Tuesday’s coronavirus update from Governor Andy Beshear reported 177 new cases in the commonwealth. Since the state’s first reported novel coronavirus infection, 3,192 Kentuckians have tested positive.

Seventeen new coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 171.

Thirteen of those deaths were connected to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

According to data provided by the Kentucky Department of Public Health, 650 coronavirus cases have been connected to nursing homes. 454 of those people are residents.

Despite the increasing death toll, Kentucky’s new case rate appears to have stabilized – at least for the time being. The commonwealth’s three-day average sits at 184.

One of the major benchmarks for reopening businesses around the state is a two-week decrease in newly reported cases.

Another benchmark is an increase in testing capacity.

An estimated 33,328 Kentuckians have received tests, though Gov. Beshear and Kentucky Public Health Director Dr. Steven Stack expect that number to drastically increase as new drive-thru testing centers open up around the commonwealth. Two of those facilities are in Somerset and Pikeville.

Since the first Kentuckian tested positive for the virus, 1,266 have recovered from the virus.

After the news conference concluded, health officials in Floyd County confirmed their sixth case, a 27-year-old woman. The Floyd County Health Department said that anyone who visited the Subway in Allen between April 16-17 should self-isolate for fourteen days.

Around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon, the Whitley County Health Department confirmed their eighth case.

A fifth case was also confirmed by health officials in Knox County.

If you have any questions about the coronavirus in Kentucky, call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-722-5725.

You can also find more information, including how to protect your family, by visiting Kentucky’s official COVID-19 website here.