cases were found in the 18 and under demographic.
Gov. Beshear also announced 5 new deaths which includes a 49-year-old from Shelby County. The total of Kentuckians lost to the virus jumps up to 1,065.
The positivity rate for the state is 4.17%
Kentucky has also conducted more than a million COVID-19 tests.
State officials also announced that there would not be another recommendation post Sept. 28 on whether schools should open in-person instruction, virtual or hybrid.
Beshear also said there has been no recommendation on how families in Kentucky should handle Halloween. 'We're still thinking through Halloween," Besheard said when the question came up.
____
PPE donation: Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a big personal protective equipment (PPE) donation from Ford. Ford's Project Apollo is the work of some of company's top engineers and members of the United Auto Workers whose goal is to produce 100 million masks through 2021.
Ford, based in Michigan and operates the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
RELATED VIDEO: