FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky health officials announce coronavirus updates every weekday around 4 p.m. Gov. Andy Beshear gives a press conference once a week.
Sunday, July 12
4:45 p.m.
Kentucky continues to see an uptick in coronavirus cases. Gov. Andy Beshear’s office said an additional 277 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Sunday.
State officials compared cases reported from June 29 to July 5 with cases reported from July 6 to July 12 and they saw a 48.7% increase in positive cases.
Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s Department of Public Health commissioner, said the virus should and must be taken seriously.
“It is important for everyone to realize we all have a role in containing this disease, so hospital capacity remains at a manageable level. Kentuckians must stay committed to this very important effort.”
Three more deaths were confirmed Sunday including two men, a 71 and 87-year-old from Fayette County, and a 100-year-old woman from Shelby County.
Kentucky now stands at 625 people lost to the virus.
“It is our lives that are on the line and those of our loved ones. It’s $10 billion of our economy and whether or not businesses can stay open. It’s whether or not we can get our kids back to school,” Gov. Beshear said.
The governor continues to stress the importance of wearing a mask in public and said “we need the very best out of everyone” during these trying times.
Saturday, July 11
5 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear’s office has confirmed another 453 cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 19,121.
Dr. Steven Stack said in a news release the new cases released Saturday demanded serious attention.
Beshear issued a mandate for Kentuckians on Friday that masks should be worn in public to prevent further spread of the virus.
“Make sure your mask fits properly to protect individuals and others from getting sick. And, keep extra masks handy,” Dr. Stack said. “If you know you’re going to be outdoors in the heat or doing any kind of activity where you might work up a sweat, bring an extra face mask.”
Two new deaths were also reported including a 69-year-old woman and an 86-year-old man from Jefferson County. The total of deaths from COVID-19 now stands at 622.
Kentucky has tested 475,983 while at least 5,258 have recovered from the virus.
Friday, July 10
5 p.m.
Kentucky's mask mandate is in effect. Kentuckians are now required to wear face coverings in public for at least the next 30 days. Here is everything you need to know.
4 p.m.
Governor Beshear provided updated COVID-19 case totals. There are 426 new cases, bringing the state’s total to 18,670, and eight more deaths were confirmed. The governor believes that 426 is the second highest daily case total we have seen in the state so far.
As case numbers rise, the governor explained the importance of continued testing. So far, 470,548 tests have been administered in the state.
The governor reminded Kentuckians that the coronavirus does not just impact older people, saying many young children across the state have tested positive recently. He listed over a dozen children who have the virus, ranging in age from one month to five years.
Thirteen daycare centers in Kentucky have positive cases of COVID-19. Fifteen of those cases are in staff and seven are in children.
The governor said around 50% of calls to resolve unemployment claims are going unanswered. He urged people to pick up the phone and said to look for a call from the number 502-333-9130. This number cannot be called but will show up on your phone when the Kentucky unemployment office calls.
The Kentucky Correctional Institute for Woman has 176 positive COVID-19 cases. Five of those women are hospitalized and two are in the ICU. The entire population was retested, and 258 tests are pending.
Thursday, July 9
4 p.m.
Governor Beshear provided COVID-19 case total updates:
- 333 new cases
- 18,245 total cases
- 461,756 total tests
- 457 people currently hospitalized
- 105 people currently in ICU
- 4 additional deaths
- 612 total deaths
Beshear announced a mandate that will require everyone to wear masks in Kentucky's public spaces. Starting Friday, July 10 at 5 p.m., masks will be mandatory in places like retail stores, restaurants, gyms, government buildings and anywhere people are unable to stay 6 feet apart.
Wednesday, July 8
Kentucky reported 402 new COVID-19 cases and six additional deaths Wednesday. The state's totals have now reached 17,919 cases and 608 deaths.
The deaths include two women, ages 73 and 77, and a 61-year-old man from Jefferson County.
Beshear said he will be announcing new requirements Thursday due to the rise in cases.
“The rising case numbers are cause for concern, so tomorrow we’re going to announce some new requirements that are going to be mandatory,” said Beshear. “Given what we are seeing across the country with exploding numbers in certain places, my commitment is to make sure that doesn’t happen here, but I can’t do it alone."
Beshear's press conference will be at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7
Governor Andy Beshear has announced 371 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total to 17,519.
Beshear called Tuesday’s numbers a “tough day” in the fight against the virus but reminded Kentuckians how numbers fluctuate due to reporting differences and sometimes the lower numbers often seen through the weekend often rise during the week. He said the numbers are cause for serious concern.
“We have worked too long and hard, and sacrificed too much, to squander the gains we have made in this fight. However, the only way to secure our safety is to recommit ourselves to doing what we all know is required of us: washing our hands frequently, staying at least six feet from others, avoiding crowds, getting tested frequently and cooperating with contact tracers if they call with information,” he said.
Nine more people have lost their lives to the virus including a 78-year-old man from Jefferson County. 602 people have died in Kentucky overall.
Beshear’s office said 445,196 tests have been conducted in Kentucky with 4,841 recovering from the virus.
Monday, July 6
5 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 268 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 17,152 cases. Health officials previously reported 280 new cases Sunday and 255 new cases Saturday.
Beshear also announced eight additional deaths, including two women, ages 51 and 89, and a 90-year-old man from Jefferson County; an 88-year-old man from Nelson County; and a 96-year-old woman from Shelby County. In total, 593 Kentuckians have died from COVID-19.
As of Monday, there have been at least 435,471 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. At least 4,785 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
4 p.m.
The North Central District Health Department announced 110 new COVID-19 cases in Henry, Spencer, Trimble and Shelby County.
Of those 110 cases reported Monday, 92 were women at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women in Shelby County. Since June 15, the health department has reported 153 cases from the women's prison.
RELATED: Data Deep Dive: Hotspots in Kentucky
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