LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
Sunday, May 10
4:10 p.m.
Jefferson County has picked up an additional 17 cases of COVID-19, according to Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher. The mayor also confirmed one additional death.
So far Louisville/Jefferson County has 1,648 cases and 118 deaths from the virus.
995 people have recovered.
Saturday, May 9
6:00 p.m.
There will not be a press conference on Sunday. All Sunday numbers will be released during Monday's press conference.
5:40 p.m.
During a question and answer session, Gov. Beshear was asked about hospitals allowing visitors. He says on May 13, a single visitor will be allowed per patient or depending on the hospital's policies.
5:30 p.m.
Beshear spoke briefly about the court overturning ruling in favor of in-person worship services. He says guidelines originally set for May 24 have now been changed to go into effect today.
"We never set out to stop anything specific to religion," he said.
He urged churches to make sure they're ready before opening on Sunday.
5:20 p.m.
Governor Andy Beshear has confirmed 158 new cases of coronavirus in Kentucky. The state now stands at 6,440 cases overall. He says 6 more people have died from the virus. That total is 304.
The governor says 86,900 people in Kentucky have been tested but believe the numbers could be higher due to all numbers not being reported.
Other numbers:
- Total number ever hospitalized: 1,757
- Currently hospitalized: 394
- In ICU: 226
- Recovered: 2,308
4:05 p.m.
Mayor Greg Fischer says Jefferson County has seen 39 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,631. He also announced two deaths, bringing it to 117 deaths in all.
Of those deaths are a 50-year-old male and a 63-year-old male.
The mayor says 42 more people have recovered. So far 991 have recovered from the virus.
Friday, May 8
5 p.m.
Governor Andy Beshear is reporting 176 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky and 4 deaths with 86,428 total tested.
- 298 total deaths in Kentucky.
- 6,288 total positive in Kentucky
- 2,266 total recovered
The deaths include a 90-year-old woman from Edmonson County, a 90-year-old woman from Hopkins County, a 69-year-old man from Jefferson County, and a 75-year-old man from Bullitt County.
“This number is a lot lower than yesterday, which is good, but these are four individuals we’ve lost and these are four families that need our support, so let’s make sure we light our houses up green and ring our bells at 10 a.m.,” said Gov. Beshear. “These are families that are counting on us.”
The Governor outlined the requirements to begin reopening major segments of the economy and society including houses of worship, manufacturing, construction, government offices and agencies, retail and funeral services.
Gov. Beshear also announced that government offices and agencies can open on May 18 and funeral homes can open on May 20.
“I believe that the healthiest economy coming out of COVID-19 is going to be the one that can keep the virus contained while they successfully reopen,” said Gov. Beshear. “Remember, listen to your faith leader. If they tell you that they're not ready and that they don't think that it's safe, then you should wait.”
The full plans for those entities to reopen is posted online at healthyatwork.ky.gov.
All businesses should follow the 10 rules of staying healthy at work as well as industry-specific guidance, which will be issued as soon as possible. See the full reopening schedule here.
Thursday, May 7
5 p.m.
Governor Andy Beshear is reporting 208 new cases of COVID-19 cases in Kentucky and 11 new deaths. Eight of those deaths are from long-term care facilities.
The deaths include a 94-year-old man from Butler, a 97-year-old woman from Edmonson, an 89-year-old man from Edmonson, an 80-year-old woman from Edmonson, an 86-year-old man from Edmonson, a 62-year-old man from Butler, a 73-year-old man from Warren, a 92-year-old man from Edmonson, a 78-year-old man from Jefferson, an 87-year-old woman from Grayson and a 66-year-old man from Hardin.
“Each one is more than an age, a gender, a county, even though that is the information we read every day. These are 11 Kentuckians we have lost, 11 families that are grieving,” Gov. Beshear said. “They are going to have to go through this at a time when they can’t grieve a normal way.”
The Governor says 78,603 people have been tested in Kentucky and 2,125 have recovered. 5,934 people total have tested positive for COVID-19.
Phase 2 will begin on May 22 with restaurants opening at 33% capacity and unlimited outdoor seating if they have the spacing that's needed. Gov. Beshear partnered with the Ohio governor on the restaurant decision. This will allow restaurants to be open for Memorial Day.
“That is when we are opening our restaurants on a limited inside capacity plus unlimited outdoor seating if they can get the spacing that is needed,” Gov. Beshear said. “This allows restaurants to be open for Memorial Day weekend, but please be careful.”
On June 1, Gov. Beshear is expecting Movies and fitness gyms to reopen slowly.
- June 11 Camp Grounds are expected to reopen (low touch and outdoors.)
- June 15 Childcare and youth sports are slowly expected to open.
Phase 3 is expected to begin in July according to Gov. Beshear with groups of 50 people.
Gov. Beshear also announced a new partnership with a testing company called First Care Clinics. This clinic will specialize in testing for those going back to work and testing at work. Kentucky now has the capacity to now test 30,000 people a week.
Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), said the Bluewater Diagnostics Laboratory can now provide testing throughout Kentucky and in a variety of locations. The lab runs two drive-thru testing sites in Bullitt and Johnson counties, as well. To contact Bluewater Diagnostics about testing options, call 502-538-2980 or email cs@bluewaterdxlab.com.
Gov. Beshear announced today that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has been awarded nearly $22.9 million for relief of public transit agencies that have been hit hard by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. A list of the transit agencies, amounts of potential awards,and areas of service is available here.
FEMA is coordinating two shipments totaling a 14-day supply of personal protective equipment to all 15,400 Medicaid and Medicare-certified nursing homes. The shipments are meant to supplement existing efforts to provide equipment to nursing homes.
Gov. Beshear also announced that Kentucky will receive $10.3 million for 25 health centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Centers will use this funding to expand the range of testing and testing-related activities to best address the needs of the local communities. For more information, click here.
Wednesday, May 6
5 p.m.
Gov. Beshear confirms 159 new cases and 8 new deaths.
- 78,603 people have been tested in Kentucky.
- 108 total deceased
- 863 total have recovered from COVID-19, 32 New has recovered.
Kroger has announced more testing sites across Kentucky that you can now apply for over the next two weeks. Make an appointment here: krogerhealth.com/covidtesting
Gov. Beshears's travel ban has also been blocked by a federal judge.
Tuesday, May 5
5:30 p.m.
UNEMPLOYMENT
The Kentucky Education-Workforce Development says changes are coming to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
- The minimum weekly benefit has been reduced from $180 to $176
- You now have to request benefits online every two weeks
- You have to submit 2019’s wage history to calculate benefits
- Account summary will be updated
- Report wages as soon as you return to work
- Update with your return to work date.
For more information, click here.
5:18 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear has confirmed the state's largest number of COVID-19 cases with 625 cases. He explained 309 of those numbers were from the Green River Correctional Complex in Central City (Muhlenberg County). The governor said most of the cases from the jail were asymptomatic.
Kentucky now stands at 5,822 confirmed cases.
Beshear also confirmed 14 new deaths, with one of the cases being a 35-year-old from Jefferson County. So far, 275 Kentuckians have died from the virus.
Other breakdowns include:
- 349 currently hospitalized (189 in ICU – number up 10 from Monday)
- 2,058 Kentuckians are on the mend from the virus
GREEN RIVER INFO
Executive Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown discussed Green River numbers saying they had their first positive case on March 25 with a staff member and then on April 5 an inmate testing positive. Brown says 1,081 have been tested with 1,029 of the results from inmates and staff are in. He says they almost have a complete snapshot of the facility.
They are still reviewing plans to separate populations and waiting for 52 more results. Two inmates and two staff members are currently hospitalized. Green River has seen two deaths from the virus. They’re still trying to determine if a death over the weekend as a result of COVID-19.
4:55 p.m.
Mayor Greg Fischer confirms 55 new COVID-19 cases in Louisville / Jefferson County, bringing the total to 1,476. He says that 6 more people have died from the virus, totaling 108 so far.
The deaths include a 34-year-old male, two 90+-year-old individuals, an 89-year-old female, a 77-year-old female, and a 72-year-old female.
Sixty-four additional people have recovered from the virus. Officials say in all, 831 have recovered.
Monday, May 4
5:49 p.m.
Governor Beshear answered questions toward the end of his press conference. He was asked about Indiana opening sooner than Kentucky and said, “I talk to Gov. Holcomb every week, but at the end of the day, each of us is responsible for our own people.”
The governor believes Indiana is moving a little fast when it comes to some things but said he thinks less about the competitive disadvantages but more about health risks. He urged Kentuckians not to drive to other states because they’re a little earlier.
Beshear doesn’t believe the Midwest collaboration with other states has fallen through. He said they all have different experiences and coming to different conclusions. Beshear said each governor wants to do what’s best for their people.
5:45 p.m.
Governor Beshear confirmed 163 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky and 8 new deaths. The state totals are 5,245 cases and 261 deaths.
The governor says 60,046 people have been tested statewide.
Around 1,921 people have recovered from the virus.
5:22 p.m.
With the state's Healthy At Work initiative starting next week, The governor says masks will be part of the new normal. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Distillers association have teamed up to help businesses get PPE needed to reopen.
They have created two new websites where businesses can order.
5:13 p.m.
Governor Beshear says there will be 17 different drive-thru testing sites this week. Many of those began on May 4 through May 8.
"In our new normal, we have to have a lot of testing," Beshear said.
4:24 p.m.
Mayor Fischer says the One Louisville Fund has raised more than $10 million since it launched in March. The city has distributed $7 million to households, non-profits, arts programs, and others. He says the next round of grants will go out soon. If you want to donate or apply, click here for more information.
4:02 p.m.
Mayor Greg Fischer confirms 9 new cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County. That brings the current total to 1,421 cases. He reported 4 new deaths bringing that total to 102.
The mayor said there were 9 new positive cases among first responders since Friday. He said one case at Louisville Metro Police Department and 8 in the Department of Metro Corrections. Fischer said the city is seeing a significant spike among LMDC staff.
At least 131 inmates at Metro Corrections have been tested with all coming back negative.
Fifty people are currently hospitalized with 33 of those in ICU.
The county has tested 8,776 people.
Fischer also says they've seen a 32% reduction of inmates at LMDC. They were at 1,800 inmates but down to around 1,200 -- says they will further discuss this and public safety in a tele-town hall Tuesday morning.
3:32 p.m.
Officials with the North Central District Health Department say they have confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 -- two in Shelby County and one in Spencer County. Their district case count stands at 59.
They say three people who were monitored by the health department have been released from isolation.
_________
As of Sunday, May 3rd Kentucky surpassed 5,000 positive cases of coronavirus with a current total of 5,130. The number of deaths statewide is 253 Kentuckians.
Governor Andy Beshear says 58,408 Kentuckians have been tested so far.
There has been a problem of people signing up for COVID-19 testing at Kroger sites but not showing up for the appointments, Beshear announced. He says testing is available at sites, particularly in Ashland, Kentucky.
“There are still, coming up this week, spots available in our Kroger partnership,” the Governor said. “For this week, Ashland and the entire area around Ashland, you have a bunch more spots you can sign up for. We want to fill every one.”
“Please take advantage of it,” the Governor said. “Local leaders: Please reach out and push people to come and get tested.”
Gov. Beshear also highlighted other testing options around the state. Information about all coronavirus testing options. Here's a list of available places you can register for.
Click here if you're interested in donating to the Team Kentucky Fund.
Click here if you want to donate to the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund or apply for help.