FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Andy Beshear announced during his Thursday press conference that there are 199 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky and that the state's COVID-19 case total currently sits at 7,225.
Of the 7,225 individuals to test positive for COVID-19 in Kentucky, 2,712 have made a full recovery.
On top of the new cases, Beshear announced two new coronavirus-related deaths in Kentucky, bringing the state's coronavirus-related death total to 328. Both of the new coronavirus-related deaths came from Grayson County.
Travel, small group ban to be lifted May 22
Beshear also announced that groups no larger than 10 people can gather beginning on May 22. This means that Kentuckians will be allowed to gather in groups no more than 10 for Memorial Day weekend as long as they follow certain guidelines.
"Please, if you're going to have people over, follow it and do it," Beshear said of the guidelines. "It will help protect you during this."
The travel ban, which currently encourages people to not travel to or from different states, will expire on May 22.
Applying for Team Kentucky Fund
Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman also announced that applications for the Team Kentucky Fund will begin Friday morning at 8 a.m. Coleman said that if you're interested in applying, you can apply at teamkyfund.ky.gov. To qualify, you must have lost employment due to COVID-19 or a reduction of income of 50% or more due to COVID-19. This includes hours or wages.
"The assistance will be provided in the form of vouchers," Coleman noted. "Those vouchers can be used to pay for rent, mortgage, electricity, gas, water, food and groceries. There is a limit of up to $1,000 per household."
There is currently over $3 million in the Team Kentucky Fund. Donations can still be made at http://donate.ky.gov.
Testing expansion for COVID-19
New testing locations will open in Richmond, Mayfield, Louisville and Hartford next week. Information on how to register at more than 70 sites throughout the commonwealth can be found at kycovid19.ky.gov [lnks.gd].
“We now have the capacity to test more than the White House suggests we test every month to successfully reopen our economy in a slow, gradual, safe way. But to do that, we need you to sign up,” the Governor said. “The more we do this, the safer you are.”
