FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Andy Beshear announced during his Monday press conference that there are 87 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky and that the state's total number of cases is currently at 4,146. Beshear also announced there are five new coronavirus-related deaths in Kentucky, bringing the state's coronavirus-related death total to 213. One of the coronavirus-releated deaths occurred in Fayette County.
Of the 4,416 individuals to test positive, 1,521 have fully recovered. There are 313 individuals currently hospitalized for COVID-19 and 165 currently in ICU (Intensive Care Unit).
Beshear also announced that beginning May 11, everyone in areas that re-open and at essential businesses will need to be wearing a mask.
"We are going to need people to wear these (masks) to the grocery store or other places that they are going where there are other people," Beshear said.
Beshear also gave an update on the state's unemployment situation, saying that 150,000 unemployment claims paying out $74 million are going out now. Beshear added that he believes everyone who applied for unemployment in March will be taken care of by the end of the week.
Dr. Steven Stack spoke about Kentucky's health care and medical offices re-opening for elective and non-urgent procedures as part of Phase I of Kentucky's plan to re-open the entire state. Even though the number of new cases seems to declining, Stack recommended that Kentucky residents continue to practice social distancing.
“Just because the disease right now seems to be at a plateau, it is not time to feel that you are safe,” Stack said. “It’s not time to feel that this is not still a serious threat. This is exactly the time when we are at risk for the greatest harm if people start to get lax about complying with the things we ask you to do.”
Phase II is set to begin May 6, when outpatient and ambulatory and invasive procedures can resume. Phases 3 and 4 are currently scheduled for May 13 and May 27.
