Gov. Andy Beshear announced 92 new cases of the novel coronavirus at his daily update Saturday, bringing the total in the commonwealth to 394.
That includes 10 cases confirmed in Hopkins County. County Health Department Director Denise Beach said the 10 patients have potentially exposed more than 100 people.
“This means that this is now a community-spread virus,” Beach said.
The other cases come from Boone, Boyle, Barren, Butler, Campbell, Carroll, Clark, Daviess, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grant, Jefferson, Kenton, Madison, McCracken, Mercer, Nicholas, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Warren and Washington counties.
Beshear said the new cases include a 1-year-old in Fayette County. He said approximately 64 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus so far.
Beshear also announced a partnership based on a federal disaster declaration issued this week. The declaration allows Kentucky to access 75/25% matching funds to cover costs related to the state health emergency operations center, purchasing equipment and temporary medical space.
Drive-thru coronavirus testing is set to begin in the commonwealth this week. Beshear said the facilities will initially have strict testing requirements.
(Jennie Stuart Health operates a drive-thru testing site at Express Lab on Eagle Way. It operates 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.)
A Mayfield church is also set to begin non-state supported drive-thru testing Monday for those 60 and older with symptoms of the virus. Beshear said he was not aware of the church’s slated testing, but warned all Kentuckians to conserve tests and personal protective equipment (PPE).
“If you’re gonna advertise a drive-thru test facility, make sure you’re very clear on who can come in to get that test,” Beshear said. “Let’s not create false hope while resources are still fairly small.”
Acting Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friendlander said two federal programs are receiving waivers from the federal government to eliminate in-person meetings. The Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as food stamps) will also receive benefit supplements to maximize the amount distributed.
As the number of cases in the commonwealth continues to rise, Beshear said Kentucky is still making strides toward flattening the curve. He said the rise in cases is a natural part of their eventual fall.
“We knew that there would be more cases,” Beshear said. “We knew that they would escalate.”
