Kentucky's total cases are now up to 15,842 and its death toll is up to 568. The daily report shows that 427 Kentuckians are currently hospitalized, with 73 in intensive care. The hospitalization number continues to rise; it is now the largest since June 11, when it was 514.
In November, eight of the 12 city council wards will have a contested race in addition to the mayor's contest in which Republican James R. Knight Jr. and Independent Walter Shamble will challenge Interim Mayor Wendell Lynch, a Democrat.
Until there is a vaccine, the rules are to keep your hands washed, stay six feet away from anyone who doesn't live in your home, get tested regularly and, most important, wear a mask when in public.
Beshear appointee Chris McNeill, the directing attorney of Paducah’s public defender office, will face Air Force veteran Jenny Hines in the general election.
State Rep. Charles Booker garnered a majority of votes in the state’s two most populous counties, Jefferson and Fayette. But McGrath cobbled together statewide support, winning a majority of Kentucky’s mostly rural counties.
The position of ranking member was vacant for months after former U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows left the position to become White House chief of staff. Comer has served on the committee during his tenure, including as ranking member of the Environment Subcommittee.
Counties with more than five new cases Friday were Jefferson, 53; Fayette, 33; Warren, 29; Kenton, 17; Shelby, 9; Laurel, 8; Daviess, 7; and Mercer, 6.
Contact tracers will allow health department employees who have been reassigned to COVID-19 work to get back to their normal work in public health. But most of the new workers haven’t been hired yet, because officials expect a surge of cases when school begins.
Local election officials will continue scanning and tabulating absentee ballots. Results will be reported to the Kentucky Board of Elections by June 30.
Final results of the election will be released in coming days as officials count mail-in ballots, which all Kentucky voters had the opportunity to cast this year in an effort to reduce exposure to the coronavirus.
