The new cases include three in Calloway County, two in Lyon County, one in Caldwell, Christian, Graves, and Marshall Counties. Beshear also announced that seven more people have passed away after contracting the virus, bringing the total to 65. This includes two Lyon County women. One of the Lyon county deaths reported by Beshear was a resident of Rivers Bend and took place over the weekend, the other was not.
Beshear also announced a partnership with numerous hospitals, allowing the distribution of approximately 2,000 tests a day.
Dr. Steven Stack took to the stage to announce new testing criteria. Stack says there aren't enough tests for those that need it, therefore, anyone wanting a test will have to meet certain requirements. First, individuals will need to fall under one of the two tiers listed below. Second, they will need to have either a fever, shortness of breath, cough, or diarrhea. The two tiers are as follows:
Tier 1: Healthcare workers, first responders, anyone 60-years-old or older, or those living in a congregate setting.
Tier 2: Those with asthma, COPD, diabetes, liver disease, renal failure, or compromised immunity.
He announced new actions in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus within long-term care facilities. The new actions include the following:
1) Encouraging all residents to wear masks.
2) Cancel communal dining, social activities, and restricting the movement of residents within the facility.
3) Restrict non-essential personnel, volunteers, and visitors from entering.
4) Taking temperatures of residents daily, monitoring their health closer.
5) Have a low threshold for transferring ill residents to a higher level of care.
Beshear also spoke about health care workers that are leaving Kentucky to help COVID-19 victims in other states. Beshear pleaded with them to stay in Kentucky, mentioning that they are needed here and reminding them of the required 14 day quarantine upon return.
You can see Beshear's complete update below:
