In the midst of the covid-19 pandemic it’s important to make sure you get your information from reliable sources. For state news, a good source is to listen to Govenor Andy Beshear’s daily news confrence at 5pm. Monday’s news conference brought Kentucky past two major milestones in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kentucky Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard lists a total of 2,048 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 104 deaths. That’s an increase of 87 cases and seven new deaths from Sunday’s total. The governor confirmed those totals during the news conference.
That data points are a respite from last week’s updates – during which Kentucky surpassed multiple records for one-day case increases – though, the governor said the totals may be lagging behind due to possible underreporting from some labs over the weekend.
Thirty of Kentucky’s deaths stem from long-term care facilities. 182 residents and 117 staff members have contracted the virus, according to the news conference. It is not clear if those numbers include Jackson Manor in Annville. The nursing home reported 40 cases last week.
The governor urged Kentuckians to fill out their 2020 census forms, as the data gained from the census will likely help the state earn grants to assist in pandemic recovery.Recent data shows Eastern Kentucky is lagging behind in filling out census forms.
Eastern Kentucky’s response rate is only 34.9 percent compared to the state rate of 47.5 percent.
If you have any questions about the coronavirus in Kentucky, call the state COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-722-5725.
Yesterday Governor Andy Beshear also ordered flags to fly at half-staff for one week to honor the more than 100 Kentuckians who have died due to COVID-19.
“I am ordering that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff beginning tomorrow morning and remaining that way until we get through this,” Gov. Beshear said. “Each Kentuckian lost to the coronavirus is someone’s mother or father; someone’s child; someone’s significant other – someone loved by their family and friends. Paying tribute in this fashion is just one more way we, as a commonwealth, can collectively mourn the loss of these members of our community.”
Flags at state office buildings should be lowered to half-staff starting at sunrise on Tuesday, April 14 and remain that way until sundown on Monday, April 20.
Beshear also encourages people, businesses and organizations in Kentucky to do the same.