FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 21, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“We need two things as we go forward fighting COVID,” the Governor said. “We need that strength and endurance knowing that it is going to end and we’ve got to be strong enough to do the right thing until it ends. We also need to have flexibility, knowing that this virus can pop up in an area and absolutely take off.”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’

Gov. Beshear on Monday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.

1. Flu shots
   Gov. Beshear began Monday’s news conference by stressing the importance of all Kentuckians who are able receiving a seasonal flu shot do so. Because we are still engaged in a very active fight against the coronavirus, health experts are warning that a bad seasonal flu outbreak might spark a “twindemic” that could overwhelm health care systems.
   
   “This season, more than ever, we need to ensure that every Kentuckian who can gets that flu shot,” the Governor said. “We don’t want to be dealing with COVID-19 and a widespread flu outbreak this season.”
    
2. Voting and Census
   Gov. Beshear again encouraged all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by mail, in person during early voting or in person on Election Day and to fill out a U.S. Census form.
   
   “Remember, you have to register to vote by Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. local time,” the Governor said. “Democrats and Republicans have stepped up this year to come up with a plan to let you vote safely.”
   
   He reminded Kentuckians that if they have concerns about COVID-19, they can go online right now to request an absentee ballot at GoVoteKy.com.
   
   He spoke of the importance of every Kentuckian taking time to fill out a U.S. Census form, stressing the once-per-decade count’s link to funding for schools and child welfare.
   
   “We only have a limited number of days left to fill out the 2020 census. If we don’t fill this out, our dollars go to another state,” said Gov. Beshear.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 16, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“In general, what we are seeing is we still have higher case numbers than we would like to see, but we don’t at the moment see those accelerating from last week or the week before,” the Governor said. “We see our positivity rate coming down, and that is a good thing.”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.

1. CARES Act Funding for Eastern Kentucky
   Today, Gov. Beshear announced 18 Eastern Kentucky governments were approved for $2,789,546 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.
   
   “Our local governments have been important partners during our fight against COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear. “They have helped enforce guidelines, share information and keep Kentuckians safe. This funding ensures they can continue to do so while we remain diligent in our fight.”
   
   The governments approved for reimbursement are: Bath, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Knox, Leslie, Menifee, Owsley and Wolfe counties; Barbourville, Camargo, Clay City, Elkhorn City, Grayson, Manchester, Pineville, South Shore and West Liberty.
   
   This funding will be used to reimburse payroll expenses for public safety officials, PPE, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, teleworking equipment and other expenses necessary to combat COVID-19.
   
   For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
2. Direct Support Professionals Week
   Today, Gov. Beshear put a spotlight on Direct Support Professionals Week, which began Sept. 13 and runs through Sept. 19.
   
   “Today, we pause to honor the dedication of a very special group of front-line heroes. We recognize the important work direct support professionals, or DPSs, provide every day of the year to Kentuckians with disabilities,” the Governor said. “This year our direct support professionals have been called upon to meet the challenge of COVID-19. DSPs across the commonwealth have made personal sacrifices to both support and protect those they serve.”

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Sunday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather as we enter fall, but with this pandemic as deadly as ever and flu season beginning please take the essential steps to protect you, your loved ones and your community,” said Gov. Beshear. “As we saw Saturday with more than 1,000 cases, COVID-19 remains highly infectious, and we must be vigilant to prevent a spike that will claim even more Kentuckians.”

Case Information
As of 3 p.m. Sept. 20, Gov. Beshear announced at least 61,542 cases in the commonwealth, 439 of which were newly reported Sunday. Sixty-eight 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.

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.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 19, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“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%.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 19, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 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.

“Remember, high number of cases lead to a higher number of deaths several weeks down the line,” said the Governor. “Now that our kids are going to be going back to school in many places in some form or fashion, now that we have more sports, let’s make sure that we cut our contacts, wear our masks and socially distance. Let’s do better – everyone around us is depending on it.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported seven new deaths Saturday. The total number of Kentuckians now lost to the virus is 1,108.

"That’s seven additional families who are suffering during this time," said Gov. Beshear.

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.

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Our positivity rate has now dropped to 3.6%; that is our lowest rate in months,” said Gov. Beshear. “When we asked for people to push off in-person classes in our schools until Sept. 28, it was so we could get our positivity rate down to a safer level.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 18, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 60,128 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 777 of which were newly reported Friday. Ninety-seven of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 14 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 2 months old.

“The choices we make are going to determine how many people we lose going forward,” said Gov. Beshear. “There’s still so much work to do, and Kentucky lives are on the line.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported eight new deaths Friday, raising the total to 1,101 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Friday include an 85-year-old man from Bell County; a 96-year-old man from Christian County; a 96-year-old man from Fayette County; a 90-year-old woman from Greenup County; a 53-year-old man from Hopkins County; a 73-year-old woman from Laurel County; a 78-year-old woman from Pulaski County; and a 91-year-old woman from Scott County.

“This is tough news today,” said Gov. Beshear. “It only took 10 days for us to go from 1,000 deaths to over 1,100. This is why we’re working so hard to keep our case numbers down.”

As of Friday, there have been at least 1,115,105 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 3.60%, and at least 11,168 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

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. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Week in Review
For more information on this week’s updates, including those on CARES Act Funding for Northern Kentucky, Central Kentucky, Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky; Ford’s 2 million mask donation; new guidance on reopening schools; BUILD transportation grants; Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; Opioid Response Funding; new guidance for bars and restaurants; Direct Support Professionals Week; contact tracing; and the First Family highlighting the importance of getting flu shots, visit governor.ky.gov/news.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Visit the Governor’s Facebook page to watch today’s news conference

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“The end of this, once we survive it, is going to be an opportunity to write our future and write it in a way that we have always dreamed of. We do have to get through COVID, though,” said Gov. Beshear.

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman on Thursday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.

1. CARES Act Funding for Local Governments
   The Lieutenant Governor reminded Kentuckians that today, in collaboration with the Department for Local Government (DLG), Gov. Beshear announced 22 Western Kentucky governments were approved for $14,905,621 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.
   
   “As a rural Kentuckian, I know that communities big and small are what make Kentucky special,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman.
   
   “The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and our local governments are no exception,” said Gov. Beshear. “These reimbursements from the CARES Act will help alleviate some of the strain on their budgets and ensure they can provide necessary services to our families.”
   
   DLG Commissioner Dennis Keene expressed appreciation for local governments during unprecedented times.
   
   “We appreciate everything our local governments have done during the pandemic to keep Kentuckians safe,” said Commissioner Keene. “And we are doing everything we can to ensure an efficient reimbursement process so our local governments can continue the fight against COVID-19.”
   
   To read the full release, click here.
    
2. Team Kentucky Fund
   Lt. Gov. Coleman also gave an update on the Team Kentucky Fund (TKF) today. She encouraged Kentuckians, especially from three specific regions, who have suffered financially due to COVID-19 to visit teamkyfund.ky.gov to apply for assistance.
   
   “There are three areas that have pots of money waiting and need applications from Kentuckians who qualify: They are the Owensboro area, the counties that surround Louisville and the Big Sandy area,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “To date, over $900,000 of aid has been given directly to Kentuckians through the TKF.”
   
   Tax-deductible donations to TKF can be made at donate.ky.gov. 100% of donations go directly to Kentuckians.