x
Breaking News
More () »

Real time updates | Everything we know about coronavirus and its impact in Kentucky, Indiana

“We are ready for this,” Gov. Beshear said. “We have been preparing with every minute that we have to make sure we can respond and respond appropriately.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sunday, March 15

Saturday, March 14

  • Governor Beshear's office now says two additional positive cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Fayette County, bringing the state total to 18.

Saturday, March 14: 

  • Governor Andy Beshear says the state now has 16 confirmed cases. The latest cases are in Jefferson County and Nelson County.

The totals so far by county:

Harrison: 6

Jefferson: 4

Fayette: 3

Bourbon: 1

Montgomery: 1

Nelson: 1 

  • According to governor, the Nelson County patient refused to self-quarantine after it was revealed the person's test was positive. He says officials worked to ensure that person got home. Of those who have the virus, Beshear says one of them was in "pretty bad shape" and may not make it.
  • He says their coronavirus hotline has received more than 2,000 calls. 

4 more cases of coronavirus confirmed in Kentucky, bringing statewide total to 18

Saturday, March 14: US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement regarding the House of Representatives legislation to assist economic fallout from coronavirus: 

“I applaud the additional steps President Trump announced today to continue fighting the coronavirus. The new emergency declaration will unlock even more resources and flexibility for the federal, state, and local officials working to protect American families.

“In parallel with our public health efforts, the American people also deserve swift assistance with the economic fallout from the virus.

“The rough draft that Speaker Pelosi published Wednesday night fell far short of what American families and small businesses deserve. I want to commend Secretary Mnuchin for his hard work over the past two days to improve it.

“Of course, Senators will need to carefully review the version just passed by the House. But I believe the vast majority of Senators in both parties will agree we should act swiftly to secure relief for American workers, families, and small businesses.

“I have canceled next week’s state work period so the Senate can work on this urgent legislation and reauthorize key national security tools that law enforcement need to keep us safe.”

Friday, March 13:  Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky may have three new coronavirus cases, which brings the COVID-19 total in Kentucky to 14: 6 cases in Harrison, 2 cases in Jefferson, 3 in Fayette, 1 in Montgomery County and 2 unknown.  

RELATED: Beshear: Kentucky may have 3 new COVID-19 cases

A 27-year-old in Harrison County who was the state's first confirmed positive case for coronavirus has been discharged from UK HealthCare. 

Several major events decide to cancel or postpone. Here's a list.

RELATED: List | Major events that are canceled or postponed in Louisville due to COVID-19

Area churches decide to not hold services amid the coronoavirus outbreak.

RELATED: Religious leaders cancel services amid COVID-19 concerns, some to keep houses of worship open

The Salvation Army is putting together boxes of food items for families and community members who are going to need food assistance over the next few weeks.

RELATED: Mayor Fischer, Salvation Army announce plans to make sure communities have food

The governor and attorney general warn about coronavirus scams already popping up in the state.

RELATED: Gov. Andy Beshear, Attorney General Daniel Cameron warns Kentucky about coronavirus scams

Some churches cancel their Friday fish fry, others have drive-thru or carry-out option.

RELATED: LIST | Louisville fish fries that have been canceled, or include drive-thru or carry-out options

Louisville Tourism says they're already looking at a loss of more than $7 million as groups cancel or postpone their events.

RELATED: Louisville Tourism taking financial hit amid COVID-19 concerns

Thursday, March 12: Jefferson County Public Schools, other major school systems decide to cancel classes at the school. Many will do online classes. City officials organize ways to make sure the children are able to get a hot meal while schools are closed.

Conference tournaments across the country canceled, including SEC and ACC.

Wednesday, March 11: The first and only person in Louisville diagnosed with the novel coronavirus is now out of the hospital.

"The Jefferson County resident that had been isolated in the hospital, is in good condition, and now he has been discharged and is isolated at home," said Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear.

RELATED: Person in Jefferson Co. with COVID-19 released from hospital to continue isolation at home

Some schools make the call to end classes at the schools and move learning to online.

In his morning news conference Governor Andy Beshear called on faith leaders to cancel weekend services in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, some churches are taking a different approach.

"We are not going to cancel services," lead pastor at Highview Baptist Church, Aaron Harvie said. “We are listening to the Governor's caution, but we feel like he has overreached.” There are three Highview Baptist Church campuses in Louisville. About 1500 people attend the service at the Fegenbush campus every Sunday.

RELATED: Despite Beshear's COVID-19 recommendation, some churches will still hold weekend services

Many of Kentucky colleges and universities decided to extend spring break or have online classes only.

Wednesday afternoon, the governor said there were no new confirmed cases of coronavirus to report. Jefferson County Public Schools was also at the news conference and said they aren't closing schools at this time, but are in position to do so if it comes to that.

RELATED: Everything we know about COVID-19 in Louisville

Other events affected by COVID-19:

RELATED: Louisville’s 47th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is postponed

RELATED: Coalition for the Homeless working to keep Louisville's homeless safe as coronavirus concerns grow

RELATED: Honor Flight Bluegrass postpones April flight due to veterans health concerns

RELATED: NCAA President: March Madness games will happen without fans in attendance

RELATED: Coronavirus live updates: WHO classifies coronavirus as a pandemic, Trump to address nation

Tuesday, March 10: Governor Beshear said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference, there are two more confirmed cases of coronavirus in Kentucky. The state now has a total of 8 positive cases. 

The two new cases are a 50-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman. Both are in home isolation, Beshear said. No details were released about them or how they contracted the virus.

Monday, March 9: Kentucky's total number of patients with COVID-19 has risen after Gov. Beshear announced two more people have tested positive for the virus, and said the number is "expected to grow."

The governor announced the new cases during a press conference Monday evening. The individuals who tested positive for the virus are in Harrison County and Fayette County.

The first case in Kentucky was confirmed in Harrison County late last week. Beshear said the first person who tested positive was a person who worked at a Cynthiana Walmart.

Beshear said there are now three cases in Harrison County, Kentucky. All three cases are linked, but not through Walmart. The first patient, Beshear said, is improving.

There are two confirmed cases in Fayette County, one 49-year-old man and another 47-year-old man. The person who tested positive in Jefferson County is a 69-year-old man who had recently traveled.

Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Eric Friedlander said the six case

Sunday, March 8: Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirms there are four confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. The first case was announced Friday, March 6 in Harrison County.

The three additional confirmed cases were announced Sunday evening. The latest cases are in Jefferson and Fayette counties with a second person diagnosed in Harrison County. All four patients are in isolation.

RELATED: 'We're going to get through this': Beshear gives update following first coronavirus case in Kentucky

Governor Beshear said the state has received results for 21 tests with 17 of those being negative. The Governor said additional positive tests should be expected.

“We are ready for this,” Gov. Beshear said. “We have been preparing with every minute that we have to make sure we can respond and respond appropriately.”

Gov. Beshear  announced Friday that Kentucky is now under a state of emergency

FACTS NOT FEAR

Friday, March 6, 2020 | First confirmed case of coronavirus in Kentucky announced by Gov. Andy Beshear at a 1:00 p.m. news conference.

The person who tested positive for COVID-19 lives in Harrison County. The person is currently receiving treatment at University of Kentucky's Chandler Hospital in Lexington.  

RELATED: First coronavirus case in Kentucky confirmed

Saturday, March 7 | Officials with Harrision Memorial Health in Cynthiana, Kentucky say the state’s first coronavirus patient didn’t meet the criteria for testing.  The patient had flu-like symptoms and didn’t meet KDPH’s health screening. The hospital treated the patient, but those symptoms never subsided. Further testing was conducted after the patient returned to the hospital.

Hospital officials said COVID-19 screenings have been in place since early January as mandated by the Centers for Disease Control. They say all patients at all points of entry are screened for the potential risk.

RELATED: Hospital officials say Kentucky's first coronavirus patient didn't meet criteria for testing

Sunday, March 8 | Three new confirmed cases announced in Kentucky. The latest cases are in Jefferson and Fayette counties with a second person diagnosed in Harrison County.

Louisville Mayor, Greg Fisher, says he doesn't have much information on the Jefferson County patient or how they may have contracted it. He is encouraging long-term care facilities to restrict visitors and encouraging people to work remotely if possible. If you feel sick, he suggests people stay home. 

Norton Healthcare announced late Sunday, they are treating a patient with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The patient is being treated at Norton Brownsboro Hospital. 

Hospital statement: "We are working closely with the Kentucky Department of Public Health (KDPH), Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, as well as Governor Beshear and Mayor Fischer.

The patient was tested for COVID-19 after arriving at Norton Brownsboro Hospital with respiratory symptoms. The KDPH notified Norton Healthcare of the presumptive positive test results Sunday evening, March 8."

Schools and nursing homes

Govenor Beshear announced Saturday that Harrison County Schools will be closed in for several days. He also recommended nursing homes should close to visitors in the coming days. Beshear said these steps are preventative for potential spread of the virus.  

RELATED: JCPS will have school Monday as county deals with first coronavirus case

RELATED: Kentucky school district closes after 2 cases confirmed in Harrison County

The risk for Kentuckains to contract the virus is still low, the governor said. 

"It's absolutely essential people remain calm. We're going to get through this. We've gotten through things just like this and even worse in the past," said Dr. Steven Stack, public health commissioner, Cabinet for Health and Family Services. "We'll all be okay when we get to the other end of this."

From the Experts

RELATED: 'There should be concern, but definitely not panic': Expert answers your top coronavirus questions

RELATED: This interactive map shows all reported coronavirus cases in the world

RELATED: Handwashing takes forefront as coronavirus concerns grow, but are you doing it correctly?

RELATED: Facts Not Fear | What you need to know about the COVID-19 outbreak

RELATED: What does it mean when the Governor declares a state of emergency?

RELATED: Beshear signs executive order prohibiting price gouging

Download the WHAS11 News app now for the latest information and updates. 

Apple iPhone users click here

Android Phone users click here

WHAS11 News is committed to reporting information about coronavirus in a responsible way, by giving context to information we pass on to you. This is why you'll see 'Facts Not Fear' as part of the header in many of our graphics and stories on all platforms.

Before You Leave, Check This Out