FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Andy Beshear announced during his Thursday press conference that there are 134 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky and that the state's COVID-19 case total is currently at 1,452.
Of the 1,452 individuals to test positive, 395 have fully recovered and 228 individuals are currently in the hospital, including 105 people in intensive care.
Beshear also announced six new coronavirus-related deaths in Kentucky, bringing the state's total to 79 coronavirus-related deaths.
Beshear and Chief of Staff La Tasha Buckner also announced a new executive order that allows temporary total disability payments to more categories of workers than previously before. Previously, workers such as first responders, healthcare workers, EMS and firefighters had access to the benefits. Under the new executive order, workers in child care, grocery, postal service, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, child advocacy workers, active National Guard, corrections officers and social workers will also have access to those benefits.
"This is a group of people that are on the frontlines as well," Buckner said.
Beshear also announced that Kentucky will close Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
"We're trying to keep as many of our state parks open for people to hike and get outside and get exercise. It helps with physical, emotional and intellectual health," Beshear explained. "But where we have seen crowds gathering away to where we know that we have to take action, and in those individual places we are taking action. Lets make sure that we are not using state parks to congregate. Everywhere we see that, we'll have to continue to take action."
