FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Andy Beshear announced during his Thursday press conference that there are 208 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky and that the state's COVID-19 case total is currently at 6,129.
Beshear also announced that there are 11 new coronavirus-related deaths in Kentucky, bringing the state's coronavirus-related death total to 294.
Out of the 6,129 individuals to test positive for COVID-19 in Kentucky, 2,177 have fully recovered.
Beshear also announced that May 22 is the new target date for Phase 2 of reopening Kentucky to begin. This date is earlier than previously expected. Starting May 22, restaurants can open at 1/3 capacity and outside seating is unlimited if the restaurant can get the spacing that is needed.
"I know this isn't the capacity that our restaurants probably want, but studies that we look at show that we've got to be really careful about this step," Beshear said.
Also part of Phase 2 of the reopening Kentucky are movie theaters and fitness centers, which can expect to open back up on June 1. Campgrounds (June 11) and childcare and youth sports (June 15) are also part of Phase 2.
"While this is the schedule I want to make happen, one thing and one thing only sets the schedule in the end, and that is the coronavirus," Beshear said. "Any peak that we see, any cause of major concern, we are all going to have to be willing to pause."
