LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This blog will be updated daily with the latest information on COVID-19 in Kentucky. You can also see the newest stories in our Coronavirus section.
Sunday, May 3
5:21 p.m.
The governor says there has been a problem of people signing up for COVID-19 testing at Kroger sites but not showing up for the appointments. 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.”
Gov. Beshear noted that, despite the Ashland area being hit relatively hard by the coronavirus, there were still hundreds of available slots for testing this week.
“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 is available at kycovid19.ky.gov.
5 p.m.
Governor Andy Beshear didn't hold a Saturday briefing but announced the new numbers for the state on Sunday.
Beshear said Kentucky saw 173 cases on Saturday and 5 deaths from the virus.
He says Sunday saw 80 new cases and no deaths reported.
Kentucky now stands at 5,130 cases.
Beshear says 58,408 Kentuckians have been tested so far.
4 p.m.
Officials have confirmed two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and two deaths. Mayor Greg Fischer says the total count for Jefferson County stands at 1,412 total cases and 98 deaths.
Saturday, May 2
4:00 p.m.
Mayor Greg Fischer has confirmed 48 new cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County, bringing the total to 1,413 cases. He says no new deaths were reported Saturday. That total stands at 96.
There have been 21 new recoveries and that total is 719..
Friday, May 1
5 p.m.
Kentucky confirms 177 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 4,879. Eight more deaths were reported, bringing that total to 248. 1,752 people in Kentucky have recovered from the virus.
4 p.m.
Louisville confirms 90 new cases of COVID-19 and 5 more deaths attributed to the virus. Jefferson County's total number of cases is 1,365.
Mayor Fischer extended the city's state of emergency through June 1 with an executive order.
3 p.m.
Kentucky Air National Guard begins flyovers to honor COVD-19 frontline workers. The demonstrations are part of Operation American Resolve, a nationwide salute to all those supporting COVID-19 response efforts.
Thursday, April 30
6 p.m.
Churchill Downs announced the 2020 Spring Meet will begin May 16 with no spectators. They will operate under the strict guidance given by the state in Phase 1 of the Healthy at Work initiative.
5 p.m.
Kentucky will be working with Battelle CCDS for PPE decontamination. Used PPE will be mailed in, decontaminated and shipped back to healthcare providers.
Public pools in Kentucky will not be able to reopen anytime soon. State officials say it is not safe to do so yet.
SNAP benefits can be used for eligible online grocery orders for Amazon and Walmart.
The Office of State Budget is predicting a significant budget shortfall for next year. Beshear said he will discuss it in more detail tomorrow.
Kentucky confirmed 174 new cases, bringing the state total to 4,708, and 1,675 people have recovered. The total number of people tested for the virus is now 56,511. Five more people have died, bringing the total number of deaths to 240.
Wednesday, April 29
5 p.m.
Gov. Beshear gave more details about what Phase 1 of Healthy at Work will look like. There will be 10 rules for businesses to reopen:
- Continue telework where possible
- Phased return to work
- Onsite temperature and health checks
- Universal masks and other necessary PPE
- Close common areas
- Enforce social distancing
- Limit face-to-face-meetings
- Sanitizer and hand wash stations
- Special accommodations
- Testing plan
May 11 | the following may start reopening with the above guidelines:
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Vehicle of vessel dealerships
- Professional services (50%)
- Horse racing (no fans)
- Dog grooming and boarding
May 20 | the following may open with reduced capacity:
- Retail
- Houses of worship
May 25 | the following may begin:
- 10 person social gatherings
- Barbers, salons, cosmetology businesses and similar services
The state confirmed 184 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 4,539. Ten more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 235. The total number of people who have recovered from the virus in Kentucky is 1,661, and 54,101 people have been tested so far.
4 p.m.
Louisville confirmed 37 new cases, bringing the total to 1,226. Five more people have died, bringing the total number of deaths to 89. A total of 606 people in the city have recovered from the virus so far.
Mayor Fischer said about 4,000 people have signed up for the 30 upskilling challenge announced earlier this month through the Future of Work Initiative. Of those participating, around 60% are women and 20% are African American.
Tuesday, April 28
5:30 p.m.
Officials have confirmed 230 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky. The state has now confirmed 4,375 cases. Gov. Beshear also confirmed 12 new deaths, bringing that total to 224.
4 p.m.
As of Tuesday, there have been 70 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Louisville, bringing the total to 1,189, with 565 recoveries. There has been one additional death since Monday, bringing the Louisville total to 84.
Gender/Age data for today’s deaths:
- Male/69
Currently, 38 members of LMPD, Louisville Fire, Metro EMS, Metro Corrections and the Sheriff’s Office are off-duty due to COVID-19:
- 7 are off with positive tests and in self-isolation.
- 15 are off and quarantined due to exposure to someone with a positive test.
- 16 are “screened off” with symptoms and tested, or due to be tested, but have not received test results.
Positive test numbers for first responders/public safety since the incident began:
- 17 positive tests.
- 10 have fully recovered and returned to duty.
Metro Corrections inmate data for April 28:
- 107 inmates have been tested.
- 0 positive tests.
- 7 tests are pending.
8 a.m.
Norton Women's and Children's Hospital is taking down its triage tent, saying it believes that the need for them has subsided. The tents were set up near the end of March to prepare for a possible surge of COVID-19 cases in Louisville. The tent at Norton Audobon Hospital is expected to come down on Thursday.
If case numbers start to increase, the hospital will put the tents up again.
Monday, April 27
5:41 p.m.
Governor Beshear says Kentucky now has 87 new cases of coronavirus in Kentucky. This brings the statewide total to 4,146. He says 5 more people have also died from the virus. That total for the state is 213.
The deaths include a 73-year-old man from Fayette County; two women, ages 81 and 88, from Hopkins County; and a 90-year-old woman from Jefferson County. A 62-year-old man from Jefferson County who also died is listed as the probable case.
5:31 p.m.
The governor says by May 11, he’s asking everyone in essential businesses and every area that reopens to wear masks. Beshear says it will help reduce the spread of the virus when Kentuckians increase contacts.
Dr. Stack and the governor also announced a four-phase approach in reopening health care services in Kentucky. The first phase began Monday with the next one scheduled for May 6, May 13 and finishing up by May 27.
As of Monday, dental offices were allowed to reopen under Phase 1, provided they follow certain protocols and have the proper equipment to do so. The Board of Dentistry, along with the Kentucky Dental Association, Kentucky Dental Hygienists’ Association and a number of other groups have developed the following guidelines for safely operating dental offices under Phase 1.
Beshear says he will detail more plans in revealing when other industries will reopen.
5:10 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear says 150,000 claims were processed that were held up. He says $174 million went out Sunday night. Most of those payments were for people who had already qualified but hadn’t received it.
He says in March, 283,000 claims were filed and 183,000 claims have been filled so far.
They’re expecting 30,000 claims from March will be paid out this week.
4 P.M.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer confirms as of April 27, 1,119 confirmed cases, 83 total deaths, and 541 recovered.
- 27 New COVID-19 Cases
- 1 New Death of a 90+ individual
- 22 New Recovered patients
- Mayor Greg Fischer debuts new song for the city of Louisville called " Lift up Louisville"
2:46 a.m.
About ten soldiers from Fort Campbell were sent to aid pandemic relief efforts in New Jersey. Nearly 400 soldiers have been previously deployed from the post to help in the northeast, according to the Associated Press.
Find previous Kentucky updates here.
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