FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 8, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continued efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“I hope you had a good Fourth of July weekend, but I hope it was safe, and it’s important that it was safe, because while we have been at a plateau in Kentucky, really for several weeks, over the last four to six days we are seeing larger numbers,” said Gov. Beshear.

The Governor reminded everyone that his next press briefing will be tomorrow, July 9, at 4 p.m. EDT, and he also announced an additional press briefing for Friday, July 10, at 4 p.m. EDT.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. July 8, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 17,919 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 402 of which were newly reported Wednesday.

“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 Gov. 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.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported six new deaths Wednesday, raising the total to 608 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Wednesday include a 72-year-old man from Casey County; a 67-year-old man from Fulton County; two women, ages 73 and 77, and a 61-year-old man from Jefferson County; and a 74-year-old woman from Perry County.

“That is far too many Kentuckians to lose, and we’ve got to do everything we can to minimize our loss moving forward,” said Gov. Beshear.

As of Wednesday, there have been at least 451,451 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. At least 4,912 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.

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 daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at tinyurl.com/kygovespanol (Spanish) and tinyurl.com/kygovtranslations (more than 20 additional languages).

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 7, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continued efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“This remains a very serious global health challenge. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s foremost infectious disease expert, said only yesterday that we are ‘still knee-deep in the first wave’ of coronavirus infections here in the U.S.,” the Governor said. “The number of positive cases has been rising across the nation. Although eventually there will be a vaccine, we need to be mindful that it will not be perfected or ready to distribute anytime soon. We therefore must remain vigilant to protect the most vulnerable among us.”

The Governor reminded everyone that his next press briefing will be held Thursday, July 9, at 4 p.m. EDT.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. July 7, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 17,519 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 371 of which were newly reported Tuesday.

“Today is a tough day in our fight against the coronavirus. While we’ve long noted that case numbers fluctuate due to differences in reporting – and that weekends often see lower tallies that sometimes catch up during the week – today’s numbers are cause for serious concern,” the Governor said. “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.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported nine new deaths Tuesday, raising the total to 602 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Tuesday include a 78-year-old man from Jefferson County; a 52-year-old man from Kenton County; two women, ages 86 and 96, and two men, ages 85 and 95, from Knox County; a 70-year-old woman from Logan County; a 64-year-old woman from Mason County; and a 62-year-old man from Monroe County.

“There’s nothing more important to me than protecting the lives of Kentuckians and there’s nothing more difficult in this job than knowing that despite every effort we still have lost more than 600 of our fellow citizens to this deadly virus,” the Governor said. “Let’s light up our homes and businesses green to show our compassion for these folks, their families and their communities.”

As of Tuesday, there have been at least 445,196 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. At least 4,841 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.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 3, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continued efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“This 4^th of July weekend, it’s important to keep in mind how committed Kentuckians have been to combatting COVID-19, which spreads easily and quickly between people. Kentuckians’ selflessness was demonstrated over Passover/Easter weekend and again over Memorial Day weekend,” said Gov. Beshear. “This weekend, we have another opportunity to show care and consideration for our fellow Kentuckians, especially those at higher risk for severe illness and even death. Let’s be the best Kentuckians that we are capable of being. Let’s all commit to doing our part to ensure a safe and healthy Independence Day weekend for all.”

The Governor said Kentucky and America are at war with the coronavirus.

“This week, the United States posted a single-day high of over 50,000 new positive cases,” the Governor said. “States across the country are seeing dangerous surges, including Arizona – a state one and a half times larger than us – which saw 88 people die on Tuesday alone. And today, we learned 300 children in Texas day cares have contracted the virus. Everyone must take this virus seriously and follow safety precautions in order for us to continue reopening.”

The Governor also added that his next press briefing will be held on Thursday, July 9, at 4 p.m. EDT, not Tuesday, July 7, as was previously planned.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. July 3, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 16,376 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 299 of which were newly reported Friday.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported four new deaths Friday, raising the total to 585 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Friday include a 70-year-old man from Fayette County; 89- and 91-year-old women from Shelby County; and a 107-year-old woman from Jefferson County.

“The loss of these Kentuckians is sorely felt,” Gov. Beshear said, adding that the red, white and blue decorations ordinarily seen this time of year should be joined by green lights as homes and businesses are lit to honor the memory of Kentuckians who’ve been lost to COVID-19.

As of Friday, there have been at least 430,071 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. At least 4,747 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 1, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday updated Kentuckians on the commonwealth’s continued fight against the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Kentuckians have risen to the challenge as heroes in this test of a lifetime,” said Gov. Beshear. “You continue to put others first, even if it means a little inconvenience and discomfort. And as we’ve seen from other states experiencing spikes in cases right now, rising to the challenge is our only option. We simply cannot overwhelm our hospital system and risk the lives of our frontline health care professionals who have already sacrificed so much.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. July 1, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 15,842 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 220 of which were newly reported Wednesday.

“We’ve got to keep these case numbers under control,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’re doing a good job, but we’ve got to work even harder. We can’t let our guard down when an invisible enemy is still out there.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported seven new deaths Wednesday, raising the total to 572 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Wednesday include an 89-year-old woman from Fayette County; an 88-year-old man from Jackson County; a 63-year-old woman and 86- and 97-year-old men from Jefferson County; a 54-year-old man from Oldham County; and a 94-year-old woman from Shelby County.

“Each one of these folks was special. Each one of them won’t get to see their friends, their neighbors, their kids and grandkids anymore,” said Gov. Beshear. “We cannot let this become the new normal. I’m heartbroken for these families.”

As of Saturday, there have been at least 411,217 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. At least 4,052 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.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 26, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday updated Kentuckians on the state’s marathon battle against the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Kentuckians have what it takes to move into a new normal,” said Gov. Beshear. “It will be tough, but we can do it. Just remember: hands, face and space. Wash your hands, wear a mask on your face and stay six feet apart from other people.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. June 26, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 14,859 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 256 of which were newly reported Friday.

“The simple preventative steps we all know about – wearing masks, social distancing and washing your hands – can prevent our neighbors and family members from getting sick,” said Gov. Beshear. “Never before in my lifetime have such small actions had this much power to save lives.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported seven new deaths Friday, raising the total to 553 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

“The people we’ve lost are why we have to keep up the fight for as long as this virus is out there,” said Gov. Beshear. “We owe it to each of them to do continue doing everything we can to make a difference.”

The deaths reported Friday include a 90-year-old woman from Clark County; 85- and 88-year-old women and an 83-year-old man from Jefferson County; a 47-year-old man from Monroe County; and 92- and 97-year-old women from Warren County.

As of Friday, there have been at least 383,636 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. At least 3,730 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.

Long-Term Care Visitation Update
Yesterday, Gov. Beshear announced that starting Monday, June 29, the state will resume visitation at assisted living and personal care homes; group activities (10 or fewer) in facilities; communal dining; and off-site appointments.

Starting July 15, visitation will resume in nursing homes and in Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IIDs).